Adam Craig Gilchrist (Gilly) (born 14 November 1971) is an Australian cricketer.
He is the vice-captain and wicket-keeper of the Australian cricket team. In One Day Internationals, Gilchrist opens the batting with his characteristic power hitting, while in Test matches he performs a similar role but at number 7. Gilchrist's batting is one of the most exciting things to watch in cricket of any form and he has a deserved reputation as one of the players who can change a game completely, often within a session. Gilchrist holds the highest strike rate (average runs per 100 balls faced) in Test history, scoring an average of 82 runs per 100 balls. In one day matches, this statistic is an electrifying 94.
Gilchrist has featured in two memorable innings in his career. The first was in only his second test match when, against Pakistan, he scored 149 not out to bring Australia to a memorable fourth-innings victory against incredible odds. Shortly thereafter, on tour in South Africa, he scored 204 in what was then record time. While the 200 barrier has never been broken in one day international matches, many experts believe that Gilchrist is one of the modern players most likely to achieve that feat.
In 2004, Gilchrist led Australia to their first Test series victory in India since 1969. Regular captain Ricky Ponting was absent for the first three matches of the four-Test series.
He has not shyed from controversy, igniting the walking debate by walking (declaring that he is out even though the umpire said he was not out) during the 2003 World Cup semi-final. He walked again during the test series against India and has since proclaimed himself to be a 'walker'.
In June of 2004, Travelex, a large foreign exchange specialist, appointed Gilchrist as a non-executive director of the Australasian board. Travelex is also a major sponsor of Australian cricket.
Adam Gilchrist was one of only two Australian cricketers currently playing the game, to be in "Richie Benaud's Greatest XI (11)" along with Shane Warne.
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