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Gillespie Strikes Sri Lanka

Thursday, February 26 2004

Jason Gillespie returned to his devastating best at the sight of a bouncy pitch in Colombo, causing destruction within the Sri Lankan top order that eventually became the decisive factor in the match.

Upon winning the toss captain Marvan Atapattu had no hesitation in electing to bat, with Nuwan Zoysa returning to the international fold at the expense of Romesh Kaluwitharana.

Australia chose to leave out Brett Lee in favour of Michael Kasprowicz following the blonde speedsters case of the jitters in game 2.

The Australian side snared an immediate breakthrough in the first over when Gillespie found the edge of Sanath Jayasuriya's bat with the ball flying at good pace to Michael Clarke at gully for a smart catch.

The opening bowling spell of Gillespie and Kasprowicz proved a decisive factor early in the Sri Lankans innings, with Gillespie offering penetration and Kasprowicz preventing runs from one end, bowling his first 7 overs for 13.

Sri Lanka fell to 3/34 following the dismissal of Atapattu, a poor shot playing on to his stumps. Kumar Sangakkara's promotion to number 3 exposed his weakness, pushing at a ball to land in Matthew Hayden's hands at gully.

Russel Arnold's 4 from just 26 deliveries displayed man sadly short of his best form. His attempted slog-sweet from Brad Hogg that led to his dismissal reeked of a man in need of runs and a way out of a prolonged slump. His innings was as ugly as the scorecard suggests.

A much-needed partnership between Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene set about the rescuer missed from 4/58, with Dilshan looking sharp and Jayawardene typically calm.

Making 30 from 40 balls, Dilshan became the victim of Andrew Symonds' off-breaks, with his faster ball earning a fine edge for Adam Gilchrist to complete the job.

All-rounder Upul Chandana showed character despite his stomach upset, adding 58 with Jayawardene. A neat piece of Brad Hogg fielding ensured that Jayawardene was caught short of his ground following some smart Gilchrist glove work.

Attempting the second run, Jayawardene was run out for 80. His innings offered fighting qualities and substance that will be needed further into the tour.

Some late hitting from Chaminda Vaas and Kumara Dharmasena ensured that Sri Lanka reached a respectable 226 form their 50 overs.
The moderate total became more testing for the Australians early on as Vaas continued his form from the second match, dismissing openers Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist with typically smooth deliveries to leave the Australians at 2/4.

A third wicket stand of 129 between Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn ensured Australia remained in the match before Ponting played on to Vaas for 63. The captain looked set to bat the Australians home before he inside edged a slower ball.

Despite making 62, Damien Martyn struggled against the Sri Lankans spin battery before his run-out from a smart piece of work from Sanath Jayasuriya. Michael Bevan's run-out 6 overs later ensured the Sri Lankans had a fighting chance should they snare another wicket.

Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke comfortably steered the Australians home, however, with an unbeaten 68 run stand. Symonds' strong vein of form continued with an unbeaten 45 that places his career average above 36.

Clarke's 31 from 36 deliveries were his first runs of the tour in a potentially tight situation. His time in the middle will prove invaluable as the final 2 matches approach.

For the second straight match, Muttiah Muralidaran went without a wicket for the second match in a row - an ominous sign, potentially for both sides.

Final Scores:

Sri Lanka 8/226 (M Jayawardene 80; J Gillespie 3/36)

Australia 5/227 (R Ponting 63, D Martyn 62, A Symonds 45*; C Vaas 3/34)

Australia won by 5 wickets.

Cricket Web Player-of-the-Match: Jason Gillespie.

Australia lead the 5 match series 2-1.

Posted by Andre