First Test at Rawalpindi

Aussies in the driving seat

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Saturday (Reuters) - Australia took command of the first test yesterday, amassing 513 all out in reply to Pakistan's 269 for a first innings lead of 244.

The towering target was significantly built by Steve Waugh's best-ever score against Pakistan of 157 as he shared a fifth-wicket partnership of 126 with Darren Lehmann.

Waugh, who had resumed at 104, was out shortly after lunch. Lehmann displayed fine temperament to make 98 and missed his maiden test hundred in only his second Test innings. His first Test was against India in 1997-98 when he made 52 at Bangalore.

Lehmann batted most of the day before being bowled by left-arm spinner Mohammad Hussain when he resumed after tea on 97. He was out sweeping and missed the line.

He batted for 279 minutes, facing 181 balls, and hit 11 fours, sharing 91 precious runs with Ian Healy.

Resuming on 237 for four, Australia's batsmen rallied the innings to a position of safety after Friday's early collapse when they were 28-3.

Five wickets fell after tea including Damien Fleming who was yorked by Wasim Akram for eight. Colin Miller was caught and bowled by spinner Mushtaq Ahmed for three. Stuart MacGill and Healy later on put on 41 useful runs for the ninth wicket as the lead mounted.

Scoreboard

Pakistan first innings 269 (Saeed Anwar 145, Stuart MaGill 5 for 66)

Australia first innings (overnight 237 for 4)

M.Slater c M.Wasim b M. Hussain 108

M.Taylor c Moin Khan b Wasim Akram 3

J.Langer lbw b Wasim Akram 0

M.Waugh lbw b Mushtaq Ahmed 0

S.Waugh c M.Wasim b Aamir Sohail 157

D.Lehmann b M.Hussain 98

I.HHealy c M.Wasim b Saqlain Mushtaq 82

D.Fleming b Wasim Akram 8

C.Miller c and b Mushtaq Ahmed 3

S. MacGill b Saqlain Mushtaq 21

G. McGrath not out 3

Extras: (lb-19 nb11) 30

Total: 513

Fall of wickets: 1-11 2-11 3-28 4-226 5-352 6-443 7-459, 8-464 9-504

Bowling: Wasim Akram 35-4-111-3 (nb9), Azhar Mahmood 13-1-36-0 Mushtaq Ahmed 41-7-115-2, Saqlain Mushtaq, 41.5-9-112-2 (nb1), Mohammad Hussain 20-3-66-2-, Aamir Sohail 23-3-54-1 (nb1),

Sangakkara, Hewage rocket NCC

By Marlon Fernandopulle

A whirlwind double century from Kumar Sangakkara and a cracking century from Pradeep Hewage helped NCC to a massive 402 for 3 dec. against Kurunegala YCC in an Under 23 game at Maitland Place yesterday.

Sangakkara and Hewage figured in an unbroken 194 runs for the fourth wicket in only 113 minutes as the visitors were sent on a leather hunt.

Sangakkara struck 17 boundaries in his 220 ball knock while Hewage raced to his century in only 99 balls with the help of five boundaries.

Kurunegala in reply were struggling at 20 for 3 wickets when stumps were drawn.

Spinners Nallaiha Rajan and Arshad Junaid claimed two wickets each as Galle CC slumped from 190 for 4 to 233 for 9 against CCC at Maitland Cresent.

Batting first the Galle CC's top order batsmen Banuka Ratnayake (49), Ruchira Karunasena (30),Chanaka Vithanage (28) and Hasitha Dhrshana(32) provided a solid start but a miiddle order collapse saw the visitors finish at 233 for 9 .

Moors SC's medium pacer Tharanga Pushpakumara grabbed five wickets as Antonians SC crashed to 184 all out at Braybrooke Place yesterday.In reply the home team made a sound 90/2 when stumps were drawn.

Big yawn at Mt. Lavinia

By Saif Izzadeen

It was big yawn at Mt. Lavinia yesterday as the inter- school cricket match between S.Thomas' Mt. Lavinia and Richmond College Galle petered out to a tame draw.

Richmond, Galle who began the innings with their overnight score of 8 for no loss batted the entire day to make 210 all out in 110 overs. This was in reply to S. Thomas' first innings score of 246 for 8 dec.

For Richmond Dilan Bahar (33), Oshad Sumathipala(34), Chamil Perera (24) and Manoj Chaturanga (16) made useful contributions.

For S. Thomas' right arm fast bowler Lakmal Fernando and spinner Upeka Fernando took two wickets each. Right arm fast bowlers Naran Ratwatte, Gihan Fernando, left arm leg spinner Suranga Pieris and off spinner Harshana Jayawardena took one wicket each.

Upeka Fernando in a surprise spell took two wickets for no runs and could be a terror in the coming matches.

S.Thomas' 246 for 8 dec.

Richmond - (8 for no loss overnight) 210 all out in 110 overs (Dilan Bahar 33, Oshad Sumathipala 34, Chamil Perera 24, Manoj Chaturanga 16; Lakmal Fernando 2 for 56, Upeka Fernando 2-2-0-2). )

Wesley's request

Wesley College, founded in 1874. will be celebrating its 125th anniversary on March 2 next year.

In this connection, a special anniversary souvenir, is being compiled.

However, the scorecards relating to Wesley's inaugural cricket matches with the following schools are not available:

Trinity 1895, Prince of Wales 1895, St. Benedict's 1895 and Ananda 1910.

Anyone who has any of the above inaugural scorecards, are kindly requested to communicate with the Editor (Souvenir) Wesley college, Colombo 9.

Top Athletes

Over 1300 athletes will participate in the inaugural Lanka Lions Sports Club meet to be held at the Sugathadasa Stadium commencing at 8 am each day on October 10 and 11.

Among the noted athletes scheduled to take part are sprinters Chintika de Soysa, Sriyantha Dissanayake, Saman Deepika and Steeple Chaser Chaminda Mendis among a host of others.

Mackinnons champions

By Bernie Wijesekera

Defending champions Mackinnons Travels retained the Ken Balendran Trophy defeating Walker Tours 35-nil in the final of the annual John Keells Group Inter-Company annual rugby 'sevens' tournament at Longden Place yesterday. Citadel Kandy ran riot against Keells Food when they outplayed them 36-0 to win the Plate final.

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