Gilchrist hundred thrashes Queensland
Adam Gilchrist elbowed his way into form for next week's first Ashes Test by hitting the second-fastest hundred in Australia one-day domestic history. His brutal 131 included 17 fours and four sixes as Western Australia trounced Queensland by 81 runs at P
Cricinfo staff
17-Nov-2006
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Western Australia 6 for 340 (Langer 51, Gilchrist 131, Gilles 3-51) beat Queensland 259 (Perren 55, Philipson 73) by 81 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
Adam Gilchrist elbowed his way into form for next week's first Ashes Test by hitting the second-fastest hundred in Australia one-day domestic history. His brutal 131 included 17 fours and four sixes as Western Australia reached 6 for 340 and trounced Queensland by 81 runs at Perth. Celebrations of his thrilling return to form were tempered, however, by an injury to Shane Watson whose chances of starting in Brisbane are now in doubt.
Gilchrist and Justin Langer put on a thrilling 87 for the opening stand, in just 9 overs, with Langer registering WA's fastest one-day fifty, from 28 balls. Indeed, Gilchrist was overshadowed in the partnership until Mitchell Johnson bowled Langer around his legs, poking Gilchrist into life. He made up for lost time with a brutal, uncompromising display of strokeplay which - until his recent form-slump - had been his trademark.
After smashing Andrew Symonds for five fours in an over, Gilchrist was on 94 from 59 balls, needing two deliveries to beat Adam Voges' record against NSW in 2004. With Chris Simpson bowling, he took three sighters before launching the fourth over the bowler's head for six to bring up a remarkable 63-ball hundred.
Queensland were further dispirited when Watson limped off after bowling the first ball of his sixth over, to put doubt into his chances of playing the first Test next week.
After a dominant batting display, WA's bowlers rose to the challenge and never let Queensland get away. Brett Dorey and Steve Magoffin each took two wickets, reducing them to 4 for 80 in the 15th over, but Clinton Perren and Craig Philipson gave Queensland brief hope with a fine 125-run partnership in 20.4 overs. Philipson was particularly severe, reaching fifty from 45 balls and crashed seven fours and a six in his 73 before falling to the impressive Shawn Gillies who finished with 3 for 51. Queensland's resolve collapsed and, but for Johnson's brisk 23, WA romped home by 81 runs.