Shane Warne's death has shocked the cricketing world. It's been almost a week since the Australian spin legend passed away in Thailand on March 4, but his fans and close ones are still finding it hard to accept the sad reality, with Adam Gilchrist among those.
Adam Gilchrist, the great former Australian wicketkeeper-batter, revealed that he had been in contact with Warne probably eight hours before his death. He also revealed the nickname given by the late spin wizard.
Gilchrist told ABC News: “I spoke to Shane about a week ago. I received a really nice text from him. Probably, I am assuming this was eight hours before he passed away. He was just sending me a message. He was one of the few guys that consistently called me church. It’s a nickname only those in the inner circle knew about – about being confused by a young English fan and they called me 'Eric Gilchurch'. He always called me 'Churchy' and it always felt like a term of endearment from a friend.”
Read Also: Shane Warne’s mortal remains arrive in Melbourne, Australia on a private jet
He added, “He messaged me saying, 'Church, wonderful tribute to Rod Marsh'. Which I was very honored to do a voice-over. We were not even close to coming to terms with the passing of my childhood hero in Rod Marsh and another legend of the cricket world. Warnie just messaged me and said 'well done on that sir'. So that was the last contact. It's a text message I will never delete.”
Gilchrist, who as a wicket-keeper, witnessed the magic of Warne from close, said that keeping wickets to the late leg-spinner will remain the highlight of his career. He said, “It was the highlight of my cricketing career, simple as that. Forget the runs and everything, to keep wicket to Shane Warne… Ian Healy and I pretty much exclusively had the best seat in the house to watch a maestro at work. It all started at the top of his bowling mark. In fact, it actually started when he took his hat off. And the crowd knew that he was about to come on to bowl. Give the hat to the umpire, get to the top of the mark.”
He concluded, “And then the theatrics. It was almost like a film director… a Spielberg type persons there. Just pulling the strings and setting everything and building it up… to the moment, when he invariably got his prey. It was an amazing angle and I would say that a very close and personal part of my journey was that keeper-bowler relationship with Shane.”
