Gilchrist ton crushes England in series decider

LONDON – Australia, with the irrepressible Adam Gilchrist back at centre stage, completed a timely Ashes warning by routing England by eight wickets to win their one-day series 2-1 on Tuesday.

With the first test just over a week away, the world champions produced a clinical performance, first to restrict England to 228 for seven, then to win with 15.1 overs to spare. Gilchrist, owing his team mates more than a hard-hit cameo, blitzed 121 not out, his highest score of the English summer.He scored his runs off 101 balls, hitting two sixes and 17 fours.Jason Gillespie, though, was as much a cherry on top of the Australian cake.Woefully off colour and struggling for form, the fast bowler bounced back with three for 44, including the wicket of Kevin Pietersen.Pietersen, the one England highlight and hoping to be selected for the first test at Lord’s starting next Thursday, made 74 off 84 balls, including two sixes, before going off the field during Australia’s reply with a groin strain.- Nampa-ReutersGilchrist, owing his team mates more than a hard-hit cameo, blitzed 121 not out, his highest score of the English summer.He scored his runs off 101 balls, hitting two sixes and 17 fours.Jason Gillespie, though, was as much a cherry on top of the Australian cake.Woefully off colour and struggling for form, the fast bowler bounced back with three for 44, including the wicket of Kevin Pietersen.Pietersen, the one England highlight and hoping to be selected for the first test at Lord’s starting next Thursday, made 74 off 84 balls, including two sixes, before going off the field during Australia’s reply with a groin strain.- Nampa-Reuters