Adam Gilchrist, arguably the greatest wicketkeeper/batsman of all time has played his last game. Cricket’s commentariat have justifiably heaped praise on a gentleman of the game who was respected by all and changed the game for the better:

Adam Gilchrist’s exit leaves more than just big gloves to fill. When pillars crumble, buildings are supposed to collapse. Since their swansong against England a little more than a year ago, Australia have lost Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer and Damien Martyn … Now a third indisputably great cricketer is retiring, too: Adam Gilchrist, a sportsman as versatile and exciting even as Warne but, with his spotless reputation, a man worthy of being every Australian’s hero. — Christopher Martin-Jenkins, The Times

Master blaster walks away. He has walked again. Adam Gilchrist arguably the greatest wicketkeeper/batsman of all time, has removed the problem from the decision-makers once more. At the close of play in Adelaide yesterday he announced that he would be retiring from international cricket at the end of this Australian season. A whole host of bowlers breathe a sigh of relief. — Vic Marks, The Guardian

Gilchrist hangs up his bat and gloves after changing game forever. The most eloquent tribute to the effect Adam Gilchrist had on cricket is that everybody else wanted somebody exactly like him in their team. They were dreaming, of course. There had never been a wicketkeeper-batsman like Gilchrist and maybe there never will be again. — Stephen Brenkley, The Independent

The trailblazer completes his last act. Adam Gilchrist was weary but not exhausted. His baggy green, sweat-lined and with a desperately faded coat of arms, was more ragged than its owner. Relieved and happy that his Test career was over, he had been sad enough at tea that he bawled his eyes out to his team-mates. — Peter English, Cricinfo

Gilly changed the way one looked at keepers. He was larger than life and frankly, the pressure on whoever replaces him is going to be immense. Comparisons will be made straightaway and to match up to the Gilchrist phenomenon will not be easy. — Anil Kumble, Hindustan Times

The timing was perfect for Gilchrist. Adam Gilchrist’s retirement was as much of a surprise for me as it was for his many admirers across the world. However, the timing was perfect for a keeper-batsman who continuously raised standards not only for others around the world, but also for himself — Steve Waugh, The Hindu