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PERTH - A fairytale, farewell century from Adam Gilchrist and a vital cameo from Brad Hogg has seen Australia mark their wicketkeeper's last game in Perth with a vital 63-run win to send them to the top of the tri-series table.
A sensible and at-times sparkling 118 from
the 36-year-old Gilchrist was the perfect goodbye to more than 17,000 Perth fans, who booed him on debut for Western Australia 14 years ago, but afforded his curtain call the kind of reception reserved for the very special few.
And while his batting colleagues failed to back Gilchrist up, resulting in a below-par total of 236, Hogg's two wickets in two balls and excellent spells from Nathan Bracken (3-21) and Mitchell Johnson (3-29) rendered Kumar Sangakkara's 80 meaningless.
Gilchrist posted his 16th one-day ton, and the first since the World Cup final against Sri Lanka last year.
Two early boundaries off Lasith Malinga set the tone, and he continued untroubled with a six off Nuwan Kulasekara bringing up a fifty in 57 deliveries.
With a century partnership alongside Michael Clarke, an Australian total of a 300-plus looked likely - until two blows sent the innings into decline.
First Clarke (43) was struck a nasty blow to the ribs by Malinga, and four runs later he was equally inconvenienced by Muralitharan's doosra to leave Australia 171 for three.
With Gilchrist dealing in singles to ensure his milestone, Andrew Symonds' ugly swipe gave Mike Hussey the opportunity to celebrate Gilchrist's century with him in the middle.
But when Gilchrist found Kapugedera in the deep, James Hopes holed out and Hussey failed to see Australia through, the last eight Australian wickets fell for 65 runs and Malinga finished with an impressive 4-47.
With Clarke's bruised ribs preventing him from fielding, Brett Lee's ego was also black and blue after an opening over that conceded 16 runs.
Swiftly replaced by Johnson, he and Bracken removed the openers, with Johnson also snaring Mahela Jayawardene for 21 after he had been dropped by Ponting on five.
Chamara Silva fell to a brilliant low catch one-handed by Andrew Symonds and the Sri Lankan reply was teetering at 76 for four.
After compiling a fifty containing just three boundaries, Sangakkara only needed someone to stay with him.
And it appeared Farveez Maharoof might be the man, until Hogg tempted him into a slog sweep to Hopes in the deep.
Next ball, Chaminda Vaas' inexplicable slog bobbed up into a jubilant Gilchrist's gloves, and the rest followed meekly to hand Australia an unlikely bonus point.
Gilchrist said after his man of the match performance that the build-up to the game had been the most wearing since announcing his retirement during the Adelaide Test.
"It turned out to be the perfect day," Gilchrist said.
"I must admit today was where it really hit me that it is all finishing - today was always going to be a big day.
"I am glad it is done and thrilled with the way it has gone."
Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene sensed he had to get Gilchrist early or he may prove the difference.
"That was the wicket we wanted early but we could not get it," Jayawardene said.
"He is not taking many risks up front and he is being very patient. He did the same in Sydney as well and the way he batted today was brilliant."
- AAP
