February 17, 2008	Sunday	Safar 09, 1429

PERTH, Feb 16: Australia’s Adam Gilchrist admitted he was relieved to have successfully completed an emotional WACA farewell after his match-winning century against Sri Lanka.

The 36-year-old, who will hang up the pads after the tri-series, gave his home fans one more innings to remember with a controlled 118 which lifted Australia to a crucial 63-run win.

Although the wicketkeeper-batsman made his decision to retire last month, Gilchrist said the enormity of the move only hit him during Friday’s match, where chants of ‘Gilly’ rang out around the stands.

“Today was where it really hit me, that it is all finishing,” he said. “Today was always going to be a big day, so I was more nervous than any day, leading into here. I am glad it is done ... there was a lot of emotion in there.”

Gilchrist added that he was determined to make a big score to thank local supporters, who booed him when he started his career with Western Australia but soon embraced the popular New South Welshman.

He admitted it had been a draining final period of his career after a contentious Test series with India and controversy swirling over the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL), which he will join in April.

“It’s a difficult schedule this one, not playing for four days and then playing back-to-back,” he stated.—AFP