Adam Gilchrist names the toughest bowler he kept to

Veteran Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist made an interesting revelation while speaking on the ‘Unplayable Podcast’ about his time behind the stumps. Asked, who was the toughest bowler he had kept to, the 45-year-old named ex-teammate Michael Bevan. The 2-time World Cup winner, Gilchrist had the pleasure of wicketkeeping to the likes of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee in his stellar international career, but says the most challenging bowler he ever kept to was Bevan.

Bevan in his prime was an ODI wizard. With the willow, he was capable of taming even the most daunting run chase to perfection, while he bowled part time left-arm leg-spin when called upon by his skipper. Unlike his batting, Bevan’s bowling at times would be erratic, but that’s what made him such a dangerous, wicket-taking option believes the former wicketkeeper.

Tough to pick

Speaking about Bevan, Gilchrist told the Unplayable Podcast, “Obviously his batting, he was so masterful in that, but he did contribute with some handy wickets at times. The left-arm leggie, fast action, very difficult to pick out of the hand. That’s why it was so challenging.”

“And Bevo will concede himself he didn’t have the greatest control so whilst he could land it right on a sixpence he could also throw them far and wide too, so it was always a challenge.”

Micheal Bevan, popularly called as ‘Bevo’ by his teammates played 18 Tests and 232 ODIs for the national team. The 47-year-old all-rounder holds the record for the best match figures by an Australian left-arm spinner in Test history after clinching 10/113 against the West Indies at the Adelaide Oval in January 1997.

He also collected 36 wickets in the 50-over format and was a vital part of Australia’s World Cup wins in 1999 and 2003.