Copeland stakes Test claim

Australian fast bowler Trent Copeland boosted his hopes of making his Test debut in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka with a five-wicket haul in a practice match on Thursday.

Copeland, 25, finished with 5-47 off 20 overs as the tourists bowled out a Sri Lanka Board XI for 258 in the first innings on the opening day of the three-day game in Colombo.

The hosts made an impressive start after electing to bat as Tharanga Paranavitana (49) and Lahiru Thirimanne (32) put on 82 runs for the opening wicket before Copeland struck twice. The hosts were comfortably placed at 170-2 following a 72-run stand for the third wicket between Dinesh Chandimal (59) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (21) but lost four wickets in the space of 12 runs, with Copeland taking three.

Sri Lanka Board XI 1st innings 258 (D. Chandimal 59, T. Paranavitana 49, T. Perera 36, L. Thirimanne 32, B. Rajapaksa 21; T. Copeland 5-47, R. Harris 2-39, M. Beer 2-42, N. Lyon 1-71)

Australia 1st innings 26-0