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| Adam Gilchrist with wife Mel and children (from left) Annie, Harrison and Archie after Australia and India drew their final Test in Adelaide on Monday. (Reuters) |
Adelaide: Adam Gilchrist broke down when he thanked his three kids for their love and understanding but, otherwise, the wicketkeeper-batsman who reinvigorated cricket (actually, he redefined so much) was an absolute pro on his last day as a Test cricketer.
Besides interacting generally with the media, Gilchrist briefly spoke exclusively to The Telegraph too.
Incidentally, in what was a first, Gilchrist’s family (immediate and extended) lined the back of the media centre during the Q&A session.
The following are excerpts
On what stands out as he reflects on his career
The first thing would be the camaraderie in the team... The passion and pride of being in that team... I believe the way that legacy is passed on from generation to generation is the most glowing strength of Australian cricket... I’m seeing this happening in other countries as well... I’m not saying they lacked pride before, but they’re making the world aware of it... Teams are getting strength from that passion and pride.
On whether, at any time, the emotional response from across the world to his decision to quit tempted him to reconsider
(Grins) Not at all... It’s been a great few days since I got that clarity in the mind... I wasn’t trying to fool anybody by saying I’d carry on for another 12 months... I’d been considering giving up one-day cricket after this summer and, then, trying to get a bit more Test cricket in... But once that clarity came, I knew the time was right.
On that moment of clarity
Somewhere between the Brett Lee ball hitting my gloves and hitting the ground... It was the (V.V.S.) Laxman edge in the first innings here... I don’t want to sound melodramatic, but it’s amazing the way things happen... I don’t think anyone in this room has missed the fact that I missed a few catches in this series... It puzzled me and I wasn’t quite sure why... I was working hard, but when I watched that replay, I realised I’d been slow in my movement... It made me realise in the ensuing 10-15 minutes that that’s it... I wasn’t moving quite as well, not only out in the middle but at training too... I realised that I didn’t have the absolute desperation you need to continue to maintain your standards... I was enjoying the role of a senior in the team, I was enjoying playing, but didn’t have that desperation... I’d lost that absolute desperation... What contributed was new members cropping up in my immediate family every few years and in my extended family... There’s more on my mind and, after discussing with (wife) Mel that night, I realised it was time to go.
On whether he’ll be able to focus on the one-off Twenty20 and the tri-series, so soon after an overwhelming few days
I’m really looking forward to the next month... Glenn McGrath had announced he’d retire after the last World Cup and, so, he knew there was a finish line... He was relaxed and won the Player of the Tournament... I’m not making predictions, but I’m excited about the tri-series... One-day cricket gave me opportunities... Allowed me to make a statement in the world of cricket and, so, it’s nice that I’ll be bowing out in that form instead of having extended my Test career... Right now, I’m going to enjoy this moment with the family and then knuckle down to what’s coming up.
On whether cricket today is stronger than when he made his debut (first in the ODIs, 1996)
I don’t like to compare eras... Am not sure on that.
On the one special memory
India, 2004-05... The moment Ricky (Ponting) got injured during the Champions Trophy which preceded that tour, I realised I’d be offered the reins... I got a bit nervous and had a few self-doubts, but things went well and we won that (four-Test) series... The tour had an amazing build-up and there were big expectations... I regard that as my highest achievement.
On moments of self-doubt
There definitely are such moments in everyone’s careers... Tough times are there and it’s about how you get over them... You draw on your experience, draw on your teammates and, more so, draw on the love and support of family and friends... Fortunately, except for one brother (Glenn), who has been out of reach in Queensland, they’re all here... They’ve shared my journey.
On whether, given that there are quite a few older players in Team India too, the future of the India-Australia rivalry is in safe hands
Very much so... Brett Lee, for example, has been phenomenal this summer... We’ve lost Glenn and Shane Warne from the bowling stock, but Brett’s taken on the responsibility... Indeed, after unveiling a fast bowler in Ishant Sharma, the Indian team too has so much to look forward to... R.P. Singh continues to rise and Irfan Pathan has come back (into the Test XI)... Then, while I don’t see Virender Sehwag as a youngster, he’s back and has shown his experience... Hopefully, we can keep it a healthy rivalry.
On the fact that his retirement will also bring the curtain down on the era of walking
It’s not for me to tell anyone what to do or what not to do... It’s a personal decision... You’ve got to make a choice and stick with it. I certainly don’t have disrespect for the guys who don’t walk... It’s their choice and it’s part of the game.
On plans for the future
I’m not one hundred per cent sure what direction my life will take... I’ve been fortunate in having forged wonderful relationships with sponsors... I’d love to pursue those relationships... I’ve always wanted to offer them more than just a face to a product. Hopefully, there’ll be opportunities... Of course, there’ll be more time for the family.
On the Board of Control for Cricket in India-promoted IPL
I see that as an amazing entertainment package... I was a bit of a reluctant starter for the Twenty20, being a bit of a traditionalist, but over time I’ve realised that it’s an important part of the cricket structure now... I’ve heard guys talk about World Series Cricket and how exciting it was to be a part of that... I see this IPL situation being very similar to that... I’ve tried to be entertaining throughout my career, but I’ve done the real serious hard yards and enjoyed it all... The sweat and the tears...
On the pressure on his successor
We’ve got a guy (Brad Haddin) right at the peak of his game... He’s shown that he can handle international cricket... His glovework is outstanding and he’s going to make a real impression on the world stage... I don’t think there’s going to be more pressure... (After a pause) I’d looked at myself as fitting into an allrounder’s type of a role... I extended our batting line-up... Whatever the form of cricket, across the world, you’re now looking at allrounders... Guys who’ll do two things.
On whether he believes the world of cricket will remember him more for his batting rather than wicketkeeping
(Laughs) Yes, no doubt about that, but it’s fine... I’m not going to grumble about it... It’s just that I’ve always felt I had to defend my ’keeping a little bit... Maybe that’s because I wasn’t technically perfect or as amazing as some of the wicketkeepers we’ve had prior to me... But I was effective and did what I had to do. My batting’s been great fun... I’ve been amazed by the number of people who’re saying ‘thank you for the entertainment’... Actually, when you’re out in the middle, you don’t think that you’ve got to entertain or whatever... You just do what you’re supposed to do... I entertained because I’d myself been entertained while growing up... That inspired me... Yesterday (Sunday), I’d been overwhelmed and in wanting to entertain, ended up spooning a catch...
On where would he rank his 149 in last year’s World Cup final against Sri Lanka
It’s hard to rate individual milestones... The World Cup had been tough, but I got it right on the biggest day on the biggest stage... It had been tough as we’d just had our third child and, again, I had to leave Mel and the baby within five days... It had been a lonely and difficult time to get through... To pick myself up and play such an innings was special...
On whether, as stand-in captain, he regrets having declared (setting England a target of 315) at Headingley in the 2001 Ashes
No...
Finally, on how would he like to be remembered
(Emotionally) Well, I don’t know... I suppose as someone who gave everything to the team... That, probably, will be a nice way to be remembered.
