Sri Lanka openers Tharanga Paranavithana and Lahiru Thirimanne approached their job with confidence, happy in the knowledge that they were batting on the best track of the entire series. Thirimanne, in particular, played very straight and was of positive intent. Paranavithana made the early running, scoring 14 of the first 15 runs. He had a scare when struck on the pads by a Copeland delivery. The finest in the world, Aleem Darr, had his “not out” confirmed by the third umpire.
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| Opener Tharanga Paranavitana gave the Lankans a solid start |
Sangakkara gets one away for runs.
(Pic by Ranjith Perera) |
Fifty was reached in 101 minutes with a well stuck on drive for four by Thirimanne, shortly after Siddle through his defense with a pacy swinger that got through the gate. The opener, playing only second test, had batted with assurance. But the bowler was not to be deprived.
It maybe that the momentous occasion got to him initially. Sangakkara was a bit edgy, popping one over to silly point, almost, and then going walk about when the ball was still at short leg. But a slashed four off Johnson and, next ball, a tickled four to fine leg seemed to have settled things in his mind.
Paranavithana punched Copeland for four off the back-foot. Then he drove Johnson on the up and was superbly caught by Ponting close in.
Jayawardena was into his smooth-stroking style almost immediately. In one over he back cut Copeland for four, flashed outside off stump and missed and then drove handsomely for four. The ‘Lord and Master’ of the SSC was well and truly at work.
An exquisite drive through mid off to the fence saw Jayawardena enter the twenties. Next over Sangakkara found the mid-off boundary off Watson with a drive of matching beauty.
Sangakkara rushed to his 36th half century in tests with slashed and back cut boundaries off successive Johnson deliveries. He included nine fours in his 114 ball knock.
A Copeland maiden to Jayawardena must surely have brought some relief to the beleaguered Aussies. Jayawardena broke free in the next over when he pulled Lyon to the mid wicket fence authoritatively.
Thereafter, the experienced duo played for today, not taking any chances. Riches and glory await them today if they do well.
Earlier, Hussey continued to plunder runs when play got underway on day two. A couple of well timed cover drives followed by an imperious pull in the same Welagedara over moved him to 79. Not to be outdone, Haddin off drove Welagedara splendidly for four.
The Aussie pair had gained the ascendancy and it was a surprise when Haddin was taken behind off Eranga. He didn’t seem happy, but the referral sent him on his way. His 35 was by far his best effort with the bat on tour. His partnership with Hussey was worth 75 and it consumed 85 minutes.
Welagedara, the least impressive of the seamers, came back for another spell replacing the wicket-taker Eranga. He was promptly square cut for four and, next ball chopped through the gully area for another. Hussey had moved to 98 but his moment of glory was delayed by Herath, who kept him quiet for ten deliveries, and then by a double strike from Welagedera.
Johnson, another failure with the bat, checked a back foot four and spooned one to cover. Siddle opened the face to the next ball and guided it to first slip. Copeland survived the hat-trick.
Hussey’s fifteenth test hundred, and fourth against Sri Lanka, did not come in the grand manner. It came via a bottom-edged sweep. He had 11 fours and a six in his 157 ball, 218 minute innings. This century followed scores of 95 (Galle) and 142 (Pallekelle). Mr. Cricket had certainly justified the tag.
Lyon stuck around to put on 21 for the last wicket. In the meantime, Hussey farmed the bowling but did not forget to reverse sweep Herath twice and then clobber him for six over deep mid wicket.
SCOREBOARD
Australia – 1st Inning (235 for 5 contd.)
M. Hussey b Eranga 118
(Pushed forward, inside edge on to stumps)
B. Haddin c P. Jayawardena b Eranga 35
(Pushed forward, edged quicker full length ball)
M. Johnson c Herath b Welagedara 8
(Checked shot spooned to cover)
P. Siddle c Paranavithana b Welagedara 0
(Opened blade, edged to first slip)
T. Copeland c M. Jayawardena b Welagedara 1
(Flat-Footed steer nicked low down to 2nd Slip)
N. Lyon not out 3
Extras (leg byes 4, no balls 3, wides 1) 8
Total (all out in 104.3 overs) 316
Fall of wickets: 0, 22, 101, 120, 190, 265, 293, 293, 295, 316.
Bowling: C. Welagedara 21-6-75-3, S. Lakmal 21-3-60-2, S. Eranga 23.3-6-65-4, R. Herath 27-5-78-1, T.M. Dilshan 12-0-34-0
Sri Lanka first innings
T. Paranavithana c Ponting b Johnson 46
(Drove on the up, brilliantly held at short cover)
L. Thirimanne b Siddle 28
(Pushed forward, ball nipped back via the ‘gate’)
K. Sangakkara not out 61
M. Jayawardena not out 31
Extras: 0
Total (for 2 wickets in 65 overs) 166
Fall of Wickets: 56, 97
Bowling: T. Copeland 15-5-34-0; P. Siddle 11-3-25-1; M. Johnson 11-0-49-1; S. Watson 11-5-21-0; N. Lyon 15-2-33-0; M. Hussey 2-1-5-0. |
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