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Gilchrist takes aim at critics after win

Source: The Age - February 14, 2006

Record-breaking swashbuckler Adam Gilchrist took aim at his and Simon Katich's critics after the pair led Australia to a memorable tri-series final victory.

Gilchrist belted the fastest one-day century ever by an Australian to spearhead the world champions to a nine-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the series decider at the Gabba.

He also combined for a record 196-run opening stand with an emotional Katich, who broke through for his maiden one-day ton as the home side chased down the tourists 9-266 in the 46th over.

"Tonight was brilliant I just loved it," said man-of-the-match Gilchrist.

"It was a very special partnership with Kato after the scrutiny that he's been under.

"We just tried to stay positive and that's what the team did. I felt the team's been dealt some pretty (heavy) criticism in the series.

"Half way through the series we had people and certain journalists say neither he or I should be in the team going forward so to get a night like tonight should free you up a bit.

"That is very very satisfying result to prove them wrong."

Four weeks ago Adam Gilchrist left the Gabba a tired, castigated and out of form figure. On Tuesday, he returned as a record-breaking super-hero.

The destructive keeper-batsman brought up his 14th limited-overs ton in just 67 balls while Katich made an unbeaten 107 from 142 balls.

Gilchrist's blazing knock of 122 (91 balls), including 13 fours and four sixes, ensured Australia became just the fifth team in the 27-year history of the triangular tournament to fight back from a 1-0 finals deficit to win.

The more measured Katich, under immense pressure from Phil Jaques to keep his place for the upcoming tour of South Africa, played the perfect foil to his fellow left-hander.

Gilchrist, given a life by Sanath Jayasuriya on 20, made Sri Lanka pay dearly for a swirling missed skier off Ruchira Perera.

His century was the equal sixth fastest of all time and required six balls less than his previous Australian record of 73 balls for his ton against the World XI at Telstra Dome in October.

His second 50 came off only 29 balls.

Gilchrist's second swashbuckling hundred in five matches marks a remarkable turnaround for the vice-captain since his last visit to Brisbane.

He left the Gabba then after a first-ball duck, 24 runs from his previous five one-day bats and a dissent citing after clashing with umpire Aleem Dar.

At the time selectors decided to give him a two-match rest designed to recharge tiring batteries.

The only halt to Australia's charge was provided by a section of the 26,139-strong crowd which protested against new spectator restrictions with a continuous Mexican wave that saw rubbish rain onto the outfield.

With fellow veteran Glenn McGrath unavailable for the six-match South African series, pacemen Nathan Bracken (3-44) and Stuart Clark (2-45) showed they were ready to step into the breach.

Bracken, gaining good swing with the new ball, reduced the tourists to 2-28 in the eighth over after they won the toss and batted on a good track.

They could have been in worse trouble but Katich and Mick Lewis both missed regulation catches in the field.

Mahela Jayawardene (86 off 91), Russel Arnold (76 off 70) and Kumar Sangakkara (59 off 85) then punished the errors and grabbed the ascendancy at 3-200 after 40 overs.

The crowd was given extra value for their money with Ricky Ponting and man of the series Andrew Symonds pulling off sensational outfield catches.

Symonds' third grab of the innings - a diving effort at deep cover to dismiss Chamara Kapugedera (9) - was his best but it paled in comparison with Ponting's belief-defying lunging overhead catch.

"I thought it was gone. I thought it was going to lob over me," said Ponting.