Gilly looking to add to the memories as WA says goodbye

Memories good, bad and unusual will be added to one last time on Friday when Adam Gilchrist makes his final appearance on the WACA where he first announced himself as a talent like no other.

Ahead of Australia’s tri-series clash with Sri Lanka in Perth, Gilchrist today reflected on the journey which first brought him to WA in a NSW side beaten inside two days, and then as the upstart booed by his own WA fans for daring to replace Tim Zoehrer in the state side.

Those same supporters will cheer Gilchrist to the rafters this week, as they have done all over the country during a series dubbed Gilchrist’s farewell tour against his wishes.

And while the 57-ball ton during Australia’s Ashes triumph in December 2006 was first out of Gilchrist’s WACA memories, his time in WA colours which first earned him international recognition were also fondly remembered.

“(The WACA) holds some great memories for me personally and from a team perspective, so I am looking forward to one last chance to get out there and enjoy it,” Gilchrist said.

“Last year, regaining the Ashes, that match stands out … but my fondest memories of this ground are more state based. This is the ground that gave me my opportunity to get into the international scene.

“Those years of state cricket … they were very special times.”

His WA debut was not actually the first time Gilchrist had played in Perth, having travelled with NSW for an eventful if not enjoyable trip in December 1993.

“We got beaten in two days, we lost our best player (Greg Matthews) who got beaten up in a nightclub, and we lost 0.2 of a point for a slow overrate, so it was an all-round bad trip,” Gilchrist said.

Gilchrist’s WA home debut the following season was remembered for the reception he received – and how it eventually helped him on the start of his stellar Test career.

“My first match here was against Victoria, and we got smashed. I scored 30 or 31 and copped a solid amount of booing and criticism as I walked out to the wicket,” Gilchrist said.

“And I then acknowledged in my own mind that I had to try and set about earning some respect, not just from my teammates, but from the crowd from the members from the local community.

“Fortunately they welcomed me into that set-up after some time.

“When I made the transition into the Australian team, it was almost a case of deja vu (when booed at the Gabba in 1999 for taking the Test spot of Ian Healy).

“It is amazing how valuable that experience was. I already had an experience to fall back on, which made that time a little bit easier for me.”

While attention will rightly be lavished on Gilchrist by his home fans, the 36-year-old said he was trying to retain the focus on a hard fought one-day series he was desperate to win.

“In Brisbane for the first one-dayer I was a overcome a little bit by the crowd wanting me to entertain and put on a bit of a show,” Gilchrist said.

“But in the last couple of innings I feel I have had a clear mindset.

“I understand people want to say goodbye and say thanks, but as long as it is not taking away the focus of the games.

“It will be a pretty hollow feeling if we lose focus and don’t finish the summer the way we want to.”

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