JASON Gillespie completed an epic maiden Test century in the second Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong today, moving to three figures just before rain washed out the entire final session.
Gillespie, 30, has been in sparkling form since being recalled to the national side a fortnight ago for the two-Test series against the whipping boys of world cricket.
The South Australian is averaging more than 130 with the bat and less than 10 with the ball this series.
Gillespie (102 not out) and Mike Hussey (93 not out) were unbeaten as Australia moved into a powerful position at 3-364, a lead of 167 runs, at tea on day three at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium.
Rain showers during the interval washed out the final session of the day.
He punched spinner Abdur Razzak through cover for four to bring up his first ton in his 71st Test outing.
In doing so, he became the first Australian nightwatchman to score a Test century since Tony Mann struck 105 against India at the WACA Ground in 1977.
The renowned dawdler with the bat took six and a half hours to post three figures, and he seemed too tired for a theatrical celebration such as when he rode his bat down the wicket after scoring his first Test fifty.
He simply punched the air and produced a beaming smile for his teammates in the dressing room.
Gillespie hit 17 fours in his 296-ball hundred, and his teammates had watched nervously as he spent about half an hour in the 90s.
Gillespie's previous best test score was his 54 not out against New Zealand in 2004-2005.
Hussey meanwhile feasted on the Bangladesh attack, scoring at will as he put on 154 with Gillespie for the fourth wicket.
The innings continued the West Australian's brilliant start to his Test career after making his debut just five months ago.
The classy left hander started reverse sweeping later in his innings, he and Gillespie grinding the home side into the dust as lightning flashed around the ground before tea.
Gillespie's innings enhanced the prospects of Australia playing five bowlers during the Ashes series, with the likes of himself and Brett Lee capable of contributing with the bat down the order.
At the very least, his innings reminded selectors of the popular player's value to a side after having been dropped during the Ashes series in England last year.
He enjoyed a life on 44 when Bangladesh wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud dropped him off the bowling of left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafiques.
After resuming at 2-151, Australia captain Ricky Ponting (52) and Gillespie steered the visitor beyond Bangladesh's first innings of 197 before the skipper was run out.
Ponting took off on a short single after Gillespie pushed a Mohammad Rafique ball behind point.
The regular tailender sent Ponting back, but Abdur Razzak swept in from point and his direct hit found the captain well short of his crease.
