Gilchrist, who made his one-day debut in 1996, savours victory in his first World Cup campaign, in England in 1999

The all-rounder receives his baggy green cap from legendary Australian batsman Bill Brown on his Test debut in 1999

An early Christmas with his new team-mates, including an extremely young looking future captain Ricky Ponting (centre)

A buoyant Gilchrist acknowledges his maiden Test century against Pakistan in only his second match

Gilchrist is made captain for the 2001 Headingley Test but his team are beaten after he sets a sporting declaration

Australia are awarded the newly devised Test Championship trophy prior to the 2001 Ashes

Steve Waugh returns at the helm and the all-conquering Aussies duly retain the Ashes with an emphatic 4-1 victory

The devoted family man relaxes with his children in 2005 after another hectic year of international cricket

Australia win a third straight World Cup after Gilchrist smashes a magnificent 149 in the final against Sri Lanka in 2007

In what proves to be his final Test match, Gilchrist beats Mark Boucher's record for most dismissals by a wicket-keeper