Pollock says retiring Gilchrist was fantastic player

By Telford Vice

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (Reuters) - South Africa's Shaun Pollock called Adam Gilchrist a fantastic player after the Australian said on Saturday that he was retiring.

"He was a fantastic player and a great opponent," fellow all-rounder Pollock told Reuters after Gilchrist stunned the cricketing world by quitting all forms of the game.

"People used to say Australia didn't have enough all-rounders, but he kept wicket fantastically well and he averaged 50 batting at number seven.

"You couldn't ask for a better all-rounder than that.

"You didn't feel comfortable until you got him out."

Gilchrist said he was quitting test cricket after the current match against India ends at Adelaide Oval on Monday and then one-day internationals at the end of the forthcoming triangular series against India and Sri Lanka.

Gilchrist's retirement follows Pollock's decision earlier this month to quit the game following the current home one-day series against West Indies.

"It's been really good to be able to say goodbye to people, and I'm sure Adam will appreciate the chance to do that," Pollock said.