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Gilchrist wants to keep walking

The game's most famous walker will hold the same stance through the Ashes series as long as he's convinced of the edge

Cricinfo staff
19-Jul-2005


Adam Gilchrist gets a nick during the one-day series © Getty Images
The game's most famous walker will hold the same stance through the Ashes series as long as he's convinced of the edge. Despite Mike Gatting's plodding around England and similar earlier ventures from Ian Botham and Allan Border, Adam Gilchrist's steps have created the most interest since he introduced the policy at the 2003 World Cup.
Questions about Gilchrist's walking are regular and they were raised again yesterday when he was reminded about skipping off against Bangladesh at Canterbury despite missing the ball. "Hopefully I won't make that a habit," he told AAP. "I will declare boldly now that I don't intend to walk off when I am not out."
Gilchrist said he would also take the word of an England fielder for a close catch rather than rely on a third umpire's decision from replays. "It is an issue that may need to be worked through but I am big on taking the word," he said. The captains' policy for the series will be decided when Ricky Ponting and Michael Vaughan meet with Ranjan Madugalle on Wednesday.
The good sportsmanship drive does not cover converting other players to his value system. "I am not on a crusade and won't have a go at people in the opposition or my own team who leave it to the umpire," Gilchrist said. "I thought there were situations occurring where we could take more ownership of the game. I had a think about it and decided I wanted to be true to myself and play the way I wanted to play."
When asked what he would do if Australia were two short of victory in the final Test with one wicket at hand he replied: "I wouldn't nick it."