Fitness permitting, Gilchrist intends to continue after World Cup

Sydney, Aug 12 (UNI) Brad Haddin, Jimmy Maher and all others waiting for a chance to fill in his shoes can cool their heels for now as Adam Gilchrist has announced that he intends to continue playing after the next year's World Cup if his body permits.

''I am dead keen for the summer to start and the Champions Trophy, the Ashes and the World Cup to begin. Beyond that, you never know if your physical game or the skills are still going to be there but, if they are, I can't see why I would stop. The schedule is pretty clear for a while after the World Cup,'' Gilchrist told the 'Sydney Morning Herald'.

The wicketkeeper, who turns 35 this November, says he has no plans to give up any form of cricket to prolong his career in the other. He, however, admitted that the thought of retirement did cross his mind after Australia's tour of Bangladesh but the break that followed has recharged his batteries.

''If you had sat me down after Bangladesh and asked me how much time I had left in the game, you probably would have gotten a different answer to now,'' the Aussie added.

''I'm not keen on making any big statements, but right now I am looking to keep playing,'' he added.

The Aussie reiterated that there was too much cricket being played but in his case he was feeling refreshed after a three-month break and raring to go for the coming tournaments including the Ashes.

''I have voiced the opinion that I think there is too much cricket being played at the moment,'' he said.

The keeper, who also opens the ODI innings for the World Champions, is just 41 short of breaking Ian Healy's record for most dismissals by an Aussie wicketkeeper in Tests is also in the reckoning for becoming the first stumper to have 400 plus dismissals to his credit.

Gilchrist says his motivation to continue has never been low and he is happy with his current form behind the stumps.

''I will go to my grave saying that my job is to keep wickets.

The keeping has been really pleasing lately. There is still plenty of motivation for me to keep playing. I can't see any value in playing just one form of the game, either,'' he said.

However, the swashbuckling opener is not very satisfied with his batting form off late but takes consolation from the fact that he has a better record to show compared to other wicketkeeprs in the world.

''I might have fallen short of my own standards with the bat, but I still am doing quite well compared to the other keepers over the course of history.

''That's not to say that I won't be working hard to get the batting right. My century (144 against Bangladesh in Fatullah) recently was one of my better ones, and has given me a lot of confidence,'' he said.

Upbeat about regaining the Ashes this November, Gilchrist says he was looking forward to facing Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison.

''I'm thinking about facing Flintoff again the same way I thought of it in the Superseries. I am just really looking forward to getting back out there against the likes of Flintoff and Harmison and enjoying the challenge,'' Gilchrist said.

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