Parker gets the message

A PRE-FIGHT text from cricket great Adam Gilchrist has inspired Australian boxer Caitlin Parker to move within sight of a dream Games gold.

Parker guaranteed herself at least a bronze on the Gold Coast after upsetting favourite and former European champion Natasha Gale in their 75kg quarter-final yesterday.

She later revealed a message from one of her mentors, the former Australian Test wicketkeeper, had her fired up in the ring.

“Congrats on making the Australian team and wishing you all the best for a great Games. We’ll be watching with lots of pride and you’ll do great. Trust your training, Gilly,” the text read.

Parker, who, like Gilchrist, hails from Western Australia, said Gilchrist and boxing champion Danny Green had been particularly beneficial to have in her corner.

“(Gilchrist was) my mentor for the Sports Australia Hall of Fame scholarship program in 2015,” she said. “We’d meet up a couple of times and see how I was going, giving me advice that I’ve needed.

“He’d always give me a call or message before my fights. He’s been really good for me.”

Despite giving up almost eight years and six centimetres to her English counterpart, the 21-year-old Parker out-hustled and outsmarted her opponent.

“My neck was getting pulled back constantly,” Parker said.

“It didn’t stop me, or how I was going. I had a plan there and it turned out well.”

Parker can progress to a gold medal fight if she beats Nigerian Millicent Agboegbulem in Friday night’s semi-final.

Clay Waterman, 21, advanced to the quarter-finals in the 81kg division after edging Scottish fighter Sean Lazzarini by split decision.