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Australia Complete Tour Match Win

Friday, March 5 2004

Shane Warne added to his limited workload before the first Test, while Andrew Symonds, Simon Katich and Darren Lehmann caused further headaches for selectors heading into the first Test match.

Day 1 allowed Simon Katich and Darren Lehmann to put their hands up for Test selection, both making hundreds as Australia compiled 6 dec. 484.

Ricky Ponting also made a hundred in the uncustomary role of opening bat while Andrew Symonds was unbeaten on 45.

The Sri Lankan president's XI's reply was a modest 166. Avishka Gunawardene's 70 at the top of the order propelled him into Test contention, yet the next highest score of the innings was 17.

Brett Lee steamed in for 4/29 (despite 8 no-balls), Stuart MacGill took 3/34 and Michael Kasprowicz (2) and Warne shared the remaining 3 wickets.

The second innings allowed for the Australians to give underdone batsmen time in the middle, with Justin Langer capitalising with 63 and Shane Warne 31.

Symonds' stellar tour of the country continued, this time plundering an unbeaten 119 as Australia declared at 4/250. Kaushal Lokuarachchi took 2 wickets for the President's side.

The second innings, largely without Lee, proved a harder task for the Australia bowlers as the President's XI complied a spirited 323.

Lanka de Silva pushed his claims for the Test keeping spot with 92, Gayan Wijkoon 67, while Thilan Samaraweera compiled 50.

Saman Jayantha composed a quick fire 45 from 66 deliveries.

Stuart MacGill continued his impressive match with 3/57 while Warne finished with 2/79. Lee, Lehmann, Kasprowicz, Symonds and Brad Williams snared a wicket each as Australia was victorious by 245 runs.

Australia 6 dec. 484 (D Lehmann 134, S Katich 116, R Ponting 116; R Herath 3/132)

Presidents XI 166 (A Gunawardene 70; B Lee 4/29, S MacGill 3/34)

Australia 4 dec. 250 (A Symonds 119*, J Langer 63; K Lokuarachchi 2/50)

Presidents XI 323 (L de Silva 92, G Wijkoon 67, T Samaraweera 50, S Jayantha 45; S MacGill 3/57)

Australia won by 245 runs.

Posted by Andre