Butterfingered Lankans looking down the barrel
View(s):HOBART, Australia, Dec 15, 2012 (AFP) – Four Sri Lankan wickets rewarded a Mike Hussey-induced declaration to have Australia in a
Tillakaratne Dilshan pulls a delivery from Mitchell Starc on the second day of the first cricket Test match in Hobart. - AFP
powerful position after the second day of the first Hobart Test on Saturday.
Veteran Hussey’s fifth century in six Tests against Sri Lanka enabled skipper Michael Clarke to call a halt to Australia’s first innings at 450 for five off 131 overs, some 30 minutes before tea on a rain-interrupted day.
Clarke’s call was backed by his bowlers who captured the wickets of Dimuth Karunaratne and the prized scalps of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera in the final session.
At the close, Sri Lanka were 87 for four with Tillakaratne Dilshan not out 50 with Samaraweera out in day’s final over.
Dilshan reached his 50 off 82 balls when he hooked Shane Watson for four in the penultimate over of the day.
Evergreen Hussey continued to flourish this southern summer with an unbeaten 115 for his 19th Test century and third in the last month to share in a 146-run stand with wicketkeeper Matthew Wade (68).
In his six Tests against Sri Lanka, Hussey has scored five centuries at 109.62.
Hussey, batting better than ever at the age of 37, audaciously raised his hundred with a pull off Shaminda Eranga.
Angelo Mathews looked set to take the catch on the mid-wicket boundary ropes but fumbled the chance, allowing the ball to bounce over for four to bring up Hussey’s 100.
Hussey’s knock came off 184 balls with eight fours and a six.
Thilan Samaraweera walks off after being dismissed as Ed Cowan celebrates on the second day of the first cricket Test match against Australia in Hobart - AFP
Wade, who had a life on 20 when he was dropped by fielding substitute Suraj Randiv at mid-wicket off Chanaka Welegedara nearing lunch, raised his second Test half-century.
Clarke was the only Australian wicket to fall out in the day’s third over when he edged Eranga to Sangakkara low down at first slip.
The Australian skipper’s 74 off 145 balls took his tally to 1,432 runs this calendar year at 102.28 with a possibility of three more Test innings to come before year’s end.
Clarke had been on track for his fifth century of 2012, three of them double-centuries, along with his Test highest score of 329 not out against India in Sydney last January.
Sri Lanka began boldly but rookie opener Karunaratne was out for 14 in the 10th over when he nibbled at Ben Hilfenhaus and was snapped up by Wade.
The Australians struck two killer blows late in the day with the key wickets of Sangakkara and Jayawardene.
Sangakkara, who scored 192 in his previous Test innings at Hobart five years ago, went cheaply for four when he sliced Peter Siddle to Hussey’s safe hands in the gully to leave the Sri Lankans at 42 for two.
It got worse for the tourists when Watson trapped Jayawardene leg before wicket for 12 in the 23rd over.
Jayawardene, who is relinquishing the team captaincy after the Australian tour, referred the decision to the TV umpire, who upheld the umpire’s verdict.
Samaraweera was out in the final over when he was surprised by spinner Nathan Lyon’s extra bounce and was caught behind for seven.
The signs were not looking good for Sri Lanka, who were chasing their first Test win in Australia at 11 attempts.
Play was extended after a total of 130 minutes were lost to rain in two delays during the day.
| ScoreboardAustralia 1st Innings (299 for 4 overnight)
D. Warner run out (Mathews) 57 Sri Lanka 1st innings D. Karunaratne c Wade b Hilfenhaus 14 |
Follow @timesonlinelk
Related Posts:
Hedging fiasco: CPC to file fresh appeal in British CourtThe Ceylon Petroleum Corporation which lost its appeal case in Britain in its dispute with the Standard Chartered Bank over ...
Agent 007 fan ?With Skyfall in theatres, James Bond is back in the news. Over the course of 23 films, 007’s adventures have ...
ADB to help underserved Sri Lankans access housing loansMANILA - Sri Lankans living in post-conflict and tsunami-hit areas will soon have better access to badly needed housing loans, ...
Mystery over Lanka’s Olympic tickets worth millionsSri Lanka bought tickets for the ongoing Olympic Games in London to the tune of Rs. 7 million, but who ...
More Sri Lankans to await new experiences in SingaporeG.B. Srithar (left) and other officials at the briefing.