Wicket-keeper backs Warne

Adam Gilchrist © Getty Images

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Adam Gilchrist will cherish the opportunity to help Shane Warne reach another historic landmark during the third Ashes Test knowing he is playing alongside one of the game’s all-time greats.

Gilchrist could have a claim himself for a place in cricket’s hall of fame with his unique style of attacking strokeplay revolutionising the way teams now look at wicketkeeper-batsmen.

But Gilchrist is astute enough to know that for all his undeniable talent, he suffers in comparison to the irrepressible Warne and his ability to turn cricket on its head.

Prior to Warne’s emergence, leg-spin was a dying art but he has survived for more than a decade to move within six wickets of becoming the first bowler in history to claim 700 Test victims.

It is a staggering achievement and all the more impressive for having played only one Test against Zimbabwe and two against Bangladesh in his long career.

More importantly, he is almost as effective now as he was 10 years ago as his stunning spell of 27-11-29-4 on the final day at Adelaide to win the previous Test underlined

“He was at his brilliant best in Adelaide,” confirmed wicketkeeper Gilchrist, who had perhaps the best view in the ground of Warne’s masterful display.

“There was a bit of negative outlook on what he did in the first innings by way of going around the wicket, but that was a combination of a lot of thoughts within the team to keep England, and particularly Kevin Pietersen, in check.

Shane Warne © Getty Images

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“To get 550 it doesn’t look like it worked but it took then a long, long time to get those runs so that was our approach in those conditions.

“It was a pretty flat wicket which wasn’t offering much to any type of bowler in those first two days so Warney did the work there and took the blows to the ego and then got a sniff in that second innings and was at his absolutely brilliant best.

“The view from behind was fantastic - that’s why I play the game. He’s got a real spring in his step at the moment. He’s vocal within the group, he’s vibrant and he’s really energising the group.

“It’s great and it’s really encouraging. That’s been his way throughout the series, but it really shone through on that final day when he led us and we followed and that’s what good leaders do.”

Gilchrist has formed a formidable partnership on the pitch with Warne and played a key role in the bowler’s performance during the previous Test by attempting to instil some patience into a player who was desperate to spin Australia to a shock win.

He said: “All I was trying to get him to do in Adelaide was to stay patient. He knew there was assistance from the wicket and he knew England had shut up shop and he was like the vulture circling overhead but he just couldn’t get down to have a peck.

Warne was the main reason behind Australia's success in Adelaide © Getty Images

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“He had to remain patient and he did a great job in allowing pressure to build up and allow the guys to get results at the other end.”

But asked just what an experience it has been to be Australia’s wicketkeeper during the majority of the Warne years, Gilchrist really warmed to the task.

“I remember a ball on day five at Adelaide which pitched in the rough and I took it cleanly,” explained Gilchrist.

“It wasn’t a dismissal or anything like that and it was one that everyone would have expected me to take, but I took it right in the middle of the gloves and that for me is the best moment I have on a cricket field.

“Whether it’s scoring runs or whatever, that moment is the heart of my job, the most challenging but the most rewarding.

“He has given me the most pleasure as a player to play with and to be able to do that and keep wicket to him has been great - he changed the game, he’s added so much and so much character to the game.”

The build-up to this week’s Test at the WACA will naturally be dominated by Warne’s impending landmark, but Australia also have selection issues to settle.

All-rounder Andrew Symonds is expected to replace Damien Martyn, who shocked the world by announcing his retirement from cricket on Friday, and edge out uncapped batsman Adam Voges.