IndiaPost.com - World record thrills Gilchrist

ADELAIDE: Basking in the glory of becoming the glovesman with most Test dismissals, Australia's star wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist says he is thrilled after achieving the milestone even though he has not been having the best of times behind the stumps off late.

"It's a great achievement even though I was expecting it today. At the same time, it also speaks volumes about the quality of our bowling," an elated Gilchrist said. Gilchrist took his tally to 414, one more than South African Mark Boucher, when he caught Indian skipper Anil Kumble to drop curtains on India's first innings in the fourth Test here at the Adelaide Oval. He had leveled Boucher's record when he caught Harbhajan Singh off Andrew Symonds. "To get the record is simply thrilling," he said.

The Australian vice captain, who made his debut in the longer version of the game against Pakistan in 1999 at Brisbane, is playing his 96th Test here. Though Gilchrist took four catches in India's innings, he did not have a good time behind the stumps, missing quite a few chances in the on-going India-Australia series.

Gilchrist dropped four catches in the second Test in Sydney and grassed a sitter off Indian middle order batsman VVS Laxman in India's the first innings of the ongoing fourth and final Test. "Well, a few got down in recent times but that's the challenge of Test cricket where you need to pick yourself," he said.

He also admitted it was quite frustrating to see Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh bat on and on. "Well, it can get frustrating indeed. But it shows that it has been a decent batting track and their stand made us realize that every partnership is important," he said.

The Australian vice captain, however, oozed confidence that with Matthew Hayden back in the side and unbeaten on 36, the hosts have a good chance in the match. He 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. 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 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."