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One of cricket's greatest entertainers has left the stage leaving a void which will prove difficult to fill.
Adam Gilchrist, pictured left, must rank as probably as the best wicket-keeper batsman in the history of the game. Not many will dispute that.
But Gilchrist's value to the game went far beyond that facet. That's because the Australian provided sheer entertainment value with his swashbuckling type of batting.
With a high grip often favoured by big hitters, Gilchrist went about punishing some of the most feared attacks in the world with aplomb.
Gilchrist was never afraid to take the aerial route with his shots and many of his innings were peppered with an abundant number of sixes.
Often batsmen with aggressive styles are inconsistent. But Gilchrist finished with an average of 47 in his 96 Tests.
Such was the magnetism of Gilchrist's batting that his superb wicket-keeping abilities went by unnoticed. Gilchrist now has the record for the maximum number of dismissals in Test cricket.
South African Mark Boucher will shortly overhaul this record but Gilchrist will remain proud that he set the record.
Gilchrist's keeping to the bowling of Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath were the highlight of his career.
Wicket-keeping is usually taken up by those who are vertically challenged. Gilchrist was one of the few exceptions and for a man who was tall and well-built he was very agile.
He has taken many spectacular catches during his career and some of them have been absolutely breathtaking.
Gilchrist also had the rare ability to bat anywhere in the order. He batted usually at number six or seven in Tests and opened in the one-day variety.
In one-dayers, Gilchrist ranks as one of the best ever. As an opener, Gilchrist wrested the initiative in the restricted overs period with spectacular assaults. He played key roles in Australia's last two World Cup victories.
What has set Gilchrist apart from other wicket-keepers in the world is his ability as a batsman. There have been a few keepers who were top quality batsmen in their own right, but they never rose to Gilchrist's stature.
Pre-Second World War England player Les Ames was a fine middle order batsman who had a decent batting record in Test cricket.
England's Jim Parks was also a fine batsman in his own right but did not play long enough for his country.
Alec Stewart was, like Gilchrist, a batman who could bat anywhere and had a long and fruitful England career. But his wicket-keeping fell below Gilchrist's standards.
Most of the top wicket-keepers in the world have always been useful lower middle-order batsmen. Rodney Marsh had the batting technique to score hundreds but the consistency was lacking.
Alan Knott was an eccentric batsman who scored a lot of runs for England batting at number seven but can never be ranked a top order batsman.
South Africa's Johnny Waite was also a quality middle order batsman but lacked that exceptional talent which Gilchrist possesses.
Australia have been grooming Brad Haddin, pictured right, to take up from Gilchrist. Haddin is a quality batsman in his own right but he will find it hard to fill the large hole left by Gilchrist's departure. Australia may even opt for a younger 'keeper with potential.
The timing of Gilchrist's retirement has come as a surprise but there is no doubting that it had been on the cards for quite some time now.
Though his keeping abilities remained as high as ever, inconsistencies began to creep into his batting.
The English bowlers found a weakness outside the off stump which they exploited fully during Australia's disastrous Ashes campaign in 2005.
Andrew Flintoff and company went round the wicket and bowled wide outside the off stump and had Gilchrist in trouble.
Gilchrist had an extended poor run with the bat before he found some form in Bangladesh.
He started the subsequent Ashes series quietly but came within an ace of breaking the record of the fastest century in Test cricket in the final encounter. He put all the demons to rest with that knock.
Like all great Australian cricketers, Gilchrist leaves the game when he is still on top. The legacy he has left behind will always be remembered and hailed.
