How good was Gilchrist?

[Engle]

Standing up at the wicket, a keepers hands move more naturally sideways left/right than up/down.
After many years, they become attuned to expect the ball to move left or right. A ball that jumps up or stays low is a surprise one, which could catch them off-guard.
There are other factors involved - losing sight of ball, amount of turn, mystery turn etc

 

[the big bambino]

As good as Gilly was to pace bowlers he'd place behind Dujon for athleticism.

 

[Migara]

A certain Joysooriya as well.

He was hardly in the beast mode where Gilly and Shewag played. And quite inferior as a test match batsman. His game was for limited overs. Kudos for him carving out a test career out of it.

 

[Red]

From my keeping experience at indoor cricket, quicker spin is harder to deal with than side spin

I'm guessing your mates at indoor didn't turn it as much as Warne or Macgill though?

 

[nightprowler10]

Keeping to disciplined fast / spin bowlers is always easy than to wild ones. West Indian and Pakistani keepers tend to get under appreciated for their efforts. In addition Pakistani ones deal with mystery spinners too. (No, no, not Akmal).

Latif would be remembered well if he didn't disgrace himself. Used to take some wild deliveries off Wasim/Waqar and kept well to Mushtaq.

 

[Anil]

not top tier in keeping but very solid, especially the 2nd half of his career...also an explosive albeit inconsistent middle order bat, spectacular and could take the game away from the opposition in short order when he was on...

i would have him in an all-time one day xi as the keeper and a middle order (emphasis on middle order and not opening) batsman...i don't think he should even get a peek into an all-time test xi...

 

[mr_mister]

I'm guessing your mates at indoor didn't turn it as much as Warne or Macgill though?

I'm guessing you haven't played much indoor? It's very easy due to the ball and pitch to make the thing spin a mile even with little skill

 

[Bahnz]

I remember talk that Gilchrist was pretty average as a keeper on his first tour of England in 2001. Obviously worked very hard on it, as I don't recall any mistakes from the '05 series.

 

[Robbie]

Healy was AAA tier so better than Gilly, but Gilly was still super solid

Don't agree with that. As great as Healy was, Gilchrist was an upgrade as a package.

 

[Robbie]

Too good. Edge the ball to Gilly/Waugh/Ponting/Clarke/Warne at your own risk, they were that good. Even if the ball looked like falling short of slip fielders, one of them would dive forward to take the catch.

Which one of them it was, presumably depended in part on what year it was.

 

[Robbie]

I remember talk that Gilchrist was pretty average as a keeper on his first tour of England in 2001. Obviously worked very hard on it, as I don't recall any mistakes from the '05 series.

I don't remember his keeping ever being seen as a weakness tbh, and although there probably were some, I don't remember any missed chances against England.

I remember Mark Butcher dropping him 4 times in one innings off Darren Gough though.

 

[TheJediBrah]

I remember talk that Gilchrist was pretty average as a keeper on his first tour of England in 2001.

Weird, I followed pretty OCD back then and recall nothing of the sort. I don't think his keeping changed in quality much if at all during his career as he was quite experienced even when he deputed. Improved a bit up to the stumps to Warne maybe but he was always very good

 

[mr_mister]

Don't agree with that. As great as Healy was, Gilchrist was an upgrade as a package.

I'm referring to keeping skills only obviously

 

[CricAddict]

From what I have seen of him, he is good enough to get into all teams just with his keeping. His catching was spectacular.

 

[Red]

I'm guessing you haven't played much indoor? It's very easy due to the ball and pitch to make the thing spin a mile even with little skill

Probably 500 games give or take

 

[TheJediBrah]

Probably 500 games give or take

Lookout we got a badass over here

 

[Senile Sentry]

Gilly was also fortunate in some way to debut when he was very much the final product and at the beginning of his absolute peak. Thus the world got to see for most part of his career the best of Gilly. His batting and keeping to some extent did tail away in the last couple of years or so, but he exited quite graciously.

Obviously we can't judge.a player by what he was prior to debut, so rightfully Gikchrist will remain Bradman of keeper-bats for some time to come. Pant has shown some ridiculous promise so early in his career and his keeping is improving rapidly. Heres to hope.he continues to improve it further.

 

[mr_mister]

Probably 500 games give or take

Well then you should know what I'm saying right?

 

[Engle]

When Gilly completed 2,000 Test runs and averaged 60+, I recall thinking this is on the level of G.Pollock, G.Headley.
Then he maintains 60+ average after 3,000 Test runs. Superlative considering being wk, explosive batting, but alas too good to last

 

[Nintendo]

not top tier in keeping but very solid, especially the 2nd half of his career...also an explosive albeit inconsistent middle order bat, spectacular and could take the game away from the opposition in short order when he was on...

i would have him in an all-time one day xi as the keeper and a middle order (emphasis on middle order and not opening) batsman...i don't think he should even get a peek into an all-time test xi...

Inconsistent? The bloke averages 48 and has over 10 100's coming in at 7. Hardly inconsistent.