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Good golly - Gilly batting slump shows he's human

Source: smh.com.au - January 1, 2006

Adam Gilchrist is enduring the recession he had to have. It is not, however, likely to lead to depression. Except among fans.

Before last year's dip in fortune, Gilchrist was what might be termed a "tiger economy". He bounded along at such a rate, performing hitherto unforeseen feats for men whose speciality is wearing large gloves, that a check should not only have been likely but expected. What is remarkable is that it took so long to arrive.

Gilchrist, had a poor year (836 runs at 41.80) with the bat by his standards. A man who averaged close to 56 early in the year averaged six runs lower by its close. Further, in the finger-pointing over the Ashes tour, his 181 runs on that tour at an average of 22.63, with a top score of 49, were proof he must shoulder some blame for the loss.

They were the moderate figures you would expect from, well, a wicketkeeper. His form made the Ashes result so much more uncomfortable - we could bear the loss, but don't try to make Gilly mortal.

"If you have a keeper averaging about 30 you normally think they have had a good year," said former national captain Mark Taylor.

"Now I am not sure what Gilly is averaging this year but I don't think it would be much worse than that, but because he has averaged 55 every other year it looks bad. It is not easy and I think that is what this year has shown. It is not easy keeping and then having to bat. He has made it look easier than it probably is."

That the 34-year-old was regarded to have performed below par with the bat in the Ashes for his 22 average says much of the expectations of him, for there were no such considerations about Rod Marsh's 19.63 average in 1981 or Ian Healy's 17.16 in 1989. Across their careers Healy averaged 27.39, Marsh 26.51.

Gilchrist still averages nearly 50 (49.81), has made 15 centuries and 21 50s. He has done so at the astonishing strike rate of greater than 80 runs per 100 balls in Tests and 95 per 100 in one-day games.

"I do not know one player who has not had a bad year," Taylor said. "This year has not been a good one for him. Technically, is he doing anything different? Probably not.

"There's been a slight change of tactics against him. A lot more bowlers are going around the wicket now and angling the ball into him, whether that shows up defects in his defence or his play, I am not so sure.

"It has probably been more a mental thing than anything. They have probably got inside his head that 'this tactic seems to be working against me' and he is not playing as confidently.

"He is probably only one good innings away from being right back into the groove again."

The change of approach and direction by bowlers, most notably England's formidable Andrew Flintoff, to Gilchrist was significant in contributing to his leaner Ashes series.

"For the first time in England he was really tested by some bowlers coming around the wicket early," said former Test opener Michael Slater, now a commentator. "It was also by some bowlers who had the ability to stay disciplined and accurate against him with this subtle movement. It really tested him, as it tested all the batsmen, and there weren't too many who came out of there with flying colours."

While Gilchrist's batting has taken a turn for the worse, any presumption age is wearying him is discounted by his glovework being better than ever. He could become the first keeper to better 400 Test dismissals as he is now on 332, with South African rival Mark Boucher on 334.

Former Australian keeper, and Gilchrist's predecessor, Ian Healy holds the record with 395 dismissals.

- MICHAEL GLEESON