Australian cricketing legend Adam Gilchrist reckoned returning to Old Deer Park was thirsty work after smashing 51 as Middlesex destroyed Glamorgan in the Friends Provident t20 Cup on Tuesday night.

The 38-year-old, playing a competitive game at Richmond for the first time in 21 years, captained the Panthers to their third straight win in the competition since taking over the reigns from Shaun Udal.

Gilchrist spent a year in west London as a 17-year-old before going on to enjoy an illustrious career at the highest level that redefined the wicketkeeper-batsman role in Test and one-day cricket.

And the Sydney-born star, who was looking forward to catch up with old friends, admitted it was an emotional day as his career came full circle.

“It was emotional to come back here. It is fantastic, so for the team to play like they did obviously added to it. It was great,” he said.

“It all happened pretty quickly. I was a little bit later to the ground than I wanted to be, so I was a bit rushed.

“I didn’t get much time to sit down and get all sentimental or too emotional about it, which probably helped me. It brought back very fond memories.

“I’ve often said how important my time here was in my development, so it was pretty amazing to come back here as home captain.

“There is a few of the old boys around ready for a drink so hopefully I can make it for the next game.”

Gilchrist, who finishes his stint with the Panthers on June 24, will lead Middlesex in a tour match against Australia at Lord’s on Saturday and he reckons it will be the perfect way to cap his stay.

“I’m not sure I’ll make it through 50-overs. It has been a while,” he joked.

“It is going to be another unique event and once I saw it was in the schedule I wasn’t going to miss out on it.

“There are a few Australian boys I've played with still in the team and many I haven’t.

“It will be a big thrill to be involved. They are all big matches against Australia whether it is with a county or national team, and I’ll be very proud to represent this club against them.

“It will be very special.”

Gilchrist’s opening salvo and 79 not out from England star Eoin Morgan set up an easy 84-run victory over the Dragons.

It took a devastating 27 in 14 balls from Teddington’s Dawid Malan - including a pavilion clearing six off the bowling of Aussie paceman Shaun Tait - to take his side to a mammoth 213 for four.

Hampstead’s Tom Smith then warmed up for Saturday’s club clash with Twickenham by taking 4-23 and former skipper Udal took 3-24 as Glamorgan were dismissed for 123.