 Adam Gilchrist revolutionized the way cricket is played
28th Jan 2008 23:02 IST
Manish Kumar
In the 2001–02 season, during the First Test in Johannesburg against South Africa, Gilchrist broke the record for the fastest double century in Tests, requiring 212 balls for the feat.
This was eight balls quicker than Ian Botham's innings against India at The Oval in 1982.
The record lasted only one month, however, with New Zealand's Nathan Astle taking 59 balls less to reach the milestone against England in March 2002.
Gilchrist's attacking batting was an integral part of Australia's one-day success, and he was a part of the successful 1999, 2003 and 2007 Cricket World Cup campaigns and holds the unique record of scoring at least 50 runs in successive those World Cup finals.
In the 2007 World Cup final against Sri Lanka, Gilchrist scored 149 runs off 104 balls with thirteen fours and eight sixes, the highest individual score in a World Cup final, eclipsing his captain Ricky Ponting's score of 140 in the previous final.
It was not the amount of runs Gilchrist scored or the records he set behind the stumps but the way he achieved them that will leave a lasting impression.
Gilchrist undoubtedly is one of the greatest entertainers ever to grace a cricket ground anywhere in the world and the cricket world will be poorer for his retirement but it has been richer for having been able to witness his awesome skill with both bat and gloves.
Thank you for all the fireworks Adam. |
