Retiring Australian wicket-keeper has named the 2004 test series win in India, which he captained in the first three tests, as his happiest moment in cricket, just ahead of his record breaking century in the 2007 World Cup final.Gilchrist had been part of the unsuccessful 2001 tour of India, making a stunning 122 in the opening test in Mumbai, only to be followed with scores of 0, 0, 1 and 1. The series is seen by many as the greatest in Test history. The Gilchrist-led Australians returned three years later, only this time to win two of the first three Tests to clinch the Border-Gavaskar trophy.
“I just remember from the moment Ricky Ponting got hit on the thumb at Edgbaston in the Champions Trophy,” Gilchrist said. “I realised in all likelihood I would be offered the reigns to captain the tour, which had such an amazing build up it.”
Gilchrist admitted that he was unsure whether he was the right man to lead the Australian in the absence of Ponting. Gilchrist had famously lost a test in the 2001 Ashes series after making a generous declaration while filling in for the injured Steve Waugh.
“I started to get nervous and had a few self doubts. I even considered not taking the job.
“To captain that team through the bulk of the series and be part of that leadership group that constructed that victory was definitely the highest point and greatest achievement in my career.
“It was the hardest place to win.”
The 96 Test veteran also singled out his sensational 149 off 104 ball innings against Sri Lanka in the 2007 World Cup final. Gilchrist had never scored a century in three World Cup’s, saving his best performance for last.
“To have played that knock in the World Cup final, on the biggest stage possible, at the right time, very rarely does everything go to plan.
“That was one of the most difficult periods of my career. We just had our third child. It was the third time I had to leave Mel and whichever child it was after five days of them being born. There were some very lonely, difficult times to get through.
“The celebration was very, very special because we really savoured it.”
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