Adam Gilchrist terms Renshaw as a sleeping giant and backs Wade

Aussie great Adam Gilchrist was recently present at the Gabba where he launched XXXX as the official beer of the Australian cricket team. The former wicketkeeper launched XXXX’s new Goldy caps which are expected to be present in full flow as the crowds flock in huge numbers in the stadium. Also, any Goldy wearer who caught a six would be rewarded with $10,000.

As the series is slated to begin from the 23rd of November at Brisbane, lots of preparations have been going around in both the team camps. Adam Gilchrist on the occasion hailed Renshaw as a dark horse for upcoming Ashes and also backed Matthew Wade.

“We are expecting big things from Smith and Warner but Renshaw is the sleeping giant,’’ 

Terming him as the sleeping giant in the Australian side, the former wicketkeeper reckoned that Matt Renshaw would be crucial in determining Australia’s success in the Ashes series.

He further added that with the promising signs Renshaw has rendered time and again, the Ashes would be the ultimate platform for him to display his valour.

“He can play a really critical role this summer. If he can bat time and occupy the crease like he has shown strong glimpses of this summer that will allow the batting order to bat around him.’’

Emphasizing the need of dual role in modern day cricket

It’s been more than a decade since Adam Gilchrist hung his boots. However, his absence in the Australia lineup as a batsman and as a wicketkeeper is still felt. The impact he created in both the departments is beyond unimaginable.

A veteran of 96 Tests, with an aggregate of 5570 runs that too at an astounding average of 47.60, he redefined the role of a wicketkeeper in the Australian team. While Brad Haddin was a decent bet as his replacement, there was no way he could replicate Gilchrist in Tests.

This has led to a notion where nowadays, international teams have been vouching more batting prowess from the wicketkeeper in the side. That’s a major reason behind Peter Nevill and Matthew Wade pressing in their form with the bat to weigh in as a prospect in the opening XI of the Gabba Test.

Gilchrist remarked on the present situation, “I have concerns the next three Shield games that all the scrutiny on the wicketkeepers will be how many runs they score,’’

He further emphasised on the importance of dual roles in modern day cricket.

“Modern cricket demands that everyone is able to contribute. We have seen in Tests that even bowling positions have been decided by who can contribute with the bat.’’

“Matthew Wade did not punch out the big scores but a lot of batsmen didn’t either.”

When asked about his preferred choice between Wade and Nevill for the series opener, Gilchrist didn’t have any favourites but also implied that he won’t have any complains with Wade being retained.

Backing Wade as a wicketkeeping prospect, Gilchrist told that he wasn’t the only one to have failed with the bat in the subcontinent alongside praise his work with the gloves.

“As a player you hoped for consistency of message from selectors and I just feel since Wadey came back in he had six Tests in a row in the most trying conditions in the subcontinent. He did not punch out the big scores – but a lot of the batsmen didn’t either – and I think he kept pretty well.

“As a player you would hope their might be some sort of opportunity to at least start the series here but I am not pushing either way.’’