Gilchrist fifty steers Australia

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.