Gilchrist sets new 'sixes' record

HOBART, Australia -- Adam Gilchrist became the first player to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket during an unbeaten 67 out of Australia's 542 for five declared in the second Test against Sri Lanka.

When play ended at the Bellerive Oval, with Sri Lanka at 30 without loss, Gilchrist appealed to the spectator who held onto the ball after his landmark blow, to return it to him as a memento of his unique achievement.

Gilchrist lofted three sixes in his dazzling innings, his 99th and 100th in Tests coming from successive strikes against Muttiah Muralitharan.

"There aren't many things that you do in life that you're the only person ever to have done it, so with that in mind it would be nice to have the ball that notched that hundred," Gilchrist said.

"It's not a milestone you ever set out to achieve but it's unique.

"It's a split second, just a moment in time when you are the only person in the whole world who knows that you've hit it right in the middle. It's just the best feeling as a batsman because you've probably taken a bit of a risk."

Sri Lanka's task was made even harder when paceman Farveez Maharoof was unable to take part because of an ankle injury.

"He's had a scan and he's got crush fracture in his ankle and it means he will definitely be out of the England series (starting later this month) for at least four to five weeks," said captain Mahela Jayawardene.

It was all too easy for the Australian batsmen and a day of toil for the depleted Sri Lankan attack.

Malinga's one wicket cost him 156 runs off 35 overs, Dilhara Fernando took two for 131 in 26 and Muralitharan one for 140 from 46.

Mike Hussey currently stands second only to Don Bradman (99.94) with a Test average of 84.63 from 20 innings. His 132 was the 32-year-old left-hander's seventh century in 28 Test innings. E-mail to a friend