Tharanga and Sanga lead Lanka’s fight-back

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from Pallekele

The Sri Lanka top order batsmen put their heads down and batted with purpose to end the day on a respectable 223 for 2 when bad light stopped play with 19 more overs to be bowled on the fourth day of the Second Test against Australia at the Pallekele International Stadium here, today.

Sri Lanka lost the wickets of Tillekeratne Dilshan and Tharanga Paranavitana for 128 at which stage Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena 69 and 38 unbeaten respectively got together to see Sri Lanka through without further loss putting on 95 for the third wicket. Sri Lanka is still 14 runs in arrears.

With the new ball due after another over in the morning, these two batsmen will have to continue their good work, because there is a lot more cricket left in this game. If they were to be dismissed early, it could mean another defeat which would be a calamity.

No terrors

On a wicket that held no terrors and which was a batting paradise, Dilshan, Parnavitana, Sangakkara and Jayawardena applied themselves with disciplined batting and that they took the game to the final day was creditable.

When Australia terminated their innings, there was no way that the Lankans could force a win. Survival was the name of the game for them, and that they did just that was admirable.

Jayawardena joined Sangakkara at the fall of Paranavitana’s wicket at 128 and with Sri Lanka still not out of the woods. Aware of the responsibility facing them being the two most experienced batsmen, the pair settled down to playing with caution, yet being aggressive when the opportunities of moving the scoreboard came along.

Aussies dominate

To recap - With Australia dominating the Third day with centuries from debutant Shaun Marsh and Michael Hussey who were involved in a big 4th wicket partnership of 258, and a lead of 237 when bad light forced the abandonment of play for the day, the question was: will Clarke decide to continue batting or would he declare at the overnight score of 411 for 7?

Declare he did which was the most sensible thing, considering that the day’s play ends early because of the bad light setting in, in the evenings. Clarke was looking for a win here and the series 2-0 and not wanting to wait for the final Test at the SSC.

There was a bit of rain in the morning, but when the umpires called ‘play’ there was bright sunshine with blue skies and if it continues to stay that way an interesting day’s cricket would be in store.

Positive start

Sri Lankan openers Tharanga Parnavitana and Tillekeratne Dilshan started positively. They did not let the Australian bowlers to settle down to line and length and played the bowling on its merit. They put on 81 when after 25.4 overs there was a stoppage for rain. Apparently the short break seemed to have upset Dilshan’s concentration, because when play resumed he played a loose shot. Instead of getting to the pitch of the ball he tried to drive Ryan Harris and sliced it to Shane Watson in the slips for 36 with 4 fours.

For a captain it was a poor example and an irresponsible shot considering that it was only a few minutes before lunch. 81-1-36. Lunch was taken at 83 for one with Paranavitana on 33 and Kumar Sangakkara yet to score. After lunch Sangakkara and Paranavitana continued to bat with caution. They were content on staying at the wicket and depriving the Australians of wickets which was the correct approach.

Well timed drives

Paranavitana played some well timed drives and scored when the bad balls came along. Sangakkara was a study in concentration.

He pushed for singles and when the bowlers pitched short he was quick to pull for fours. Paranavitana who has not been having a good run in the series, completed a fifty with 6 fours in 170 minutes off 131 deliveries. Had he failed this time too, his chances of playing in the final Test would have been a toss-up.

With the regular bowlers not obliging, Clarke again brought on part timer Michael Hussey who obliged again having Paranavitana caught behind by Brad Haddin after adding five more runs to his score. Paranavitana and Sangakkara added 47 for the second wicket.128-2-55.

Sri Lanka 
1st innings: 174 
Australia 
1st innings: 411-7 
SRI LANKA 
2ND INNINGS

T. Paranavitana c Haddin b Hussey	 55
T. Dilshan c Watson b Harris   		 36
K. Sangakkara not out    		 69
M. Jayawardene	 not out		 38

EXTRAS: (B-6, LB-19)			 25
TOTAL(for two wickets,	79 overs)	223
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-81 (Dilshan), 2-128 (Paranavitana).
BOWLING: Harris 12-4-43-1, Copeland 16-8-22-0, Johnson 15-2-29-0, Watson 14-6-34-0, Lyon 15-1-52-0, Hussey 4-2-2-1, Clarke 3-0-16-0