Gilchrist

PERTH, Australia (AP):

Retiring wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist scored a century in his final appearance at his home WACA Ground yesterday as Australia beat Sri Lanka by 63 runs in a limited-overs tri-series match.

Australia were all out for 236 in its innings, then Brad Hogg took two wickets in two balls to prompt Sri Lanka's late-order collapse as the tourists were bowled out for 163 in the 46th over.

Nathan Bracken and Mitchell Johnson added three wickets each for Australia while Kumar Sangakkara, bowled by Brett Lee on the final ball of the match, top-scored for Sri Lanka with 80.

After captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and decided to bat, opener Gilchrist came out to a standing ovation from a capacity crowd. He scored quickly at first, then the run rate slowed as Sri Lanka's bowlers tightened up.

Gilchrist, 36, who will retire from international cricket at the end of the tri-series tournament in early March, scored 14 straight singles to reach his 100, at one point picking up only seven runs in five overs. He was out for 118 trying to loft a ball over long-off, caught by Chamara Kapugedera off Lasith Malinga's bowling after Kapugedera had dropped Gilchrist in the previous over. His 117-ball innings included nine fours and two sixes.

Gilchrist, who made his Test debut in 1999, left to another standing ovation, with the large scoreboard saying "Thanks Gilly" on the backdrop of an Australian flag. Many in the crowd bowed down to him as he left the ground, and Gilchrist's wife, Mel, wiped tears from her eyes in the player area.

"It's been great to have my friends, family and this great WACA crowd," Gilchrist said after being named Man of the Match for his 16th one-day century.

When Gilchrist made his debut for Western Australia state 14 years ago, he was booed by the WACA crowd after arriving from New South Wales to displace popular wicketkeeper Tim Zoehrer.

Malinga took 4-47 to lead Sri Lanka as Australia was bowled out in the final over.

Australia play India in Adelaide tomorrow.