Gilchrist gives Perth one to remember

Adam Gilchrist has given his adoptive home Perth a perfect farewell by scoring a magnificent 118 from 132 balls in the Commonwealth Bank series match against Sri Lanka.

Gilchrist treated the Perth crowd with some big hitting, and some immense strokeplay during his knock. "It turned out to be the perfect day, really," Gilchrist said after the game. The media and public were wondering if he could produce one more smashing innings for his home town, and he delivered, and didn’t really look like getting out besides a few moments.

Gilchrist walked out to a standing ovation when he, and partner Matthew Hayden walked out to bat, after captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat. But he seemed to settle the nerves by getting off the mark with a push to the leg side first ball.

Gilchrist was in great touch, showing that with his 2^nd ball which he smashed to the cover boundary against Malinga. Gilchrist punished the bowlers whenever they pitched full or short, going to 50 from 57 balls, a far cry from when he smashed a century from the same number against England just 14 months earlier. He hit 2 sixes before going to 50, one straight down the ground off Maharoof which was brilliantly taken by a spectator, and a superb pull shot that went over the square leg boundary for 6 to bring up his 50.

The wicket/keeper batsman blasted his way to 60 before slowing down as he neared a century. He decided to take it easy and just nudge the ball around, as he got his way to 90 before really slowing down. Gilchrist took six overs to get from 90 to 100, with other batsmen, who were trying to nurse him there falling at regular intervals.

Before reaching the century, there was one half chance with Gilchrist pulling a ball in the air on 78, only for Malinga not to dive at the ball. The pressure got to him before the century, and it seemed to get to Michael Clarke as well, as they both ran off the field to take what seemed a toilet break. Gilchrist was very animated as he finally reached the century, his 6^th against Sri Lanka, his 16^th overall, and his 2^nd with his favourite squash ball. He then acknowledged the 17,000+ strong crowd before acknowledging wife Mel, and Michael Hussey.

He was able to free his arms after the milestone, hitting a six, and a couple of 2s and 3s before being dropped in the outfield by Kapugedera. Kapugedera was able to redeem himself for the next ball when Gilchrist tried to launch Malinga over the rope one too many times, only for him to miscue the ball straight in the air.

He was then giving a standing reception as he walked off the ground. He also capped off the match with a catch off the bowling of Brad Hogg.

Gilly then acknowledged the crowd during his post match interview. "It is amazing. Look, it's been a great journey. A few trials, tribulations, but it's just been wonderful. I want to say thank you for the WACA crowd. Gilchrist then told everyone after the game how nervous he was walking out to bat. "I was really really nervous. In fact I have never felt more nervous than what I felt today. In a way I am pleased that it's done here. The reception I got was amazing and terrific,”

Adam Gilchrist continues his final one day series on Sunday, as Australia play India at Adelaide over.