Melbourne, Feb.27 : Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist's wife, Melissa, has revealed that her husband had planned to retire from international cricket at the end of last summer's Ashes series, but she coaxed him into re-thinking his decision.

The 36-year-old would otherwise have joined fellow greats Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer, who all ended their Test careers with Australia's Ashes triumph, after batsman Damien Martyn quit the game mid-series.

"Adam was just so worn out, so, so tired, and it took a lot out of him,'' Melissa Gilchrist told The Australian Women's Weekly.

"When he told me then he was thinking of retiring, I just felt that he needed to rest and build himself back up before he made such a critical decision. And, as a result, he stayed on,'' the Daily Australian quoted Melissa, as saying.

Gilchrist has previously said he had considered making the World Cup his swansong. "In the 12 months leading up to the World Cup I was very much sort of (wondering) will I, won't I and will that be the end?'' he said last October. '

As it turned out, he starred in the World Cup final, belting an incredible 149 off 104 balls in Barbados in April, to lead Australia to an historic third consecutive triumph. He, McGrath and skipper Ricky Ponting were the only players to play in all three champion sides.

Gilchrist went on this summer to take his Test dismissal tally to 416, along the way passing his predecessor Ian Healy (395 dismissals) as the nation's most prolific gloveman.

He also briefly held the world record, overtaking South African Mark Boucher's tally of 413 in his final Test, before Boucher regained the lead against Bangladesh on Sunday.

Melissa Gilchrist said that when her husband eventually did announce he was pulling the pin on his acclaimed career during the Adelaide Test last month, she was certain the timing was right.

"When he rang this time from Adelaide and said, 'Do you know what? I think I'm done,' I just said, 'Yes, go for it, that sounds so right.'''

She said the decision came down to a choice of family over cricket. Gilchrist will complete his international duties at the conclusion of the current tri-series against India and Sri Lanka.

Australia play their final round-robin match against Sri Lanka at the MCG on Friday.

The finals are on Sunday at the SCG, Tuesday in Brisbane, and in Adelaide on Friday, if a decider is required.

ANI