I'll let public know when my time’s up: Gilchrist

Agencies

Posted online: Friday, January 25, 2008 at 1500 hrs IST

Adelaide, January 25:
Adam Gilchrist, in his moment of glory, on Friday chose to take a dig at his detractors who have been suggesting the wicketkeeping-batting great is past his prime.

“I have had critics pouncing on me whenever I tend to drop a catch but like Anil (Kumble) said the other day, I use it as a motivation to do well,” said Gilchrist, who broke the wicketkeeping record of 413 dismissals by grabbing the chance offered by Kumble as the last wicket of India’s first innings on Friday.

Mark Boucher of South Africa held the previous mark of 413 wickets.

Gilchrist urged his critics to stop speculating on his future and whether he was going to hang up his boots soon.

“I heard someone say in commentary today that it appears I have to defend my position all the time. I just want everyone to know that I will let public and press know when my time’s up. It will be my decision and come from within.” Gilchrist has dropped a few catches in this series, including one of VVS Laxman on the first day, and he tended to see it as a part and parcel of the game.

“When you play 96 games in a row, it happens. Frankly, whenever I have dropped a catch and given a thought about it later, I have realised that it happened because I was not 100 per cent focussed on the ball."