The Hindu : Sport : Double delight

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Saturday, Feb 16, 2008
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Double delight

Special Correspondent

Perth: After his farewell hundred at the WACA, Adam Gilchrist said, “It turned out to be a perfect day. A century in the last game and a win. That was really satisfying. We weren’t sure what sort of total we needed to post.”

About the pitch for the game, he said, “It was an interesting wicket. A bit tense there through our bowling period but the guys turned it on when we needed to.”

Gilchrist did concede he was a touch nervous about his last international innings at the WACA. “I was more nervous about it than any other day leading into here and I’m glad it’s done and I’m thrilled with how it’s gone.”

He thanked his teammates for a special hundred in front of the home crowd. “That celebration, it felt like the guys I was batting with, the teammates, were willing me on to that 100. I wanted to start going harder at around 75 to 80 to step up the tempo, which obviously brings risk, but the message came out to keep going. I thought I was slow today but the Punter sent a message that the pitch was made for such an innings.”

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene showered praise on Gilchrist. “Gilly’s had a remarkable career. He showed a lot of class. It’s an amazing career, I think Gilly has done international cricket a world of good. He’s changed the concept of a wicketkeeper-batsman in Test and one-day cricket.”

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