|
|
|
| December 17, 2006 | Sunday | Ziqa'ad 25, 1427 |
Miscommunication fuels Gilchrist
PERTH, Dec 16: Adam Gilchrist scored the second-fastest century in test history and promoted an Australian declaration on the third day of the third Ashes cricket test against England because of a communications breakdown, he said Saturday.
Gilchrist smashed a half century from 40 balls and a century from 57 to foster Australia's declaration at 527 for five, 566 runs ahead of England with two days remaining.
By stumps England were 19 for one in their second innings, trailing 2-0 in the five-match series and facing match and series defeat.
Gilchrist shared an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 162 with Michael Clarke who was 135 not out when Australian captain Ricky Ponting declared half an hour before stumps Saturday. The declaration was also subsidized by Michael Hussey who made 103, his first Ashes century on his home ground, Matthew Hayden who made 92 and Ponting who made 75.
Clarke and Gilchrist's assault on the England bowlers, which brought the wicketkeeper a century inside the final session, occurred partly because the batsmen misinterpreted instructions from the Australia dressing room.
The pair sought an indication as their partnership began to flourish whether Ponting wanted to chase runs and declare before stumps. When the answer came, they misinterpreted the reply.
“We threw the question back to the rooms. Did we want to have a look at them tonight if we could press on? and we read it as a yes and apparently it was a no,'' Gilchrist told a news conference.
“At boot camp, communication skills was one of the topics but it all worked out well.''
Gilchrist came within a ball of breaking the West Indian great Viv Richards' record of 56 balls for the fastest test century. He was 97 after 54 deliveries but missed a wide 55th ball from Matthew Hoggard, took a single from the 56th and reached the mark with two from the 57th.
“I have never known what the fastest test century is, though I would have thought Viv Richards would have been in the mix somewhere,'' he said.
“Those kind of records are more associated with one-day cricket, I would have thought. Still, had I known I needed a four, it's a shame I didn't tickle that wide one from Hoggard.
“I think Viv deserves that mantle for the fastest hundred.''
Clarke, the silent partner in Gilchrist's enterprise, enjoyed the view as he blasted his way into history and England towards Ashes defeat.
“It was great to watch,'' Clarke said.—AP
Ten fastest centuries in Test cricket history
56 balls IVA Richards West Indies v England at St John's 1986
57 balls AC Gilchrist Australia v England at Perth 2006
67 balls JM Gregory Australia v South Africa at Johannesburg 1921
69 balls S Chanderpaul West Indies v Australia at Georgetown 2003
71 balls RC Fredericks West Indies v Australia at Perth 1975
74 balls Majid Khan Pakistan v New Zealand at Karachi 1976
74 balls Kapil Dev India v Sri Lanka at Kanpur 1986
74 balls M Azharuddin India v South Africa at Kolkata 1996
76 balls GL Jessop England v Australia at The Oval 1902
77 balls BC Lara West Indies v Pakistan at Multan 2006
|
|
|
|
