Middlesex swoop for Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist retired from international cricket in 2008, but he remains one of the world's most dangerous one-day players

Buy this photo

Middlesex have completed a major coup with the signing of Australia legend Adam Gilchrist for next year’s Friends Provident t20.

Almost universally acknowledged as the finest wicketkeeper-batsman to have played the game, Gilchrist has been recruited solely for the domestic 20-over competition, the group stages of which will take place in June and July.

Gilchrist retired from international cricket in 2008 but continues to ply his trade with Deccan Chargers, whom he led to the Indian Premier League title earlier this year.

With counties permitted to recruit two overseas players for the t20 in 2010, Gilchrist’s capture represents the first part of what Middlesex hope will be a remarkable double signing - they are in talks with India’s Sachin Tendulkar to join on a short-term basis.

“It’s a great honour to be approached by Middlesex to play in their Twenty20 side next year at the home of cricket,” said Gilchrist, who turned 38 last week but has never sampled county cricket.

“In 1989 I played for Richmond in the Middlesex League and I am incredibly excited to be returning to London some 20 years later to play for the county.

“Playing domestic cricket in England is the last important piece in my resumé as a professional cricketer and I feel very fortunate that I can now realise this ambition with Middlesex in 2010.”

Gilchrist scored 5,570 runs at an average of 47.60 in 96 Tests and 9,619 runs at 35.89 in 287 one-day internationals during a 13-year career at the highest level.

However, it was the aggressive manner in which he went about his batting - he boasts strike-rates of almost 82 and 97 in each form of the game - for which Gilchrist will be remembered.

Not only did he redefine the role of the wicketkeeper, but he played a key role in Australia’s dominance of world cricket for much of this decade.

Middlesex are hopeful of making India great Sachin Tendulkar their second high-profile signing for next season's t20

Buy this photo

Middlesex chief executive Vinny Codrington said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured Adam’s services for our 2010 Friends Provident t20 campaign and have no doubt that his world-class ability and natural competitive spirit will have a huge part to play in making Middlesex a side that challenge for honours in the tournament in 2010.

“All of us are extremely excited and looking forward to Adam joining up with us next year and to him showing the Lord’s crowds just what he can do.

“We’ve worked extremely closely with the MCC to ensure that Adam comes on board with us next season, and this signing is great testament to how well our two clubs are working together to guarantee that Middlesex supporters and MCC members alike are rightfully treated to the very best world talent that Twenty20 cricket has on offer.

“Under the new ECB rules, stipulating that each county can utilise the services of two overseas players for the 2010 season, all of us at Middlesex and the MCC felt that a player of Adam’s calibre and quality would be of huge benefit.”

Codrington revealed that Middlesex, who won the Twenty20 Cup in 2008 but finished bottom of their group this summer, are in discussions with Tendulkar, the leading run-scorer in Test and one-day cricket who this week celebrated the 20th anniversary of his international debut.

“Middlesex are able to confirm that we have also been in consultation with both Sachin Tendulkar and his agent about him joining Middlesex in 2010,” added Codrington.

“We are currently working extremely hard behind the scenes and are hopeful that we will be able to make an announcement regarding this in the very near future.

“As a result of Sachin’s busy schedule of late, this is yet to be confirmed. He is due to be speaking to the (India board) about playing for us next season when the time is right, and we are disappointed that this news has been made public before Sachin has had the opportunity to hold those conversations.

“Middlesex are, however, confident that our conversations with Sachin and his agent will be fruitful and we obviously look forward to officially announcing the outcome of this in the very near future.”

Tendulkar, 36, announced his retirement from Twenty20 international cricket in February - he played just once for India in that form of the game - but continues to represent Mumbai Indians in the IPL.