In a compelling European Cricket Studio live session with Michael McCann, Ryan Campbell touched on his early cricketing experiences with Aussie legend Adam Gilchrist, who he lovingly calls “the geek with big ears,” and one of his “greatest friends.“

European Cricket Studio – Adam Gilchrist –The Geek with Big Ears!

Ryan, currently the head coach of the Netherlands, told Michael in “This is McCann” -- live on Instagram -- of his first encounter with the future great of the game, Adam Gilchrist, better known as "Gilly".

During Ryan’s formative years in Western Australia, first-choice glovesman Tim Zoehrer was approaching retirement. Both “Cambo” and Adam “Gilly” Gilchrist would later go onto represent Australia as wicket-keeper batsmen, but back then, both were starting their journeys as emerging cricketers.

“He was playing for New South Wales, while we had Tim Zoehrer, who was obviously a quality wicket-keeper batsman for WA and Australia. I was the number two as a youngster at WA, but was sent to the cricket academy under Rod Marsh’s tuition. At that time, the academy was basically a finishing school, you went there to get ready to play first-class cricket.

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“I had a knock on my door and in came this geek with big ears! He looked at me and said: Hi, I’m Adam Gilchrist and I just wanted to sound you out and tell you I’ve been asked to move to WA. That to me just summed up the guy. He was a brilliant person and one of my greatest friends. But he wanted to tell me in person what is happening and didn’t want you to find out in any other way.

With the arrival of a talented new rival on the horizon, Ryan, an integral part of the broadcast team as an expert analyst at the inaugural European Cricket League –ECL19 –understandably began to have doubts about his fledgling cricketing career.

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“At that point, I thought my career is screwed, because I knew how good Adam Gilchrist was. He hadn’t set the world on fire but you know! You just know, we had all heard the stories. I then had a heart to heart with Rod Marsh at the academy and was not even sure if I should even stay or go home.

“He said: No mate -You are going to be an opening batsman. I have always believed you can open the batting with your attacking, aggressive style. You have never done it before but you are doing it now, I’m telling you. I ended up playing around 75% of my career as an opener for WA, before taking over the gloves from Adam.”

There will be a more honest and open discussion with guest Ryan Campbell on “This is McChat” with Michael McCann on Wednesday’s European Cricket Studio. Get your questions in using #ECstudio on twitter or message @europeancricket on Instagram. Ryan will answer these questions and more during a one-hour interactive chat - LIVE ON INSTAGRAM -1500 GMT * 1700 CET * 2030 IST.