ADAM GILCHRIST BIDS ADIEU TO CRICKET

AUTRALIAN VETERAN WICKET KEEPER BATSMAN GILCHRIST ENDS HIS CAREER IN CRICKET

Gilchrist said he would retire from Tests after the ongoing match against India and will quit ODI scene after the forthcoming Commonwealth Bank tri-series.

HE ALSO BIDS THANKS TO the Western Australian Cricket Association and Cricket NSW for providing him the opportunity to play First-Class cricket and for the support over the many years.

He says i also thanks all my team mates and support staff who have given me the most enjoyable, fun career anyone could hope for and to the many officials and opponents I have come across. It has been terrific to play against you and more importantly get to know you.

HIS CAREER(1996-2008)

Gilchrist made his international debut in 1996 when he played the first of his 277 one-day internationals. He made his Test debut in 1999 and has played 96 Tests, scoring 17 centuries

HIS MASTERPIECE

He is the fifth senior Australian player to retire in the past 14 months, following Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer and Damien Martyn.

Cricket Australia Chairman Creagh O'Connor paid tribute to Gilchrist, describing him as one of the greatest players of all time.

Gilchrist scored the second-fastest century in Test cricket history (57 balls).

He also captained Australia in six Tests for four wins, including in the historic away series win over India in 2004.

He played in three World Cup triumphs, including belting an extraordinary 149 from 104 balls in last year's World Cup final.

he holds world record of most number of dismissals in test cricket........

The 36-year-old Gilchrist first caught Harbhajan Singh to equal the record of 413 dismissals held by South African Mark Boucher. Then he broke it by catching Anil Kumble

New South Wales wicketkeeper BRAD HADDIN is expected to take over the gloves for the Australian team.

BYE BYE GILLY...........................................