Adam Gilchrist was one of the most destructive Wicketkeeper-batsman that world cricket has ever seen. In white ball cricket, he delivered some of his best performances which led Australia to becoming arguably the greatest side in world cricket. The Aussies won two world cups in a row, in 2003 & 2007, and Adam Gilchrist was one of the main factors behind Australia’s phenomenal success.
Let’s take a look at Adam Gilchrist’s top ODI innings:
172 vs Zimbabwe, 2004
Adam Gilchrist’s career-best figures came against Zimbabwe at Hobart in the Tri-Series featuring Australia, India, and Zimbabwe. Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden opened the innings with a bang. They added 140 runs for the opening stand which put Australia in a very comfortable position. After Hayden was dismissed, Gilchrist progressed the innings with Ponting and stitched another partnership. Australia put up 344 runs on the board. Gilchrist ended up with 172 runs off just 126 balls. Eventually, Australia won the match by 148 runs.
154 vs Sri Lanka, 1999
This brilliant century was scored by Adam Gilchrist against Sri Lanka in the early phase of his international career. Australia batted first in this match and put Sri Lanka under pressure right from the start. Adam Gilchrist scored 154 runs off just 129 balls which led Australia to a huge total of 310/8. Ricky Ponting scored a half-century and assisted Adam Gilchrist in putting Australia ahead in the contest. There were no major contributions from other players but Adam Gilchrist was enough to take Australia beyond the 300-run mark. In the second innings, Australian bowlers bowled brilliantly to win the match by 43 runs.
149 vs Sri Lanka, 2007
This is arguably the most important knock of Adam Gilchrist’s career. In the 2007 ODI World Cup final at Bridgetown versus Sri Lanka, he scored this century. With a performance of a lifetime, Adam Gilchrist proved to be the difference between the two sides. Australia scored 281 runs in 38 overs and a major chunk of that total was made by Adam Gilchrist.
Australia lifted the World Cup by restricting Sri Lanka to 215/8 in the second innings and won the match by 53 runs (D/L method). This was Australia’s fourth World Cup trophy and it was Adam Gilchrist who paved the way for his side.