Gilchrist in line for top job

He has played only eleven Tests but Adam Gilchrist may be given the honour of continuing Australia's world record winning streak from the front in the Third Test against West Indies, beginning in Adelaide in twelve days' time.

Although he is still awaiting an official appointment, Gilchrist is almost certain to get the nod after captain Steve Waugh pulled out of the Adelaide Test as the result of a muscle strain in his left buttock.

"I'd love to be offered the captaincy - as would ten other players in the team," Gilchrist said. "I've captained WA (Western Australia) on several occasions in first-class cricket and enjoyed the experience and hopefully that experience will hold me in good stead if I'm appointed."

Mindful of the pressures that come with the task of trying to make on-field decisions while keeping, Australian selectors have traditionally been reluctant to appoint wicketkeepers as captains, and the Third Test might represent the first occasion on which a wicketkeeper has led an Australian Test team since Barry Jarman replaced an injured Bill Lawry at Leeds in 1968.

Before Jarman's one-off elevation, the last wicketkeeper to lead Australia was Jack Blackham, who captained the country for eight Tests, the last of which was in 1894-95.

However, Waugh believes the popular and articulate Gilchrist is capable of doing the job.

"He's the sort of bloke who thrives on responsibility," he said. "It's a good opportunity to see how he goes and whether he can take it on later down the track."

"He's the vice-captain; it'd be silly not to make him captain," he said.

Waugh, who played with some discomfort during today's record-breaking victory, was confident the replacement would do a fine job.

"I won't be playing in Adelaide but I hope to be back for the Christmas (Fourth) Test," he said. "But I'm sure the team will survive without me. The positives coming out of it are someone else will get a chance to captain Australia and someone else will get a chance to play for Australia."

The appointment would complete an incredible start to the Test career of Gilchrist, who made 81 on debut before going on to notch up an unbeaten match-winning 149 against Pakistan in only his second match. Earlier this year, he also snared an Australian-record ten dismissals in the Third Test against New Zealand in Hamilton.

"He's won eleven Tests, played eleven and probably (been responsible for) four or five (victories) all by himself so it's a great start to his Test career," said Waugh.