Centurion Gilchrist propels Australia to 281/4

Adam Gilchrist played a dream knock of 149 to propel defending champions Australia to a massive 281 for four wickets in 38 overs against Sri Lanka in the truncated World Cup final here Saturday.

Gilchrist, who has not been in his bets form so far in the 16-nation tournament, rose to the occasion after heavy morning rains delayed the start of the match. He duly registered his 15th century as Australia dominated the Sri Lankan bowlers who looked pedestrian on a pitch that offered little in humid conditions.

Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden gave Australia a whirlwind start after captain Ponting won the toss and decided to bat first at Kensington Oval. When the action started much time was lost and hence 12 overs each were cut from both innings.

Gilchrist, who had failed in the semi-final against South Africa, and Hayden went after the Sri Lankan attack that was the same that helped beat New Zealand in the semi-final. They gave little respect to all six bowlers pressed into service as the openers played their strokes with gusto, particularly Gilchrist.

The combination of a left-hander, Gilchrist, and a right-hander, Hayden, also played a part in unsettling the bowlers. They raised 172 for the opening wicket inside 23 overs to take the wind out of the Sri Lankans.

Under their onslaught, Sri Lankans' fielding fell apart and there were many slips under pressure. Gilchrist finally got out when he top edged a pull shot off pacer Dilhara Fernando and Chamara Silva took the skier at mid wicket. He scored a 149 - the highest score at a World Cup final - off 104 balls and at a fabulous strike rate of 143.26.

The left-hander hammered savage 13 boundaries and eight gigantic sixes as he completely dominated the time he was at the crease.

Hayden was the second best batsman with 38 while Ponting scored 37. Fast bowler Lasith Malinga took two wickets to be the most successful bowler.

SCOREBOARD

Final, Australia vs. Sri Lanka, World Cup, Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados

Australia: Adam Gilchrist c Silva b Fernando 149 Matthew Hayden c Jayawardene b Malinga 38Ricky Ponting run out (Jayawardene) 37Andrew Symonds not out 23Shane Watson b Malinga 3Michael Clarke not out 8Extras: (lb 4, w 16, nb 3) 23 Total: (for four wickets in 38 overs) 281

Fall of wickets: 1-172 (Hayden, 22.5 overs), 2-224 (Gilchrist, 30.3), 3-261 (Ponting, 35.4), 4-266 (Watson, 36.2)

Bowling: Chaminda Vaas 8 0 54 0 (2nb, 1w) Lasith Malinga 8 1 49 2Dilhara Fernando 8 0 74 1 (1nb, 4w) Muttiah Muralitharan 7 0 44 0 (2w) Tillakaratne Dilshan 2 0 23 0 (1w) Sanath Jayasuriya 5 0 33 0

Toss: Australia (decided to bat)Umpires: Steve Bucknor (West Indies) and Aleem Dar (Pakistan)TV umpire: Rudi Koertzen (South Africa) Reserve umpire: Brent Bowden (New Zealand)Match referee: Jeff Crowe (New Zealand)

(IANS)

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