Former Australia skipper Steve Waugh has nominated his teammate and wicket-keeper batsman Adam Gilchrist over veteran fast bowler Glenn McGrath and spin ace Shane Warne for dominating Australia’s golden period in cricket while terming the left-handed batsman as ‘most valuable cricketer’.
Waugh, who averaged 51.06 during his Test career, sparked the debate on social media when he was asked who played a significant role among the trio for Australia.
“All three had a great impact not only on our side but on Test cricket as well. If I had to pick one player, who changed the game more than any other, then probably Adam Gilchrist. He redefined the ‘keeper’s role and now you have to be top-class batsman to be in the side as a ‘keeper as well,” Waugh said in his Facebook video message.
Waugh reiterated the fact that the 45-year-old Gilchrist played a decisive role in the team as a wicket-keeper and batsman.
“I always believed it took 11 players to win a test match and we, obviously, had superstars in our line-up but if we didn’t have guys taking catches off those great bowlers or batsmen scoring runs, those great players wouldn’t have been able to fulfil their potential as well,” Waugh further added while discussing about Australia’s dominance.
Waugh stated Gilchrist was a vital cog for Australia who had the ability to bat at any position.
“When you change the game that much, it means something special and he probably won more test matches than any player I played with,” Waugh remarked.
Being the cornerstone for Australia, the New South Wales-born Gilchrist played 96 Tests for Australia, in which he averaged 47.60.
In 287 One-Day Internationals, Gilchrist scored 9,619 runs at the average of 35.89. He smashed 16 hundreds and 55 fifties.
“Batting at seven he would alter the state of the match or the tempo and a lot of people forget how good of a [wicket] keeper he was,” Waugh revealed.
The 51-year-old Waugh led Australia in 57 Tests between 1999 and 2004.
“He was that good you forgot he was behind the stumps, which is the sign of a good ‘keeper. He had everything you’d want as a captain plus he was a valuable team member,” Waugh said on Gilchrist.
However, McGrath led from the front in bowling to win games for his team by unnerving top-class batsmen during his career.
In 124 Tests, McGrath picked 563 wickets at an average of 21.64 with 29 five-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket hauls.
Last year in a TV show, the legendary spinner Shane Warne described Waugh “the selfish cricketer” he played with.
In 2000, Warne, who picked 708 wickets in 145 Tests, was removed from the vice-captain’s role.
In 1999, Warne was dropped against the West Indies in the final Test under the captaincy of Waugh.