GOLD COAST BULLETIN

Saturday, February 16, 2008

A FAIRYTALE, farewell century from Adam Gilchrist and a vital cameo from Brad Hogg saw Australia mark their wicketkeeper’s last game in Perth with a vital 63-run win to send them to the top of the Tri-Series table. A sensible and at-times sparkling 118 from the 36-year-old Gilchrist was the perfect goodbye to more than 17,000 Perth fans, who booed him on debut for Western Australia 14 years earlier, but afforded his curtain call the kind of reception reserved for the very special few. And while his batting colleagues failed to back Gilchrist up, resulting in a below-par total of 236, Hogg’s two wickets in two balls and excellent spells from Nathan Bracken (3-21) and Mitchell Johnson (3-29) rendered Kumar Sangakkara’s 80 meaningless. Gilchrist posted his 16th oneday ton, and the first since the World Cup final against Sri Lanka in 2007. Two early boundaries off Lasith Malinga set the tone, and he continued untroubled with a six off Nuwan Kulasekara bringing up his 50 in 57 deliveries. With a century partnership alongside Michael Clarke, an Australian total of 300-plus looked likely – until two blows sent the innings into decline. First Clarke (43) was struck a nasty blow to the ribs by Malinga, and four runs later he was equally inconvenienced by Muralitharan’s doosra to leave Australia 3-171. With Gilchrist dealing in singles to ensure his milestone, Andrew Symonds’ ugly swipe gave Mike Hussey the opportunity to celebrate Gilchrist’s century with him in the middle.