Gilchrist fifty steers Australia

Adam Gilchrist's seventieth score of fifty or more in his last WACA outing puts Australia in command.

Ponting was removed in identical fashion as he did at Brisbane by Chaminda Vaas as he fiddled one outside the off-stump and tried to steer past third-man, only to find the waiting Mahela Jayawardene at first slip. Ponting's innings coming to a premature end for 25 with Australia at 66/2.

Skipper Ponting, then joined Gilchrist in the middle with the former yet to register a double-digit score in the series. He however, got past the double digit mark this time around, getting off to a start. His strokeplay seemed like vintage Ponting in full slow. But all this just flattered to deceive.

Gilchrist got off to a quiet start, with his first boundary coming off the 4th over. However, he lost his partner Matthew Hayden early - caught by Maharoof off Malinga, trying to fetch it from outside the off-stump and trying to launch it over mid-wicket. He could not get over the shot and it looped up to Farveez Maharoof. Hayden went early for 7, Australia at 16/1.

Earlier in the day, Australia won the toss and opted to bat first on a wicket that was largely good for batting. The game had a haze of emotions attached to it as their hometown hero, Adam Gilchrist was to play his last game at the WACA.

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