World Commentators' Playing XI

5) Adam Gilchrist, Age: 44

Gilchrist in action at the Big Bash League

Australia’s Adam Gilchrist walks in as the automatic choice as Wicket Keeper batsman. The pugnacious left hander could change a game on it’s head with his explosive strokemaking and was a big part of the strong Australia side that were invincible in the 90s and 00s. Gilchrist has a number of unique records to his name, most notably scoring at least 50 runs in successive World Cup finals (in 1999, 2003 and 2007). His swashbuckling 149 off 104 balls against Sri Lanka in the 2007 World Cup final is rated one of the greatest World Cup innings of all time.

Gilchrist was a cricketer loved all over the world, he also became the first batsman to register a 1000 runs in the IPL. He was known for ‘walking’ when he considered himself to be out, sometimes contrary to the decision of the umpire. (Like he did in the crunch Semi final v Sri Lanka in 2003).