ADELAIDE, Australia (AFP) — Record-breaking Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist unexpectedly announced that he will retire from international cricket, ending a remarkable career.
The popular 36-year-old told his teammates before the third day's play in the fourth Test against India, and his retirement, effective at the end of the upcoming triangular one-day series, was announced at the end of play.
The shock announcement came just 24 hours after Gilchrist claimed the world record for wicketkeeping dismissals in Test cricket. He had then given no indication retirement was imminent, despite having been under the spotlight over dropped catches in the series.
"It is with great pride and happiness that I make the decision to retire from Test and one-day cricket," Gilchrist said in a brief written statement Saturday.
"I've come to this decision after much thought and discussion with those most important to me.
"My family and I have been fortunate to have had an amazing journey full of rich experiences throughout my career and are sincerely grateful to all who have helped make this stage of our lives so fulfilling."
Gilchrist said he was looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Mel, and children Harrison, Annie and Archie.
Booed when he first played for his adopted state of Western Australia after starting his career with New South Wales in 1992-1993, as Perth fans voiced their displeasure at his selection ahead of local favourite Tim Zoehrer, Gilchrist departs the game as one of its greatest ever players after revolutionising the role of wicketkeeper-batsmen.
A veteran of 96 Tests since debuting in 1999 against Pakistan in Brisbane, his 414 dismissals (377 catches, 37 stumpings) is a world record.
He went into his final Test averaging 47.89 with the bat, with 5,556 runs, 17 centuries and a top score of 204 not out.
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.
Gilchrist made his one-day international debut in 1996 and has played 277 limited overs internationals, mainly as an opener, for 9297 runs at 36.03 with a strikerate of 96, 15 centuries and a highest score of 172, as well as 454 dismissals.
He played in three World Cup triumphs, including belting an extraordinary 149 from 104 balls in last year's World Cup final.
Speaking on Friday Gilchrist had said he would retire on his own terms and stayed true to that vow.
"I'll let the public and press know when I make a decision, whether that is tomorrow or in 12 months' time," he said.
"It will be my decision. It simply has to come from within.
"All the players have said there has been a time when they have just known and I will let everyone know when that time is."
His retirement continues a changing of the guard in Australian cricket, with Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer and Damien Martyn all bowing out of international cricket in the last 15 months.
New South Wales wicketkeeper Brad Haddin is expected to take over the gloves for the Australian team.
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