Top 5 wicketkeeper-batsmen of all-time

#1 Adam Gilchrist

Has there ever been a more entertaining cricketer than Gilchrist? There are very few in the history of this game that can take on any attack on any pitch and rip them apart to shreds like Gilchrist did until he hung up his boots. He was an integral part of the invincible Aussies of the early 2000s. The Aussies followed a pattern in their victories. Hayden will wound the opposition, Ponting will rub salt on that wound and Gilchrist will put the nail on the coffin.

The ODI opening pair of Gilchrist and Hayden was a bowler’s worst nightmare and no bowling attack in the world could resist that attack. That Aussie Test team was unbeatable because as a bowler even if you run through that legendary top order, Gilchrist will walk in and attack so mercilessly that all hope will be lost in a session or two. His best knock came in the 2007 rain-hit WC final against SL when he smothered the Lankan bowling attack with an imperious century and that knock is regarded by many as one the best WC innings ever.

As a keeper, he was a tad inconsistent but will make up for his errors while batting. His gentleman attitude earned him admiration from all quarters. Simply put, Gilchrist gave a new definition to the term “ wicketkeeper-batsman” and inspired a whole generation of keepers and batsmen alike with his aggressive, uncomplicated batting.