Top 5 Ashes batting performances of the last decade

Adam Gilchrist – 102*, Perth 2006

Few innings measure up to the destructiveness of this Gilly century. The second fastest test century at that time, Gilchrist’s 59 ball escapade didn’t just hit the nail in the coffin of England’s Ashes sojourn, but further proceeded to bury that coffin deep, ensuring they can’t get back up.

Gilly spanked Panesar out of the park, slashed Sajid Mahmood to all parts of the ground, treated Hoggard, Flintoff & Harmison with equal disdain. It indeed was a picture perfect piece of a massacre. England went on to lose the match and go down 3-0 in the series, hence ceding their ownership of the Ashes.

But this Gilchrist Innings had done worse. It had mentally disintegrated the English, ensuring there was no comeback, as was evident in their meek surrender in the remaining two matches – guaranteeing a 5-0 whitewash. A once-in-a-generation innings from a once-in-a-lifetime player.