Adam Gilchrist became aware of an impending wicketkeeping milestone when he walked into the Australian dressing room before the fifth Ashes cricket Test and looked over Shane Warne's shoulder.

Warne was surfing the Internet, checking a website which happened to show Gilchrist required three dismissals at the Oval to reach 100 in the 22nd Test of his already outstanding career.

Only 21.3 overs were bowled on a wet, miserable and wasted fourth day as Australia restricted England's first innings to 431 and enforced the follow-on, but Gilchrist had enough time to create a little slice of history.

England finished the fourth day at 1-40 in its second innings, still needing 169 to make the tourists bat again, with Marcus Trescothick 20no and Mark Butcher 11.

Having already taken the catch which gave Shane Warne his 400th Test wicket, Gilchrist featured in both of the morning's breakthroughs to become the fastest ever gloveman to 100, one Test quicker than South African Mark Boucher.

He accepted a regulation snick from Mark Ramprakash (133) off Glenn McGrath, tossing the ball high in the air to celebrate, then whipped off the bails to stump Darren Gough for 24 off Warne.

"I was aware of the achievement because before the game Shane Warne had baggygreen.com.au up on a computer and it had all the facts and figures of the squad there," said Gilchrist.

"I knew I was on 97 dismissals going into the Test.

"It's a nice personal milestone to achieve but the fact that I'm the quickest ever wicketkeeeper to that mark is more a testament to the bowlers I'm playing with.

"When you've got the likes of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee on your side, as we've had in this series, there's always going to be the chance that edges will be found and the opportunities are created.

Gilchrist's work behind the stumps has not been perfect this series. Byes and fumbles have been a little too frequent even though botched opportunities for wickets have been rare.

Australian coach John Buchanan can remember when another great Australian gloveman was criticised for having supposed "iron gloves," which is much worse than Gilchrist can be accused of.

"I remember growing up as a kid and Rod Marsh was getting the same sort of criticism as Adam, Ian Healy as well," said Buchanan.

"Adam continues to work on his game and will continue to try and improve it, but in terms of those achievements and statistics, they speak for themselves."

Gilchrist and Buchanan began their Australian duties in the same match - first Test versus Pakistan at the Gabba in November, 1999 - and the national side has recorded 18 wins and three losses since.

"He's been integral to that success," said Buchanan.

"Apart from the ability to make very, very good dismissals behind the wickets, both back and up, his batting has been a revelation at seven.

"His presence around the dressing room, his leadership qualities, his sense of the game, his attitude, just his whole presence around the team has been quite instrumental to the results we've had."

Asked if any player had been more influential to Australia's rise to world dominance, Buchanan said: "Steve Waugh as captain has been the most influential character.

"It's very hard to weigh up percentages."

The rain on day four meant only two results were possible on the final day of the series - an Australian win or a draw.

Either way, the Ashes belong to Australia, if only in spirit.

Waugh will receive a commemorative trophy while the real Ashes urn remains locked away at Lord's.

© 2001 AAP