Adam Gilchrist, 40 today

There’ve been plenty incredible cricketers, but very few who’ve reinvented aspects of the game, and fewer still who’ve managed it while being a complete unarsehole.

So let’s enjoy a sportsman – in the truest sense of the word – enjoying whom doesn’t feel wrong.

 

Gilly plays club cricket for Richmond in 1989, aged 17, with added Michael Wale. “England be warned”.

 

In his second test match, in 1999, an unbeaten 149 helped Australia to a four wicket win over Pakistan, chasing 369:

And part two:

 

Whilst racking up a brisk 204 against South Africa in 202, he almost hits a sign that would’ve won him one million Rand.

 

Later in that series, coming in at 176/5, he produced as fine a counter-attacking innings as you’ll ever see (138 off 172)

 

World Cup Final 2007 – with a squash ball in his glove.

Gilly explains

The Sri Lankans don’t like it.

And the innings itself – 149, the highest ever World Cup Final knock.