Former Australian test cricketer and captain Adam Gilchrist was the guest of honour at Bellingen Shire when he unveiled a commemorative bronze sculpture of himself.
Local cricket clubs had earlier conducted fundraising to assist the Bellingen Council to commission the bronze commemorating Adam’s birthplace.
Mayor Mark Troy said Adam Gilchrist is widely regarded as the greatest wicketkeeper/batsman to have played the game.
“His manner and spirit in which he has always played has made him one of the world’s most popular cricketers,” he said.
“Our community is proud and delighted to have welcomed Adam back to Bellingen.”
Adam Gilchrist was born in Bellingen Hospital although his family lived at Dorrigo.
Stan, Adam’s father, was Science Master at Dorrigo High School and the family left the district shortly after Adam’s birth.
Adam Gilchrist entered the international cricketing scene as a wicket keeper batsman with the Australian One Day International side against South Africa in October 1996.
In November 1999, Adam replaced Ian Healy as wicketkeeper in the Australian test side in Brisbane against Pakistan.
Since that time, Adam has taken a mammoth 416 dismissals in his 96 test matches for Australia scoring 5570 runs, including 17 test centuries, at an incredible strike of 82 runs per 100 balls faced at a career average of just under 50.
Adam is the only wicketkeeper in Australia to have captained the Australian Test and One Day teams and is acknowledged for his leadership and outstanding contribution to the Australian team in both forms of the game.
