Adam Gilchrist’s swansong appearance at his home turf followed a perfect script as the retiring Australian struck his 16th ODI ton to guide the hosts to a 63-run victory over Sri Lanka in the cricket tri-series in Perth on Friday.Gilchrist struck 118 on his final appearance at WACA before the Australian bowlers came up with a superlative show to help the side bag a bonus point as well before climbing to the top of the points table.It was Gilchrist’s rather cultured 132-ball knock in the ground he has made his home that propped up the hosts who survived maverick Lasith Malinga’s four-wicket haul before being all out for 236 in 49.4 overs.In reply, Sri Lanka never got going, losing wickets at regular intervals with only Kumar Sangakkara (80) putting up some semblance of a fight. The islanders were eventually shot out for a meagre 173 in 45.3 overs.Australia’s pace duo of Nathan Bracken (3-21) and Mitchell Johnson (3-29) shared six wickets among them, one of those rare occasions when Brett Lee (1-49) was outshone by his colleagues.Gilchrist was the obvious choice for the Man of the Match award even though his was a rather uncharacteristic knock today, sans the fireworks that has been the hallmark of his batting.It was on three occasions that the he broke loose and every time the ball sailed over the ropes.With this win, Australia now lead the table with 12 points from four matches, followed by India (8), while the Lankans have six points having played as many games.
