Aussies hold nerve to win by 15 runs
Nuwan Kulaselkera a masterly knock of 73 in 43:
Elmo Rodrigopulle Reporting From Australia
In an exciting game of cricket that set a light the first of three
Commonwealth Bank Tri series, Sri Lanka fought the good fight to loseby
just 15 runs to Australia here at Gabba under lights, with 4 balls to
spare yesterday. Chasing 322 for victory the Lankans were disintegrating
at144 forsix, when Nuwan Kulasekera better known as a bowler walked in
to take the Aussie attack by the scruff of its neck and hit to all parts
ofthe Park and over it as well. He played the innings of his career
hitting 73 in 43 balls with 7fours and 3 towering sixes.
He just made mincemeat of the attack andtogether with Upul Tharanga
who made 60 in 67 balls put on 104 in 69balls to bring Sri Lanka within
sniffing distance of an unlikelyvictory. Once Kulasekera went, Tharanga
who came into the side after failingin the first three games and
Dhammika Prasad who also joined in the run act making 31 in 21 balls 2
fours and a six tried valiantly to give Sri Lanka victory that would
have been one to savour.
But the cricketing gods had decreed that the Aussies win and soit
ended with the hosts getting home by 15 runs to take a one-nil leadin
the three match series. The Sri Lankans can take heart by this wonderful
display andlosing by 15 runs were certainly not disgraced. When the
Kulasekera/ Tharanga ruin show was on, the Aussies lookedrattled and
seemed to have almost given up the game. But once
Kulasekera went the Aussies held their nerve to score a nail
bitingwin. A blistering 163 in 157 balls with 13 fours and 2 sixes by
hardhitting left hander David Warner took Australia to a huge 321 for 6
in50 overs. He was bowled of the last ball of the innings by Dhammika
Prasad It was a truly great innings and he batted in the manner in
goingto the highest score in the tournament beating Tillakaratne
Dilshan’s160 against India in Hobart. When in this mood Warner is a
murderer of any bowling attack. Coming into this game this game his form
was not what it should havebeen. Questions were being asked about his
continuing to play. But he made his critics red in the face with a knock
that wasexciting and breathtaking as he waded into the Lankan attack
hittingit with arrogance and great power. He excelled in the pull, the
cut, the hook for his 13 fours and two beefy hits that went over the
ropes for six. He received a standing ovation from the crowd for an
innings that will not be seen for who knows when.
With another left hander Matthew Wade who made 64 in featured in
an136 run stand for the first wicket and set the momentum for
ShaneWatson 21 from 25, Michael Clarke 37 from 25 and Michael Hussey 19
off14 to take Australia to a big score.
Wade who was also in a punishing mood was brilliantly held onehanded
by Rangana Herath at deep mid off. Had he not been dismissed, the
Lankans would have had to do more leather chasing. Right hander David
Hussey who nearly knocked the Sri Lankans outof the series with a clever
knock of 74 at the MCG failed for oncemaking just 1. Of the bowlers
Dhammika Prasad who bowled intelligently had 2 wickets. There was
overnight rain and early this morning, but the game banon time. However
there were two stoppages, but it did call for thereducing of overs.
Skipper Mahela Jayawardena missed the services of Angelo Matthewsand
Thissara Perera who was flown back.
Matthew s and Perera suffered injuries in that memorable game at the
MCG where Sri Lanka beat Australia to enter the best of three finals and
send India packing home. Opener Upul Tharanga was brought back, along
with Fareevz Maharoof who had recovered sufficiently. Off spinner
Sachithra Senayake was also left out.
Australia
DA Warner b Prasad 163
MS Wade c Herath b Kulasekara 64
SR Watson c Thirimanne b Maharoof 21
DT Christian c .Sangakkara b Prasad 10
DJ Hussey c & b Herath 01
MJ Clarke c Jayawardene b Malinga 37
MEK Hussey n.o. 19
Extras (lb 1, w 5) 6
Total (6 wickets; 50 overs) 321
Fall of wickets 1-136, 2-186, 3-223, 4-224 , 5-288, 6-321)
Bowling Malinga 8-0-74-1- (3w), KMDN Kulasekara 10-0- 60-1 (1w), MF Maharoof 9-0-64-1, TM Dilshan 9-0-35- 0,
KTGD Prasad 7-0-51- 2, HMRKB Herath7 - 0 - 36 -1 (1w)
Sri Lanka
DPMD Jayawardene c Wade b Lee 14
TM Dilshan b Lee 27
KC Sangakkara c Watson b Lee 42
LD Chandimal c Pattinson b DJ Hussey 14
HDRL Thirimanne c Wade b DJ Hussey 14
WU Tharanga c DJ Hussey b Watson 60
MF Maharoof c Christian b DJ Hussey 08
KMDN Kulasekara c Doherty b DJ Hussey 73
KTGD Prasad not out 31
HMRKB Herath c Doherty b Watson 05
SL Malinga c MEK Hussey b Watson 01
Extras (b 1, lb 3, w 11, nb 2) 17
Total (all out; 49.2 overs) 306
Fall of wickets 1-39, 2-52, 3-93, 4-115, 5-125, 6-144 , 7-248, 8-285, 9-301, 10-306
Bowling B Lee 9-1-59-3 (1nb, 4w), BW Hilfenhaus 4-0-46-0- (1w), JL Pattinson 5-0-49-0 (1nb, 1w), SR Watson 9.2-0-33-3,
XJ Doherty 10-0-39-0(2w), DJ Hussey 8-0-43-4 (1w), DT Christian 4-0-33-0 |
