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He's not the messiah - just a very good keeper

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

Adam Gilchrist's worst is still better than good. Michael Gleeson runs the rule over a lean year for the big hitter that would be a great one for lesser mortals.

In Paul Keating's brutally sensitive terms, Adam Gilchrist is enduring the recession he had to have. It is not, however, the mother of all recessions; nor is it likely to lead to depression. Except among fans.

Before this year's dip in fortune, Gilchrist was what the economist would term "a tiger economy". He bounded along at such a breathtaking rate, performing hitherto unforeseen feats for men whose speciality is wearing large gloves, that a tempering of fortunes was not only likely but expected. When it did not arrive it became akin to accepting Peter Daicos' goalkicking - too regular to be luck. He was freak, not fluke.

Gilchrist undoubtedly had a poor year with the bat by his standards. A man who averaged close to 60 at year's dawn averages 10 runs fewer by its close. Further, in the post- Ashes finger-pointing, his 181 runs on that tour at an average of 22.62, with a top score of 49, were considered proof that he must shoulder some blame. They were the sort of moderate figures you would expect from, well, a wicketkeeper.

Gilchrist has had the sort of year that most wicketkeepers would love. But they are not Adam Gilchrist.

Former Australian captain Mark Taylor is one who understands the fickleness of form, and who knows what it is like to have his value to the team publicly questioned. Taylor endured a similarly lean streak in his latter career before a droughtbreaking 334 not out.

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

"I think what this year has shown is that it is not easy keeping and then having to bat. He has made it look easier than it probably is."

That Gilchrist was regarded to have performed below par with the bat in the Ashes for his 22 average says much of his status in the game, for there was no such question about Rod Marsh's 19.63 average in 1981 or Ian Healy's 17.16 in the 1989 Ashes tours. Across their careers, Healy averaged 27.39, Marsh 26.51, West Indian Jeff Dujon 31.94. Alec Stewart, England's occasional opener, captain, keeper and Mr Fixit, averaged 34.92 when playing as a batsman/keeper and 39.54 overall.

- MICHAEL GLEESON