Adam Gilchrist pays $4k at auction for a carton of beer adorned with photo of late Andrew Symonds

$4,000 may seem a lot for a carton of beer but Adam Gilchrist didn’t think twice. See why here, plus Gilly’s thoughts on the artificial hill at Optus Stadium and David Warner’s Test career.

As his home city makes provisions for a more sociable Test, Adam Gilchrist has confirmed he recently paid $4000 for a carton of beer he may never get to drink.

Test great and Fox sports commentator Gilchrist is known for his quiet generosity and he was the talk of the Queensland Bulls Masters off season trip to Cairns after an auction of a specially minted Fourex Gold carton of beer adorned with a photo of the late Andrew Symonds.

It was snapped up for $4000 by Jimmy Maher, Bulls Masters boss and one time Australian team-mate of both men, but when Maher attempted to pay Gilchrist jumped in and flashed his credit card.

“I was filling out the forms and Gilly said “I’ve got this’’ and paid for it before saying “but you keep the beer – you deserve it,’’ said Maher, who admitted he shed a tear at the gesture in honour of Symonds, killed in a car accident on May 14, 2022.

Gilchrist, like Maher a very close friend of Symonds, said: “That was a no-brainer. If there was a bloke who deserved a one-off cartoon of Fourex Gold beer done in his honour it was Roy.

Adam Gilchrist at Optus Stadium on Monday. Picture: Getty Images

Andrew Symonds past away last year. Picture: Fox Sports

“Jimmy was pretty determined to win the auction and I’m glad he got it because all he has done for Roy’s family since Roy’s death. Jimmy deserved it but he did not need to be paying for it.’’

Symonds no doubt would have supported the new flavour of the newly christened West Test where four bays of Optus Stadium have been removed to create an artificial hill for next month’s opening Test against Pakistan, enticing patrons who miss the rough and raw feel of the old WACA ground.

“Bringing a bit of the old tradition and heritage of the WACA into a stadium which has all the modern creature comforts now required should be fun. It will soften the outer of such a big stadium.’’

While David Warner’s Test future has been clouded after a modest few years, Gilchrist expects the veteran to be handed the first Test then form will decide whether he gets the three Tests he craves to finish his five-day career in Sydney.

“I’m expecting David Warner to be walking about in the West Test but whether he is there in Sydney is something only he or the selectors is in control of.

“If he scores the runs that warrants selection in Sydney I expect him to be there but that’s his challenge. He is playing beautifully in the one-dayers. He will get his opportunity then it’s up to him to get himself to Sydney.’’