Top 5 Australian wicket keepers of all time

#-1 Adam Gilchrist

The greatest ever wicket-keeper batsman

Arguably the greatest ever wicket keeper batsman to play the game, Adam Gilchrist made his Test debut for Australia against Pakistan in the year 1999. Though he made his ODI debut in 1996 he would cement his place in the Test side only after a string of poor performances by Ian Healy.

Gilchrist changed the concept of wicket keeper batsman and his destructive approach was a nightmare for the bowlers all around the world. Along with Mathew Hayden, they proved to be one of the best opening pairs in ODIs.

In only his 2nd Test he scored a match-winning century and stitched together a record 238 run partnership with his Western Australian teammate Justin Langer for the 6th wicket against Pakistan. It was a dramatic comeback by the Aussies in a match they were done and dusted.

In the 3rd Test against New Zealand in 2000, Gilchrist recorded the most dismissals by an Australian wicket-keeper in Tests taking 10 catches.

Coming into the 2007 World Cup final with a string of poor performances behind him, Gilchrist scored a terrific 149 against the Sri Lankans playing with a squash ball inside his left glove. It was an innovative measure taken by the great wicket keeper batsman.

He was also known for playing the game at the best of spirits. He would hardly wait for the umpire’s decision if he knew he was out and even in the World Cup semi final in 2003 he walked even when the umpire Rudi Koertzen declared him not out. He played his last Test and ODI against India in the year 2008. Gilchrist played for Deccan Chargers and Kings XI Punjab in the IPL captaining Deccan Chargers to glory in the 2nd edition in 2009.

Gilchrist finished with a total of 416 Test dismissals including 379 catches and 37 stumpings in 96 matches and 472 dismissals including 417 catches and 52 stumpings in 287 ODIs.