Aussie PM hosts teams to tea

Elmo Rodrigopulle – Reporting from Australia

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and partner Tim Mathieson entertained the Sri Lankan and Australian cricketers to the annual afternoon tea party at Kirribilli House on Tuesday. Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner Thisara Samarasinghe, some of Australia’s politicians and some of the finest Australian cricketers were present.

Speaking the Prime Minister referred to as a day for having a drink and having a good time, our way of saying to the team ‘happy new year’.

The cricketers and politicians seemed happy swapping New Year stories and discussing cricket. Speaking further the Prime Minister said that cricket is important to Australian life. Its one of the ways that we mark the passing of each year’.

Captain of Australia Michael Clarke thanked the Sri Lankan cricket team for ‘a fantastic series that has been played in the right way. He said they have seen so many good days and the occasional bad days, with many making their debuts and a couple of retirements and that he thinks it was 12 exciting months and was also excited about what is in store in 2013.

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene speaking expressed his team’s wishes for the retireing Michael Hussey. He said he thought they would have it a bit easy having lost the series and then Hussey had to go and announce his retirement.

‘So I know it’s going to be tough for us now because the Australians will be doing their best to make sure it’s a great farewell for a special player’ he said. Sydney,Wednesday.