Grounded Gilchrist takes off

Man of the match Gilchrist then took three catches behind the stumps as Zimbabwe managed just 196 for six in reply. Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak, who promoted himself from seventh to sixth in the batting order, top-scored for his side for the third successive match with an unbeaten 64 after leading the bowling attack with three for 50.

Gilchrist, 32, scored his 10th century in his 180th one-day international before he was bowled by Sean Ervine one run short of the Australia record held by Mark Waugh, who scored 173 against West Indies in 2000-01.

Gilchrist, who was dropped on 36, 71 and 159, shared century partnerships with Matthew Hayden, who made a typically aggressive 63, and captain Ricky Ponting 37.

Gilchrist had opened the one-day series with a pair of 34s in last week8217;s wins over India and Zimbabwe after averaging only 16.00 in the drawn four-test series against India, which ended earlier this month. With Hayden he put on 140 for the first wicket in 22.3 overs before Streak broke the opening stand when he had Hayden caught by Vusi Sibanda at mid wicket.

Ponting was caught at long off from the bowling of spinner Grant Flower at 246 for two 8212; Flower8217;s 100th wicket in 66 ODIs.