"The moment of clarity arrived between the ball hitting my gloves and the ground," the 36-year-old said on Monday evening, moments after having finished his Test career. "It made me realise in the ensuing 10 or 15 minutes that that's it. I'm not moving quite as well as I have, not just on the field but in training and my fitness. I just realised I didn't have the absolute desperation that you need to continue to maintain your standards. I was still enjoying my cricket and my role in the side, but that desperation was missing."

Despite signing off as Test cricket's most successful gloveman, Gilchrist will be remembered more for his brilliance in front of the stumps than his exploits behind it.

"I have no doubt about it, that's fine and I won't grumble. I have always felt I had to defend my keeping a bit because of the high-quality work of those that had kept wickets for Australia before me. I am not as technically perfect and graceful as them. I don't think anyone in this room has missed the fact that I did miss a few chances this series. It was bugging me and I couldn't understand why."

Gilchrist revealed that his greatest memories of playing cricket for Australia would revolve around the camaraderie in the team. "The pride and passion in playing in that team is something that is very dear to every Australian," he pointed out. "The way that legacy is passed on is the most glaring strength in Australian cricket. I'm certain I'm seeing it happen in other countries as well."

His greatest achievement in a glittering career, he said, was the Test series win in India in 2004, Australia's first triumph on Indian soil in 35 years. Gilchrist was at the helm for three of the four Tests after Ricky Ponting broke his thumb during the Champions Trophy. "From that moment on, I started to get nervous and had a few self doubts and considered not taking it (the captaincy) on," he admitted. "To captain that team for the bulk of the series and be part of the leadership group that constructed that victory was the highest point and greatest achievement of my career personally."

Gilchrist added that signing off his international career by playing limited-overs cricket was almost perfect. "I am looking forward to the next one month. I am thrilled that I didn't pull out of one-day cricket to extend my Test career. One-day cricket gave me my chance to make a statement to the selectors and to the world. That filtered into Tests. To now play the last part of my career in one-day cricket, I am so excited about it."