The decline and fall of Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist has been a shadow of himself lately. For so long the slashing and dashing fulcrum of the Australian team, his batting has recently been more ordinary than legendary. Now he has been both "rested" from the Australian team and cited for umpire abuse. At first glance it seems doubtful that a player of Gilchrist's talent will be down for long - especially as the selectors have already announced that his "rest" will only last a week. But the Australian selectors are notorious for their loyalty to members of the playing side. Having taken a long time to drop Gilchrist they might find themselves in an awkward spot if his replacement (Brad Haddin) performs well.

Gilchrist is 34 and this would be a sad way for him to end his career. The citing casts a partcularly sad shadow over his decline. The Australians are all pushing the limits when it comes to applying pressure to the umpires, and they remain defiant in claiming they play within the laws and spirit of the game. Gilchrist however might be regretting this stance. For a long time now he has been holding himself up as a "walker" and has earned considerable respect and goodwill for his honesty in this. But it doesn't take much to tarnish a reputation and a couple of over-exuberant appeals and a mouthful of abuse are likely to make people forget his past.

World cricket is the poorer without heroes. And much as I hate to admit it about an Australian, but Adam Gilchrist is a hero. Let's just hope that he manages to straighten that halo a little before he leaves the game for good.