Gilchrist Reaches 100 Test Sixes

Adam Gilchrist became the first batsman to score 100 sixes in Test cricket as Australia's batsmen reached 500 for the second successive Test against Sri Lanka. Phil Jaques and Mike Hussey both scored centuries, while Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds passed 50, but they were all overshadowed by Gilchrist's record-breaking feat on the second day in Hobart.

The wicketkeeper scored three sixes on his way to an unbeaten 67, claiming his 100th Test six when he smashed a ball from Muttiah Muralitharan out of the Bellerive Oval over midwicket.

"It's a not a milestone you set out to achieve, but it's unique," said Gilchrist. "There aren't many things that you do in life that you're the only person ever to have done. With that in mind it would be nice to have the ball that notched that 100."

Jacques and Hussey compiled the most important partnership of the innings, putting on 152 before Jaques was caught off Sanath Jayasuriya for 150. Hussey was eventually trapped lbw by Dilhara Fernando for 132, leaving Symonds and Gilchrist to add 95 runs.

Ponting declared with Australia on 542 for five and Sri Lanka replied with 30 for no loss in 12 overs before bad light stopped play.

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene acknowledged that his team had to knuckle down and bat well for two days to rescue the series. "For us it's about winning the Test somehow and leveling the series," Jayawardene said. "We have to try and bat through the day [Sunday] and see where we're at."