Gilchrist's words illustrates the nature of changing needs

Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist recently signaled the end of his professional cricket playing career as he concluded his final game as captain/coach of the Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League, "To be honest I didn't miss the cricket that much."

Gilchrist went on to say that he didn't have the horrible desire that he was missing out. "There isn't that fire burning in my belly quite like it used to". (He may continue as the coach).

Regarded as the greatest wicket-keeper / batsman in the history of the game, Gilchrist retired from international cricket in 2008. He then turned his attention to the IPL where significant money is available.

Adam Gilchrist played 67 IPL games, scoring 1775 runs at 27.73 and a strike-rate of 140.20. (www.smh.com.au)

Australian cricket team chaplain of 17 years, Dr Mark Tronson (Retired 2000) says that Gilchrist's comments reflect the sentiment of many elite athletes, when it comes to a point in their lives, when being on the pitch loses its savor.

Dr Tronson established Life After Cricket as the Australian cricket chaplain in November 2000 with the Retired Australian Cricketers Bi-Annual Newsletter with an editorial team of Allan Border, David Boon, Greg Chappell, Kim Highes, Cricket NSW and Cricket Victoria.

"In my view Gilchrist's comments come as no surprise as they reflect what many people in his position, whether they be male or female elite athletes, when it's time to step aside from the arena," he explained.

Over many years he's heard athletes from netballers, to hockey players, to Aussie Rules footballers, to Rugby League and Rugby players, motor racing drivers, even Casey Stoner the motor cycling champion, who have all reflected similar sentiments.

(www.visordown.com)

Stoner said: "After a long time thinking, a lot of time talking with my family and my wife, this has been coming for a couple of years now but at the end of this 2012 season I will be not racing in the 2013 Championship. I will be finishing my career at the end of this season in MotoGP, and go forward in different things in my life."

Former Australian cricket team captain Ian Chappell has said many a time that each cricketer will know (in their heart) when it is time.

Ecclesiastes 3 says: "To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven...A time to keep, And a time to throw away..."