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Perth, Feb 16: Australia's Adam Gilchrist registered his 16th ton in ODIs, against Sri Lanka here Friday, to extend his record for most ODI centuries by a wicketkeeper.
The left-hander's innings (118 off 132 balls) is his highest score at the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) ground. It was his second hundred at this venue, his first century having also come against Sri Lanka in the VB Triangular Series in 2005-06.
Gilchrist became the third batsman to record two hundreds at WACA, joining Australia's Dean Jones and South Africa's Jacques Kallis. Gilchrist has extended his record for most hundreds (6) in Australia-Sri Lanka ODIs. Ponting, with four centuries, is the next best.
Gilchrist's strike rate of 89.39 Friday was the slowest amongst his 16 centuries. His previous slowest innings of 100-plus was recorded at a strike rate of 96.15. It was his maiden ton against South Africa at Sydney in 1998. Of his 16 centuries, 13 were scored at a strike rate of 100 or more.
All of Gilchrist's 16 centuries have resulted in Australian victories. He and Ricky Ponting now share the record for most Man of the Match awards for Australia - 27.
Gilchrist and Michael Clarke put on 105 runs for the third wicket - a record for Australia against Sri Lanka. The stand is Australia's second best for the third wicket at WACA. Kepler Wessels and Kim Hughes had put on 119 against West Indies in February, 1984.
Australia have won all their eight games against Sri Lanka at WACA. They have won their last four encounters against Sri Lanka on home soil. Overall, Australia have defeated Sri Lanka in 31 games out of 38 played in Australia.
Sri Lanka's fast bowler Lasith Malinga produced his best bowling figures (4/47) against Australia, bettering his two for 49 at Bridgetown in April, 2007. Overall, Malinga's Friday's performance is his second best, next only to his four for 44 against England at Leeds in July, 2006.
Malinga's bowling figures are now the best by a Sri Lankan bowler at WACA, bettering Dilhara Fernando's four for 48 against England in 2002.
Kumar Sangakkara registered his 42nd fifty (80 off 114 balls). It was his eighth against Australia.