Gilchrist doesn't plan to retire soon

ADELAIDE: Adam Gilchrist on Tuesday revealed he could play Test cricket for at least another year, leaving the door open for a fourth tour of England.

While there have been suggestions the fourth Test against India in Adelaide, starting Thursday, could be Gilchrist's last Test on home soil, the Australian vice-captain has told the Herald Sun his desire to play on is as strong as ever.

"I have no intention of quitting and haven't given it any thought," Gilchrist said. "I am really enjoying my cricket and I could be here next summer.

"There is no reason to think that this could be my last Test (in Australia).

"It is a nice position in my career to be in.

"I guess you always set out to enjoy it, but now it feels like we have got the opportunity to sit back and have some real fun."

Gilchrist, the greatest batsman-wicketkeeper the game has seen, has achieved just about everything.

But there is one milestone that still awaits the cricketing ironman - clocking 100 straight Tests, which would happen on the Caribbean tour in June if everything goes to plan.

"Hopefully I can get there," Gilchrist said.

Opener Matthew Hayden has already spoken of his desire to play until 40 and Gilchrist may not be far off that mark when his time is up.

If he was to play against New Zealand and South Africa next summer, the chances are at age 37 he would make his fourth tour of England midway through 2009.

But he must first negotiate a hectic 2008 that features the in-doubt tour of Pakistan, the West Indies and India.

"There is a lot of cricket, but for me, for where I am at the moment in my career, I am really excited by it and looking forward to it," he said.

National selection chairman Andrew Hilditch said he would discuss with Gilchrist his long-term plans during contract negotiations in April.

"He hasn't given any indication yet of retiring," Hilditch said on Tuesday.

Gilchrist has endured a modest series against India, averaging 22.66 in six innings, but in Melbourne he passed Ian Healy's career record for most Test dismissals by an Australian.

He will begin the Adelaide Test just three behind South African Mark Boucher's all-time record of 413 dismissals.

Gilchrist has revolutionised the No. 7 role in the Test arena and the opening slot in one-day cricket, but there are concerns he is not the same force he was earlier in his career.

The West Australian has managed only two centuries in his past 40 Test innings and his career average has dipped from 61 in October 2003 to 47.89.

This drop is further highlighted by an average of 30.67 in 27 Tests since the start of the 2005 Ashes campaign.

While his batting may be on the wane, Australian team coach Tim Nielsen, a former South Australia wicket keeper, believes Gilchrist is keeping as well as ever.

"He is very aware of how his game works now," Nielsen said Thursday. "He is standing over the stumps to both the spinners and fast bowlers, it has been fantastic."

Nielsen said Gilchrist had the same rigorous approach to training now that he had when he first joined the team.