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Australia Win First Practice Match

Wednesday, February 18 2004

Australia's tour of Sri Lanka got off to a good and very predictable start, as the ever strong Australian middle order fired with all guns blazing to easily defeat the Sri Lankan President's XI.

The President's XI batted first and got off to a blazing start with openers Avishka Gunawardene and Jayantha blasting the opening spell of Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee.

The President's XI were going at 10 runs per over, before Gunawardene fell to Brett Lee for 14. Jayantha and Randy Hewage continued to pile on the runs for the Sri Lankan President's XI as Jayantha reached his 50 off just 52 balls.

However before Jayantha could reach his milestone, Hewage was dismissed by Michael Kasprowicz for just 25. Another Sri Lankan batsman on the fringe of selection, Jehan Mubarak made most of his opportunity to face the best bowling side in the world.

Along with Jayantha, Mubarak stroked the ball to the boundary fence numerous times to bring up his half century as well. Jayantha fell next for a well made 50, as he was lbw to Brad Hogg. With the score at 4/179, Mubarkak fell victim to the left arm wrist spin of Simon Katich who shattered Mubarak's stumps.

Russel Arnold chipped in with a valuable 35 runs and a quickfire 33 from Ramyakumara ensured that the Sri Lankan President's XI post a very solid and very strong 8/283.

Austalia's batsmen got things cracking straight away as Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist punished anything either overpitched or short of a length straight to the boundary. The two put on 70 in 7 overs before Hayden fell for 35 to Fernando.

Adam Gilchrist continued to pile on the runs, before he was dismissed for 43 off Herath's slow left arm spinners. However it was Ricky Ponting's 57 (retired) alongside Damien Martyn (41 retired) and Andrew Symonds (47 retired), which guided Australia home to a comfortable victory.


Brief Score Summary:

Sri Lankan President's XI: 8/283 (J Mubarak 56, S Jayantha 50, RP Arnold 35, GB Hogg 2/46, M Kasprowicz 1/27, B Williams 1/24, B Lee 1/23)

Australia: 5/284 (RT Ponting 57 retired, A Symonds 47 retired, AC Gilchrist 43, DR Martyn 41 retired, Herath 1/58, TCB Fernando 1/38)

Australia Won by Five Wickets

Cricket Web Player of the Match: RT Ponting (AUS)




Posted by Sangrah