The Rival XI - A team which can beat the Wisden XI

Adam Gilchrist – Wicket Keeper

Tests – 96

Runs – 5570

Average – 47.60

100s – 17

Catches/Stumpings -379/37

Alan Knott ahead of Gilchrist? Not a chance! Adam Gilchrist was a phenomenon that changed the way the world looked at wicket keepers. He was not only one of the best behind the stumps, he could turn a match upside down with his scintillating batting.

A true match winner in every sense, Gilchrist could change the match from either behind or in front of the stumps. Although his “hammer and tongs” batting was more prominently celebrated, his craft behind the stumps was also top notch. It’s not easy to keep against the best bowling attack in the world, especially if it comprises of the serious pace of Brett Lee and the guile of Shane Warne.

But the true value of Adam Gilchrist lay in the way he walked in and used his top-handle grip to smash the opposition bowling and change the entire script of many a Test match.