Gilchrist cracks blazing 149 as Australia pile up 281 for four

Bridgetown, Barbados, Apr 28 (UNI) Adam Gilchrist made a mincemeat of Sri Lankan bowling as he fired a stunning 104-ball 149 to propel defending champions Australia to a commanding 281 for 4 off 38 overs in the truncated final of the cricket World Cup here today.

Playing in his 268th one-dayer, Gilchrist smashed the reputation of Sri Lankan bowlers to pieces as he blasted eight huge sixes and 13 boundaries on way to his 15th century and, along with Matthew Hayden, put up 174-run opening wicket partnership to lay a solid foundation for his team's bid to claim the title for the third time in a row.

The strapping Australian keeper in fact reached his 100 in just 72 balls, which included eight fours and six sixes. When Gilchrist departed in the 31st over of the match which was reduced to 38 overs a side due to rain, the defending champions were in a commanding position at 224 for 2.

The other opener Hayden, the highest scorer in this World Cup, was not in his elements best but gave Gilchrist solid support and never allowed the bowlers to dominate.

Gilchrist, who survived a sharp chance when on 31 being dropped by Dilhara Fernando off his own bowling, dominated the proceedings as he punished the Sri Lankan bowling without any mercy.

Though his highest score was 174, this was no doubt his best innings for his side. In 1999 final against Pakistan at the Lord's, he had a knock of 54 from 36 balls; in 2003 against India at Johnannesburg, he made 57 from 48. But today he destroyed the opposition bowling with a ferocity not seen in this tournament so far.

The Australian opening pair took time to read the Lankan bowling especially that of Lasith Malinga, whom they have not faced so far.

But once Gilchrist gauged the pace and bounce of the pitch, there was no stopping him.

Gilchrist made his intention clear when he blasted Chaminda Vaas for a big six over long on and then hit him to mid on fence in the third over to seize the initative from the bowlers.

After Fernando dropped him, Gilchrist punished him with two fours and a six and suddenly all the Sri Lankan plans to contain rampaging Australians went haywire.

The first 50 of the innings came off 64 balls and after that runs came in torrent with Gilchrist sending bowlers to leather hunt. He hit Fernando, Tillakaratne Dilsan and Jaysuriya for two sixes each and took a six each off Muttiah Muralitharan and Vaas.

Malinga was given some respect by the Australan openers as he finished his first spell of four overs conceding only six runs but when he came back Hayden greeted him with a six over the long off.

He gave away 43 runs in his next four overs though in this spell he took two wickets also.

Star spinner Muralitharan also flattered to deceive, and ended wicketless giving away 44 runs off seven overs.

Hayden was the first to go when the team total was 172. He miscued a shot and Mahela Jayawardene took an easy catch to give Malinga his first wicket. The broad-shouldered opener faced 55 balls to score 38 which included one six and three fours.

A 52-run second wicket partnership followed between Gilchrist and skipper Ricky Ponting before Gilchrist virtually threw away his wicket as he went for a big shot but could not properly control it and was caught at midwicket by Chamara Silva and Fernando made amends of his early costly lapse.

Gilchrist went when the team score was 224 from 30.3 overs and in the remaining 7.3 overs Australians added 57 runs losing two more wickets. Ponting scored 37 before being run out. He hit a six off Malinga and a four in his 42-ball knock.

UNI