Adam Gilchrist is talking tough, saying that he still loves cricket and that this World Cup won't be his retirement event. I still think he has a lot to offer the one-day game and while Brad Haddin has shown that he is a quality batsmen as well as a solid 'keeper, Gilly is still my first choice in ODIs.
But, I can't say the same in Test cricket. His record over the last 2 seasons is pretty poor - not as bad as say, Geraint Jones, but still bad. Let's look at his figures starting at the 2005 Ashes series. Since then Gilly has played 22 Tests, 32 innings, 2 not outs, 901 runs, highest score of 144 v Bangladesh, 2 100s and 4 50s, at an average of 30.03. If you take out the 144 v Bangladesh (and let's face it, Jason Gillespie made 201* against them), his average comes down to 26.10. Quite frankly, this is NOT GOOD ENOUGH- maybe for England, but not for us. I'll admit Gilchrist has spoiled us with his production between 1999/00 and 2004/05, but i think we still need a guy who averages at least 30 batting at #7.
Contrast Gilly's recent record, with the first class record of his main competitor Mr Brad Haddin. In 2004/05, Haddin scored 916 runs at an average of 57.25, in 2005/06 Haddin scored 675 runs at an average of 45, and this season he has scored 669 runs at 55.75. Yes, it might be a bit easier to score runs in the Pura Cup than against England, but it still shows that Haddin is a player hitting his peak and Gilchrist is declining. Haddin should be the man for the 2009 Ashes tour, so why not start playing him now?
So while I love watching rapidfire 100s as much as anyone, they are pretty rare these days from the bat of Gilly - so do the wise thing Adam, and retire from Test cricket, or get ready to face the axe.
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