By IANS
Melbourne : Although Adam Gilchrist’s fine 83 went waste as Australia lost to Sri Lanka in an inconsequential match here Friday, the left-hander became the first Australian to reach 300 runs in the Commonwealth Bank Triangular Series.
He has now scored 313 runs at an average of 39.12, including a century and two half-centuries, in eight matches.
India’s Gautam Gambhir leads the run scorers’ list with 422 at 70.33 in eight matches.
In his last innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Gilchrist posted his 55th half-century and fourth against Sri Lanka. His 50-ball knock, during which he scored at a strike rate of 166.00, is his fastest amongst his 80-plus innings in one-dayers.
Against Sri Lanka, Gilchrist has maintained a batting average of 50.00 while scoring 1,511 runs in 30 matches at an average of 50.36, including six centuries, and at a strike rate of 105.81.
Gilchrist is now the leading run-getter in Australia-Sri Lanka ODIs, eclipsing Aravinda de Silva’s aggregate of 1,451 at 48.36 in 36 matches, including two centuries and 10 half-centuries.
It was Australia’s first century partnership for the first wicket in 18 ODIs since the 172-run stand by Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden against Sri Lanka in the World Cup final at Bridgetown April 28 last year.
Gilchrist was adjudged the Man of the Match for the 27th time. His tally is bettered only by captain Ricky Ponting (28).
Sri Lanka have won four out of 11 matches against Australia at the MCG. Their 13-run win is their eighth win in 40 ODIs against Australia in Australia.
Under Mahela Jayawardene’s captaincy, Sri Lanka posted their first win against Australia in six matches.
Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan became the first Sri Lankan to claim 50 wickets against Australia with the scalp of James Hopes. The break-up of his 51 wickets against Australia is: 46 in 34 matches for Sri Lanka and five in three matches for the International Cricket Council World XI.
Muralitharan equalled Pakistani Waqar Younis’ dubious distinction of playing 139 innings without a half-century.
Ishara Amerasinghe’s three wickets for 44 runs was his best bowling performance, surpassing his three wickets for 49 runs against India at Adelaide this month.
Fast bowler Brett Lee made his career high 37 runs, off 59 balls, against Sri Lanka, outstripping his 20 made in Sydney in January 2003.
Kumar Sangakkara was the only Sri Lankan to amass 300 runs in the tri-series. He now has 326 at 46.57, including one century and one half-century, in eight matches.
With Sanath Jayasuriya’s wicket, Nathan Bracken became the first bowler to bag 15 wickets in the ongoing series. He has now taken 18 wickets at 15.22 apiece in eight games.
Lee, with 15 wickets at 17.66 runs apiece, became the second bowler in the competition to bag 15 wickets.
Four of out six four-wicket hauls by Bracken have come against Sri Lanka. He has now taken 35 wickets at 12.20 in 13 matches against Sri Lanka.
Sanath Jayawardene, with his 50 off 66 balls, emulated Aravinda de Silva’s Sri Lankan record for most half-centuries (10) against Australia.
Dilshan’s 62 runs off 70 balls is his 12th half-century — his first against Australia.