2009 Ashes Cricket Tournament Guide to be published this summer

The Ashes is a test cricket series played between England and Australia and is one of international cricket’s most celebrated rivalries, dating back to 1882. In the 2006/2007 ashes series, the visiting English team was devastated as it was “whitewashed” by Australia who regained the famous urn, winning the series 5-0. In 2009 Australia will travel to England and Wales to begin its defence.

On 25th October 1996, Adam Gilchrist entered the international cricketing scene as a wicketkeeper/batsman with the Australian One Day International side. Adam was crucial in the team’s winning performance in the 1999 and 2003 World Cups. Adam has taken a world record of over 400 dismissals in one-day internationals and scored over 8600 runs at a phenomenal strike rate of almost 97 runs per 100 balls faced. In November of 1999 Adam became the Australian test side wicketkeeper, and is the only wicketkeeper to have captained the Australian Test and One Day teams. Since that time, Adam has taken almost 370 dismissals in test matches and scored almost 5300 runs at an incredible strike of over 82 runs per 100 balls faced. Adam reached the 100 and 200 dismissal milestones faster than any other wicketkeeper in test history and he is one of only two players to have averaged greater than 60 going through 3000 test runs. Many critics believe that Adam is the greatest wicketkeeper/batsman to have played the game. He already holds the record for the most sixes hit in Test cricket (97) and played Test cricket in much the same way as he played One-Day Internationals. In 2004 Adam was selected in Richie Benaud’s All Time Greatest Team. He joined Sir Donald Bradman, Dennis Lillee and Shane Warne who were also chosen in this illustrious team.

In June of 2009, a very special, high-quality, guide will be released entitled 'Adam Gilchrist’s Guide to the 2009 Ashes'. This photo driven publication will contain an in-depth schedule of the tour, a TV broadcast schedule, information on the teams and grounds, as well as incredible insight from Adam Gilchrist himself. The publication will also contain editorial features from respected players and commentators such as Ian Chappell, David Gower, Ian Botham, and Richie Benaud.

• News