Tuesday, March 4, 2008

We'll miss you, Gilli

This post is for a cricketer who retired from international cricket today. He played his last one day international against India today, a match his team lost.

Adam Gilchrist - a great wicketkeeper-batsman.

I've admired Gilchrist ever since the semi-final of the 2003 World Cup when Australia was playing Sri Lanka. Arvinda de Silva bowled to Gilchrist, the catch was taken by the wicketkeeper. Sri Lanka appealed for an 'Out'. The umpire, Rudi Koertzen, gave Gilchrist a 'Not Out'. However, Gilchrist walked. He stood by his principles and he walked. And since that day, I've been a fan!

I've never been one for stats, so I can't cite his statistics...how many catches he took behind the wicket, how many stumpings does he have to his credit, how many runs he made as a batsman etc. All I know is that he was a great opening batsman, and belonging to a side that doesn't believe in leaving the crease until they see the umpire's raised finger, I think he did a brave and admirable thing by walking. We've never heard him involved in any controversies either. His heart has always been in the right place. He's always put his game before everything else.

We'll miss you, Gilli, for your game & the gentleman quality you brought to the game of cricket.

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