Gilchrist 'excited' by retirement

Adam Gilchrist considers retirement "almost daily" and could bow out at the 2007 World Cup. The end-of-career revelation, which is based on his desire to spend more time with his family, comes despite an amazing surge of three run-a-ball centuries in his last four Tests and baseball interest from the Boston Red Sox.

In an interview with Inside Cricket Gilchrist said he was "excited" when he thought about not touring. "The big question which I find myself pondering on an almost daily basis lately is how much longer can this last?" he said. "That's why my battle to survive in cricket these next few years is going to be a mental battle more than a physical one. It seems I'm always questioning myself now as to whether I should be away and how good it would be to be at home."

Gilchrist, 33, said he has felt like this since his two children were born. "At this stage Harrison and Annie are at an age where it's all lost on them," he said. "But by the time they reach a stage where they can identify with what I've done or where I fit in society, I plan on being around a lot more and in a better position to keep a rein on things."

The World Cup in the West Indies is Gilchrist's "carrot" to continue playing. "I suspect I won't be going around three years from now," he said. "That's providing I still warrant a place in the one-day team and even that's coming from a guy who's said he's never going to go on and on and sap it for everything possible."

During his last four Tests against Pakistan and New Zealand Gilchrist scored 113, 121, 162 and 60 not out. At the end of the 2-0 series win against the Kiwis an approach from the Red Sox, who were impressed by his clean hitting, was revealed.