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5 things you might not know about Adam Gilchrist

Soorpil
by Soorpil November 15, 2016

​One of the fittest cricketers ever Former Australian legend Adam Gilchrist was one of the most explosive left-handed batsmen of his generation and arguably the greatest wicket-keeper-batsman of his generation as well.He was an integral part of the "Golden Era" of the Australian cricket team and played a major role in the three World Cups which were won between 1999 and 2007. In the 96 Tests he played for the Kangaroos,  he amassed 5570 runs at an average of 47.60. His average in the ODIs was a bit lower but was still a significant part of the team as he averaged 35.89 in the 287 matches he played as he notched up 9619 runs.As he turns 45 today, we take a look at the five facts which you probably did not know about Gilly.

#5 One of the fittest cricketersApart from being known for his fearless attitude and his ability to smack the ball to every part of the ground, what many people don't know about Gilly is that he was one of the fittest cricketers around at the time. The wicket-keeper batsman from Western Australia has played in 96 Tests between November 5, 1999, and January 24, 2008, without missing anyof them. He has kept wickets in all of those matches, and to constantly do so for hours at a stretch without taking a break is not an easy task, but Gilly was always up to the task. 

#4 Extremely CharitableOne of Gilly's charitable ventures in IndiaBeing one of the most liked cricketers on the Australian Cricket Team, it does not come as a surprise that Churchy is one of the most generous persons from the team.Gilchrist has been involved in a lot of charity work in India; a country in which he is popular due to his cricketing achievements. He is Australia's education ambassador to India and is also anambassador for the charity World Vision in India.Also Read: Virat Kohli, Joe Root and AB De Villiers are best in the world, says Adam Gilchrist  

 #3 Man for recordsThe first cricketer to 100 sixesGilly has broken numerous records over a career which spanned over 12 years. He became the first person to hit 100 sixes in international cricket. Out of the current cricketers, Chris Gayle has 98. Brendon McCullum earlier this year retired with 107 sixes. He has 416dismissals to his name in Test cricket and 492 in One Day Internationals, which is the second most in history.Apart from these records, he was named as the Australian cricketer of the year in 2003 and 2004 and was the only Australian cricketer who was a current player at the time to have been named in "Richie Benauds Greatest XI" in 2004.

#2 90 dismissals along with McgrathThe deadly duoThe relationship Gilchrist and Australian legend Glenn Mcgrath had on the field was a special one. Given that Mcgrath was one of the most fearsome fast bowlers during Australia's "Golden Era" of cricket, the Gilly-Mcgrath duo combined to achieve a total of 90 dismissals tohis name.By doing so, they were only five behind the record Rodney Marsh-Dennis Lillee combo. The " c. Gilchrist b Mcgrath" was one of the most common sights on the scoreboard of a match which featured Australia.

#1 Bitter relationship with WarneWarne and Gilly were not the best of friendsThis might come as a surprise to the millions of fans Gilchrist has garnered over the years, but he did not share a warm relationship with his Australian teammate and one of the best spinners in the world -Shane Warne.Despite sharing one of the best keeper-bowler partnerships in the history of cricket, in his autobiography, Gilchrist claimed that Warne did not particularly like him. According to Gilly, Warne called him a "licker" and he apparently wanted hisVictoria teammate Darren Berry to be Ian Healy's successor in Test cricket.