The current Australian side doesn't quite bring the same joy and satisfaction to the spectator as some of its predecessors did, so it seems as good a time as any to take a look back at the great era and pick out the best combined side I can think of.
The entry date is 1985, several of the top players were in by then. More to the point, Lillee, Chappell and Marsh were retired by this point and that marked the change of eras. The team is being chosen for a series against the West Indies best team from the 80s and 90s
Openers: There are so many strong candidates here, David Boon, Mark Taylor, Michael Slater, Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer. Matthew Hayden was clearly the strongest candidate statistically and I chose to go with him, despite some concerns about how he would go against top notch pace bowling, which he didn't have to face that much of during his peak years in the team. Similar concerns exist for Justin Langer, I can't help but feel he wouldn't see out a series v the West Indies because he would take too many shots to the head, that hit in his debut test proved to be prophetic. Mark Taylor was a good opener and played very well against some quality Pakistani attacks but often struggled a little against the West Indies pace bowlers. Michael Slater may have struggled a little to maintain the discipline required against the skills of the West Indies pace quarter. Consequently I settled on David Boon. Boon was a very disciplined, controlled player who was a very capable handler of fast bowling. He didn't have the range of shots that Langer and Slater demonstrated but he played quite well against the West Indies and that tips the balance in his favour.
Number 3: David Boon and Ricky Ponting are the candidates but Ponting is so far ahead of Boon as a batsman that it isn't much of a contest. Ponting walks in. Like Richards, Ponting's attacking game faded a bit towards the end but he was clearly the outstanding Australian batsman of the era. Ponting was a good player of pace too. Consequently Boonie was pushed back up with the openers for consideration.
Number 4: Mark Waugh came up against Allan Border here, and as good as Mark was, Border's technique was better, he was as good a player of spin as Waugh was and he was a superb fielder. Additionally, I needed a captain and chose Border because he would be heavily respected by all the other players, being the most senior and they might not feel totally comfortable if he wasn't the captain. And I think Border, Ponting and Waugh are fairly similar when it comes to conservative captaincy so not much difference there. Had Clarke or Taylor made the team, I think I would have made them deal with being uncomfortable :)
Number 5: Steve Waugh: It's fair to say that I am largely in agreement with Ian Chappell re Steve Waugh. I think the argument that he was a selfish batsman has merit, and it's reflected by the low number of run outs he suffered despite being involved with plenty and it's also reflected in his not outs where he played very conservatively at the end of an innings, even if quick runs were needed Unless, of course, he was within range of a hundred, in which case all sorts of risky and unconventional slogs were pulled out for display. I think his captaincy skills were overrated and that he struggled on those rare days when the team was getting beat up.
BUT, he was a fabulous batsman even so. He had to change his batting approach because his more aggressive, devil may care attitude had led him out of the side. He was a good player of pace bowling despite not always looking comfortable against it, admittedly one wonders what might have happened had the bowlers pitched it up a bit more but they didn't so ... And he once he got on top he put teams away, Mark didn't, Mark got his good 70 or 80 and sometimes a ton and then he departed, content with a job well done.
Number 6: Michael Hussey: Ultimately, Hussey is the man who removed Mark Waugh from this team, if Hussey wasn't so good, I'd have picked Mark at 4 and moved the next 2 men down a slot. Hussey had fabulous technique, superb powers of concentration, he was an agile, reliable fielder, a superb runner between wickets. He seemed equally at home against pace or spin and was very good at pacing his innings. He batted well with the tail and could accelerate an innings when needed. One of the most complete cricketers I have seen.
Number 7: Adam Gilchrist: Very much a philosophical choice here. I consider Ian Healy to be the better keeper and Adam Gilchrist to be the better batsman. I think Gilchrist can make up for the likelihood he might drop more than Healy with his ability to hit hundreds that turn a game around. I wonder if I'm picking him partly because I loved watching him bat, being the purest striker of a cricket ball I have ever seen. Or do I just have it in for Ian Healy because he dropped Brian Lara in Barbados in 99 and missed that stumping off Warne against Pakistan?!!
Number 8: Shane Warne: An obvious choice. As good a spinner as any we've ever had, tremendous competitor, reliable slips catcher, handy lower order batsman. I think I enjoyed watching Warne bowl more than any other Australian I have seen bowl.
Number 9: Jason Gillespie: A very good bowler at his peak, he was quick and accurate. Injury problems were reasonably common but that can't be helped. When available, he was very good. He was also a top notch tailender. His disciplined approach to batting really stood out, he was very willing to keep blocking as long as it was needed. The double century against Bangladesh probably showed him he had a little bit more than good defence to offer as a batsman, as he produced some fine 1st class scores subsequently.
Number 10: Craig McDermott: This was a tough one! Craig also had some injury problems and he was up against Brett Lee for a place in this team. I think Craig was a little more accurate than Brett at his peak and consequently, a little more likely to get wickets. Both were useful lower order players although I would rate Lee higher in this category and I'd give Brett the points for fielding too.
Number 11: Glenn McGrath. Well, who else is going to be picked here?! Like Warne, a very straightforward choice. Incredibly accurate, very fit, rarely injured, very competitive, and became a handy #11 through sheer stubborness. Strong throwing arm and safe hands in the outfield.
What are your thoughts?
Saturday, 23 March 2013
Saturday, 9 February 2013
I am a writer
A year ago, I claimed that I was organising this blog. It did not happen, I was claiming that I would use it for my teacher librarian course, but that didn't happen either.
What brings me back here then? A desire to spend my time doing more things that are fulfilling, as opposed to things that are fun, but ultimately don't contribute to living a richer, active life. A wish to live up to, even in just a small way, the sentiments expressed so movingly by Neil Gaiman in his New Years Day posts. http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2011/12/my-new-year-wish.html
This is my little attempt to make something that didn't exist before, to help it find an audience, to share some of who I am. To write more and dream of writing less. Sharon Astyk wrote that " The personal is the political" so I would like to look at my beliefs and ideas and experiences through that personal prism.
Initially I used blogging to upload the many travelogues I wrote on past trips. I wanted those pieces to have a wider audience but I never went out and found them one. I intend to re-visit those pieces and add images to them from my own photos where possible and from other sources where it isn't.
I propose to finally write some pieces about my honeymoon with the wonderful Kristy. My dear friend Michael is becoming an old man waiting for my take on the great city of London, I intend to show him that it was merely a long delayed piece, rather than a hypothetical.
I want to talk about my goals and what I am doing to achieve them, I want to hear what your goals are, and how you are trying to live out your ideals in the real world.
I want to share with you some of my favourite corners of the Internet and what makes them work for me, and I want to hear what sites have helped shape and guide you.
I want to become a small part of the blogging community here and have an online presence where we can share a little of who we are, I spent many years as a passionate member of the Internet Chess Club, and I truly miss that online community that once existed there.
What sort of topics can I envision being discussed here? I am a husband, a father, a teacher, a secular humanist, a reader, a lover of learning, a hypocritical environmentalist, so I expect many of my posts will revolve around those themes.
At this stage though, I don't want to limit myself , I would rather let some of the themes of the blog develop over time. I'm not writing this blog to make my fortune or to become famous. I'm writing it because I want to share my thoughts and experiences with others. I want to be an active writer, not an imaginary one. I want to write with energy and passion and focus, and I want to write regularly instead of sporadically. To realise that I set up this blog over 5 years ago and that I have simply let it drift is to be reminded of how much time I have frittered away in my life. I am 42 now and past the halfway stage of my life. I wish to do more fulfilling things with the time that remains for me, for I have realised that it isn't the experiences we have that we ultimately regret. Rather, we regret the things we do not do.
So, here I am, making a step forward in my life, along a path that has called to me for so long. I took the road more travelled by, and only now have I made my way to another crossroad. From this day forth, when people ask me what I do, I will add one phrase.
I am a writer.
What brings me back here then? A desire to spend my time doing more things that are fulfilling, as opposed to things that are fun, but ultimately don't contribute to living a richer, active life. A wish to live up to, even in just a small way, the sentiments expressed so movingly by Neil Gaiman in his New Years Day posts. http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2011/12/my-new-year-wish.html
This is my little attempt to make something that didn't exist before, to help it find an audience, to share some of who I am. To write more and dream of writing less. Sharon Astyk wrote that " The personal is the political" so I would like to look at my beliefs and ideas and experiences through that personal prism.
Initially I used blogging to upload the many travelogues I wrote on past trips. I wanted those pieces to have a wider audience but I never went out and found them one. I intend to re-visit those pieces and add images to them from my own photos where possible and from other sources where it isn't.
I propose to finally write some pieces about my honeymoon with the wonderful Kristy. My dear friend Michael is becoming an old man waiting for my take on the great city of London, I intend to show him that it was merely a long delayed piece, rather than a hypothetical.
I want to talk about my goals and what I am doing to achieve them, I want to hear what your goals are, and how you are trying to live out your ideals in the real world.
I want to share with you some of my favourite corners of the Internet and what makes them work for me, and I want to hear what sites have helped shape and guide you.
I want to become a small part of the blogging community here and have an online presence where we can share a little of who we are, I spent many years as a passionate member of the Internet Chess Club, and I truly miss that online community that once existed there.
What sort of topics can I envision being discussed here? I am a husband, a father, a teacher, a secular humanist, a reader, a lover of learning, a hypocritical environmentalist, so I expect many of my posts will revolve around those themes.
At this stage though, I don't want to limit myself , I would rather let some of the themes of the blog develop over time. I'm not writing this blog to make my fortune or to become famous. I'm writing it because I want to share my thoughts and experiences with others. I want to be an active writer, not an imaginary one. I want to write with energy and passion and focus, and I want to write regularly instead of sporadically. To realise that I set up this blog over 5 years ago and that I have simply let it drift is to be reminded of how much time I have frittered away in my life. I am 42 now and past the halfway stage of my life. I wish to do more fulfilling things with the time that remains for me, for I have realised that it isn't the experiences we have that we ultimately regret. Rather, we regret the things we do not do.
So, here I am, making a step forward in my life, along a path that has called to me for so long. I took the road more travelled by, and only now have I made my way to another crossroad. From this day forth, when people ask me what I do, I will add one phrase.
I am a writer.
Thursday, 7 February 2013
Another year over
Last February, I had signed up to attempt a teacher librarian course. That did not last, and it didn't last because I had no passion for it. This year, I am trying to start my own tutoring business. I believe I have a greater passion for that, which wouldn't be too difficult I grant you!
So, another attempt to turn wentreport.com into a regular blog that garners some occassional readers.
I make no promises to regularly update at this stage. I do promise to write about things I have a passion for. I promise to write with as much energy and vigour as I can. This is a blog where I would like to share my views and opinions about many topics. I would like those views to prompt reasoned, critical, thoughtful, respectful discussion. The discussion area is not run democratically. Trolls will be head butted off the bridge and sent down the river, never to be seen again.
So, another attempt to turn wentreport.com into a regular blog that garners some occassional readers.
I make no promises to regularly update at this stage. I do promise to write about things I have a passion for. I promise to write with as much energy and vigour as I can. This is a blog where I would like to share my views and opinions about many topics. I would like those views to prompt reasoned, critical, thoughtful, respectful discussion. The discussion area is not run democratically. Trolls will be head butted off the bridge and sent down the river, never to be seen again.
Sunday, 26 February 2012
What is the role of a teacher librarian?
This is definitely a compulsory post for my course :)
But I do not consider that this means that the question is not of relevance. If one does not bring a guiding philosophy to one's job, how is it possible to do it well? Other than browsing through the textbooks for this semester, I haven't initiated any specific readings for this question. This is stream of consciousness type stuff and is completely subject to revision in the light of subsequent study, discussions and readings. Consistency is the mark of a closed mind.
It's clearly the role of the teacher librarian to run the library. Books need to be accessioned quickly, they need to be shelved properly, teacher resources need to be well organised and accessible. The best collection of books in the world is of no use if it's just piled in a heap. Scholarship is not feasible without well organised resources. Teacher librarians need to be skilled at teaching students and teachers how to access information in its myriad of forms. So it is part of their role to educate people about information access, and the pitfalls involved within.
I believe that teacher librarians are advocates for information. It isn't enough to have a well stocked and organised library if the children are not patronising it or using it enthusiastically and knowledgeably. It isn't enough to have a well organised set of teachers resources about a unit if the teachers don't know it's there. It isn't enough to know where the best internet sites are for a particular topic if no one knows where to find the links when they access the network.
The ability to communicate with a wide range of people, then, becomes a critical part of the teacher librarian's role. It isn't possible to sell the importance of reading unless you are communicating effectively. If people are unaware of what it is in the library, the quality of said collection becomes irrelevant. The teacher librarian is the focal point for the school's information resources.
Teacher librarians need to advocate the importance of silent reading within the school, the importance of telling stories within the school, the vital place of literature within learning.
This has become an important part of my conception of the role because it is not happening in a majority of the schools that I work in. And as a casual teacher, I have worked in a lot of schools in recent years. The idea that uninterrupted, sustained, silent reading is a valuable,indeed critical, part of the school curriculum might be getting some lip service here and there but I am not aware of any primary schools that I have worked in recently where there is a schoolwide program for it.The quality of the classroom libraries that I visit is certainly a silent witness to the fact that silent reading isn't happening. What self respecting student would want to read the dreary rubbish that purports to be a classroom library in numerous schools where I work? Some individual teachers have provided, out of their own pockets, some excellent classroom libraries but this is definitely not the norm.
Similarly, the amount of stories being read to kids seems to be dropping significantly in the schools that I work in, even, dare I say it, in the libraries themselves. As the evidence that these are 2 things that contribute significantly to high academic outcomes is overwhelming, I feel it is a vital part of the teacher librarian's role to advocate for them.
There is much more to be said about the role of a teacher librarian, and it is a topic that I anticipate re-visiting. For now though, this will suffice.
But I do not consider that this means that the question is not of relevance. If one does not bring a guiding philosophy to one's job, how is it possible to do it well? Other than browsing through the textbooks for this semester, I haven't initiated any specific readings for this question. This is stream of consciousness type stuff and is completely subject to revision in the light of subsequent study, discussions and readings. Consistency is the mark of a closed mind.
It's clearly the role of the teacher librarian to run the library. Books need to be accessioned quickly, they need to be shelved properly, teacher resources need to be well organised and accessible. The best collection of books in the world is of no use if it's just piled in a heap. Scholarship is not feasible without well organised resources. Teacher librarians need to be skilled at teaching students and teachers how to access information in its myriad of forms. So it is part of their role to educate people about information access, and the pitfalls involved within.
I believe that teacher librarians are advocates for information. It isn't enough to have a well stocked and organised library if the children are not patronising it or using it enthusiastically and knowledgeably. It isn't enough to have a well organised set of teachers resources about a unit if the teachers don't know it's there. It isn't enough to know where the best internet sites are for a particular topic if no one knows where to find the links when they access the network.
The ability to communicate with a wide range of people, then, becomes a critical part of the teacher librarian's role. It isn't possible to sell the importance of reading unless you are communicating effectively. If people are unaware of what it is in the library, the quality of said collection becomes irrelevant. The teacher librarian is the focal point for the school's information resources.
Teacher librarians need to advocate the importance of silent reading within the school, the importance of telling stories within the school, the vital place of literature within learning.
This has become an important part of my conception of the role because it is not happening in a majority of the schools that I work in. And as a casual teacher, I have worked in a lot of schools in recent years. The idea that uninterrupted, sustained, silent reading is a valuable,indeed critical, part of the school curriculum might be getting some lip service here and there but I am not aware of any primary schools that I have worked in recently where there is a schoolwide program for it.The quality of the classroom libraries that I visit is certainly a silent witness to the fact that silent reading isn't happening. What self respecting student would want to read the dreary rubbish that purports to be a classroom library in numerous schools where I work? Some individual teachers have provided, out of their own pockets, some excellent classroom libraries but this is definitely not the norm.
Similarly, the amount of stories being read to kids seems to be dropping significantly in the schools that I work in, even, dare I say it, in the libraries themselves. As the evidence that these are 2 things that contribute significantly to high academic outcomes is overwhelming, I feel it is a vital part of the teacher librarian's role to advocate for them.
There is much more to be said about the role of a teacher librarian, and it is a topic that I anticipate re-visiting. For now though, this will suffice.
An adjustment
I've spent some time trying to think of some titles for an education blog that I have to do for my MEd in teacher librarianship.
Several of my better ideas were already taken and time is ticking as the course officially starts tomorrow.
So, while I will occassionally post about other topics, I'm going to use this blog for any posts I make to do with my course and with education generally.
In the end, this blog title resonates strongly with me and this makes it the best choice for a blog discussing issues and reflecting upon my own learning.
Several of my better ideas were already taken and time is ticking as the course officially starts tomorrow.
So, while I will occassionally post about other topics, I'm going to use this blog for any posts I make to do with my course and with education generally.
In the end, this blog title resonates strongly with me and this makes it the best choice for a blog discussing issues and reflecting upon my own learning.
Monday, 13 February 2012
Adam Gilchrist's retirement
This post was originally posted in 2008 over at http://www.silkenmusings.com/ but I am moving it here as I intend to use this site for my sports commentary.
Today, one of my favourite cricketers has retired. Adam Gilchrist was one of the most exciting players I have ever had the privilege of watching. He was a bold player and he has lived his life in the same way.
Adam's determination to succeed was shown in his decision to leave New South Wales to go live on the other side of the country in order to get a position as a wicketkeeper batsman. Adam was not as good a wicketkeeper as Ian Healy, but he nevertheless managed some remarkable takes. He was a Test quality wicketkeeper who was as good as most of the other wicketkeepers in the world. He has worked hard to earn the wicketkeeping world record that he will retire with.
I will always remember Adam for his batting. He was the most fluent batsman that I've ever seen. Greg Chappell commented after Adam had made a handful of Test centuries that most of them ranked among the best innings that he'd ever seen. That comment rings true still.
Adam played only 2 innings of significance in the last 12 months of his career yet both of them were great and memorable innings. The first was his magnificent 57 ball hundred against England at the WACA in 2006 where he shredded Monty Panesar in particular, peeling 24 runs off just one over. The 7 men guarding the boundaries could do little to prevent them reaching the boundary, and nothing to stop the ball going over the boundary!
After a scratchy World Cup with the bat where his greatest achievement had been taking some shine off the new ball to allow Matthew Hayden to cut loose, his squash ball inspired assault upon Sri Lanka in the World Cup final virtually guaranteed an Australian victory. He plundered 149 off 104 balls and was in total command of the bowling, blasting the ball to all parts of the ground and forcing the spectators to keep a constant wary eye out for white missiles heading in their direction.
While he was doing this, Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting were both having some troubles with the pitch, as the Sri Lankans were to as well. Adam was so fluent that there weren't any troubles for him. Despite him only having 38 overs to play with, he was a distinct possibility of 200 at the time of his dismissal.
There was some controversy when Ian Healy was denied the chance to have a farewell Test in front of his home crowd in 1999 and Adam Gilchrist was selected for his debut test. The selectors made the call that Adam was now the best man for the job and should be selected. Against a strong Pakistan bowling line up he scored a fine 86 on debut.
That was just the entree for his spectacular, unbeaten, 149 in the next Test in Hobart. Australia were on the ropes at 126/5 chasing 369 when he arrived at the crease with Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram in fine form. Adam proceeded to take just 163 balls to dispatch a very good attack to all parts of the ground to spearhead an unlikely Australian victory. There were few questions asked about his position in the team after that.
What always impressed and excited me about Adam was his ability to hit good balls to and over the boundary with such ease. The ball always seemed to be flowing off the middle of his bat. He played very aggressively and was often picked off but it seemed almost impossible for a bowler to tie him down. He could hit so easily on both sides of the wicket.
I loved his attitude when batting with Glenn McGrath in particular. Allan Border and Steve Waugh had made an artform of taking the single with the tailender at the crease and preserving their wicket and average. Adam was willing to take the single if he had to, but preferred to hit it to or over the fence. His first century in England he scored 152, sharing a 63 run partnership with Glenn McGrath. McGrath's contribution to this innings was a well struck single. Despite England placing most of their team on the fence, they were unable to prevent the barrage of runs that flowed from Gilchrist's bat, such was the power and placement of his strokes.
Similarly, when an Australian declaration was impending, Gilchrist would hit in the air, determined to add quick runs. Quite often he would get out as a result, when a more conservative approach would have protected his wicket. That, however, was not his way, he played for the team not for his batting average.
For a man who consistently captivated with his boundary hitting and clearing, one of the most impressive strokes of his career was a single. When Steve Waugh made his career saving hundred in Sydney, he found himself at the other end with 2 balls left in the day, 98 runs next to his name, a raucous home crowd seeking a fairytale finish and a Bill Lawry inspired TV audience seeking the same. There was little doubt about the next ball, with Gilchrist calmly deflecting it away to the outfield for an easy single, leaving the stage clear for his captain.
Adam got the chance to captain himself due to injuries to both Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting. He handled the position well, making a typically bold declaration against England in his first test as captain. This one didn't work as Mark Butcher played a matchwinning hand but Adam took it on the chin.
The highlight of his captaincy career was leading Australia to victory against India in 2004. This had been the one area where Australia had failed to win during their dominant period. Going into the series there were concerns that the twin role of wicketkeeping and captaincy would drag down his batting. His superb 104 off 109 balls in the first Test answered that question and set Australia up for a 1-0 lead in the series.
Adam was a rare personality who would often give an honest answer to a question. This got him into trouble on several occasions but made him a more interesting person. His decision to start walking when he was out was virtually unprecedented for an Australian in the modern era. In the way of modern cricket he may well have noticed the conflict with the culture of appealing in cricket. Bowlers are rarely pleased if the wicketkeeper has not joined their appeal, irrespective of how silly it is. Adam wasn't quite able to resolve that conflict as he continued to appeal vigorously.
Adam was lucky to come into a great team when he debuted and to play with a great team all his career. He was on the winning side in 73 of his 96 Tests and in all 3 World Cups that he played. He also made a big contribution to those victories with his magnificent batting and his regular catching. He kept well to Shane Warne and that was the most important test of his wicketkeeping.
I believe he has chosen the right time to go. While his recent centuries were great innings that will be recalled for a long time, they were also rare events. Most of the time, he was being picked off playing aggressive shots. Similarly, his wicketkeeping had deteriorated, while he often dropped chances, he rarely dropped simple ones, and several of those escaped his grasp in his final summer.
Adam Gilchrist revolutionised the role of the wicketkeeper in modern cricket. Before he arrived on the scene, wicketkeepers were chosen primarily due to their skills with the gloves. Nowadays, wicketkeepers who are not scoring runs on a regular basis are in grave danger of finding themselves back in first class cricket. Even a superb keeper such as Chris Read has not been able to hold down a Test spot due to his weak batting.
Few players can say that they have changed the way a game is played. Of all his achievements, it is that change that will form the greatest part of the Gilchrist legacy. For me though, I treasure the privilege of having watched his pure ball striking and I will always remember the grace he brought to a team that generally lacked it.
Farewell Adam and thanks for the memories!
Today, one of my favourite cricketers has retired. Adam Gilchrist was one of the most exciting players I have ever had the privilege of watching. He was a bold player and he has lived his life in the same way.
Adam's determination to succeed was shown in his decision to leave New South Wales to go live on the other side of the country in order to get a position as a wicketkeeper batsman. Adam was not as good a wicketkeeper as Ian Healy, but he nevertheless managed some remarkable takes. He was a Test quality wicketkeeper who was as good as most of the other wicketkeepers in the world. He has worked hard to earn the wicketkeeping world record that he will retire with.
I will always remember Adam for his batting. He was the most fluent batsman that I've ever seen. Greg Chappell commented after Adam had made a handful of Test centuries that most of them ranked among the best innings that he'd ever seen. That comment rings true still.
Adam played only 2 innings of significance in the last 12 months of his career yet both of them were great and memorable innings. The first was his magnificent 57 ball hundred against England at the WACA in 2006 where he shredded Monty Panesar in particular, peeling 24 runs off just one over. The 7 men guarding the boundaries could do little to prevent them reaching the boundary, and nothing to stop the ball going over the boundary!
After a scratchy World Cup with the bat where his greatest achievement had been taking some shine off the new ball to allow Matthew Hayden to cut loose, his squash ball inspired assault upon Sri Lanka in the World Cup final virtually guaranteed an Australian victory. He plundered 149 off 104 balls and was in total command of the bowling, blasting the ball to all parts of the ground and forcing the spectators to keep a constant wary eye out for white missiles heading in their direction.
While he was doing this, Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting were both having some troubles with the pitch, as the Sri Lankans were to as well. Adam was so fluent that there weren't any troubles for him. Despite him only having 38 overs to play with, he was a distinct possibility of 200 at the time of his dismissal.
There was some controversy when Ian Healy was denied the chance to have a farewell Test in front of his home crowd in 1999 and Adam Gilchrist was selected for his debut test. The selectors made the call that Adam was now the best man for the job and should be selected. Against a strong Pakistan bowling line up he scored a fine 86 on debut.
That was just the entree for his spectacular, unbeaten, 149 in the next Test in Hobart. Australia were on the ropes at 126/5 chasing 369 when he arrived at the crease with Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram in fine form. Adam proceeded to take just 163 balls to dispatch a very good attack to all parts of the ground to spearhead an unlikely Australian victory. There were few questions asked about his position in the team after that.
What always impressed and excited me about Adam was his ability to hit good balls to and over the boundary with such ease. The ball always seemed to be flowing off the middle of his bat. He played very aggressively and was often picked off but it seemed almost impossible for a bowler to tie him down. He could hit so easily on both sides of the wicket.
I loved his attitude when batting with Glenn McGrath in particular. Allan Border and Steve Waugh had made an artform of taking the single with the tailender at the crease and preserving their wicket and average. Adam was willing to take the single if he had to, but preferred to hit it to or over the fence. His first century in England he scored 152, sharing a 63 run partnership with Glenn McGrath. McGrath's contribution to this innings was a well struck single. Despite England placing most of their team on the fence, they were unable to prevent the barrage of runs that flowed from Gilchrist's bat, such was the power and placement of his strokes.
Similarly, when an Australian declaration was impending, Gilchrist would hit in the air, determined to add quick runs. Quite often he would get out as a result, when a more conservative approach would have protected his wicket. That, however, was not his way, he played for the team not for his batting average.
For a man who consistently captivated with his boundary hitting and clearing, one of the most impressive strokes of his career was a single. When Steve Waugh made his career saving hundred in Sydney, he found himself at the other end with 2 balls left in the day, 98 runs next to his name, a raucous home crowd seeking a fairytale finish and a Bill Lawry inspired TV audience seeking the same. There was little doubt about the next ball, with Gilchrist calmly deflecting it away to the outfield for an easy single, leaving the stage clear for his captain.
Adam got the chance to captain himself due to injuries to both Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting. He handled the position well, making a typically bold declaration against England in his first test as captain. This one didn't work as Mark Butcher played a matchwinning hand but Adam took it on the chin.
The highlight of his captaincy career was leading Australia to victory against India in 2004. This had been the one area where Australia had failed to win during their dominant period. Going into the series there were concerns that the twin role of wicketkeeping and captaincy would drag down his batting. His superb 104 off 109 balls in the first Test answered that question and set Australia up for a 1-0 lead in the series.
Adam was a rare personality who would often give an honest answer to a question. This got him into trouble on several occasions but made him a more interesting person. His decision to start walking when he was out was virtually unprecedented for an Australian in the modern era. In the way of modern cricket he may well have noticed the conflict with the culture of appealing in cricket. Bowlers are rarely pleased if the wicketkeeper has not joined their appeal, irrespective of how silly it is. Adam wasn't quite able to resolve that conflict as he continued to appeal vigorously.
Adam was lucky to come into a great team when he debuted and to play with a great team all his career. He was on the winning side in 73 of his 96 Tests and in all 3 World Cups that he played. He also made a big contribution to those victories with his magnificent batting and his regular catching. He kept well to Shane Warne and that was the most important test of his wicketkeeping.
I believe he has chosen the right time to go. While his recent centuries were great innings that will be recalled for a long time, they were also rare events. Most of the time, he was being picked off playing aggressive shots. Similarly, his wicketkeeping had deteriorated, while he often dropped chances, he rarely dropped simple ones, and several of those escaped his grasp in his final summer.
Adam Gilchrist revolutionised the role of the wicketkeeper in modern cricket. Before he arrived on the scene, wicketkeepers were chosen primarily due to their skills with the gloves. Nowadays, wicketkeepers who are not scoring runs on a regular basis are in grave danger of finding themselves back in first class cricket. Even a superb keeper such as Chris Read has not been able to hold down a Test spot due to his weak batting.
Few players can say that they have changed the way a game is played. Of all his achievements, it is that change that will form the greatest part of the Gilchrist legacy. For me though, I treasure the privilege of having watched his pure ball striking and I will always remember the grace he brought to a team that generally lacked it.
Farewell Adam and thanks for the memories!
Welcome back
It has been a long time. I have joined the list of those who started a blog, made a token couple of postings, and were never seen again!
Hopefully we will do better this time. The initial purpose of this blog was to write postings about varying issues as they occurred. It wasn't intended to be a thematic blog as such, but rather a reactive one.
The aim of this blog is to offer commentary and opinions on varying issues. I envisage postings about current affairs, sport, science among others.
I think that will do for promises, let's see if I start making regular postings before we make too many grandiose mission statements for this blog
Hopefully we will do better this time. The initial purpose of this blog was to write postings about varying issues as they occurred. It wasn't intended to be a thematic blog as such, but rather a reactive one.
The aim of this blog is to offer commentary and opinions on varying issues. I envisage postings about current affairs, sport, science among others.
I think that will do for promises, let's see if I start making regular postings before we make too many grandiose mission statements for this blog
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