Jayawardene defends Gilly's World Cup final innings

Dubai, June 3 (UNI) Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene has defended Australia vice-captain Adam Gilchrist's 'controversial' match-winning innings in the Caribbean World Cup final and termed it as a 'great knock' based on 'sheer talent'.

''It was an innings based on sheer talent. I don't believe that he played such a brilliant innings due to the help from any technology.

''Until it is scientifically proven that he did gain an advantage, I would rate his innings as a great knock,'' Jayawardene told 'Gulf News'.

The 35-year-old Aussie wicket-keeper had used a squash ball inside his batting glove en route to his scintillating knock of 149 off just 104 balls which featured 13 smashing boundaries.

It also paved Australia's way towards their third successive World Cup victory.