"He's known to be good friend and ally of the Liberal Party. He's been encouraged to come into the fold," said a party source.

"He's always been very helpful to the party, and often comes to Parliament to visit MPs."

Senior NSW Liberals think that drafting Gilchrist would be a gamechanger with large ethnic groups of Indian, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi people in western Sydney. It's hoped his rockstar status in world cricket would propel him into office.