We may not remain No.1: Gilchrist

Australian wicketkeeper says the departure of Shane Warne and the imminent retirement of Glenn McGrath will weaken the world’s best team

Australia’s star wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has admitted that his team will not remain the force they used to be once Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath retire.
Gilchrist, however, was quick to add that age would never be a factor in deciding his retirement time. He also ruled out the possibility of following in the steps of Warne and calling it quits anytime soon.

“We have been without them (Warne and Glenn McGrath) before — and at the same time — and we have still been able to win but maybe not as comprehensively,” Gilchrist said. “It is going to be extremely difficult to maintain the playing style or types of standards we have hit under the guidance of McGrath and Warne when that day comes and they are both not there. But I think we can maintain the standards of being one of the most competitive teams in the world if not maintaining the No.1 position,” he added.

Gilchrist, who turned 35, last month, is among the veterans in the Australian team who are expected to retire before or after next year’s World Cup. The left-hander, voted as the World’s Scariest Batsman in an exclusive poll of international bowlers, asserted that he did not have any retirement plans and would continue playing after the World Cup.

“I don’t think the limitation of age should be put on anyone,” Gilchrist was quoted by Sportal as saying. “But it takes a very strong character and great person to walk away from something they love so much, even when they’re at the top of their game. Warney’s obviously made that decision that the time’s right, and all credit to him, and not outstaying his welcome, although the welcome mat was always going to be there,” he added, reflecting on Warne’s decision to say goodbye to cricket after the Ashes.

Gilchrist said the Aussies had the bench strength to compensate for the loss of big names. “Australian cricket is in a much better position now by way of the talent ready to fill those positions than perhaps where it was in the mid 1980s - no disrespect to the players in the 80s,” he observed.

“I think the coaching structures and development programs and having learnt from that experience has enabled us to bolster ourselves for that transition of players retiring, whether that happen over a six-week or six-month period,” he added.