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Day 4: Australia push for victory

Tuesday, July 13 2004

A clinical and aggressive performance with both bat and ball put Australia in a dominant position at stumps on Day 4 of the Second Test in Cairns. After finishing off the Sri Lankan first innings, the Australian top order put on 2/194 in just 49 overs, to give the home side a chance for victory which seemed unlikely at the end of the third day.

The visitors resumed play on 5/411, hoping to take a first-innings lead after Australia had posted 517. They added only nine before McGrath claimed his second wicket, snaring Kaluwitharana for an aggressive 34. Samaraweera and Chandana edged the score along to 445 before the collapse set in.

A sharp spell from Gillespie eventually accounted for Samaraweera for a competent 70, caught at slip by Ricky Ponting. Vaas (2) fell soon after to the same combination to give Gillespie his third wicket. Warne managed the same, drawing Chandana down the pitch to be stumped for 19. By the time Malinga had collected his third duck in as many Test innings, runout by a direct hit from Lehmann, Sri Lanka were all out for 455.

With a lead of 62, the Australian openers looked to attack from the outset. Justin Langer could not replicate his first-innings century though, edging Zoysa to the 'keeper on 8. Zoysa in particular tied Hayden and Ponting early on, the latter managing an uncharacteristically slow 45, before becoming Zoysa's second victim.

The arrival of Martyn to the crease lifted the scoring rate somewhat, with both batsman taking to the Sri Lankan spinners to reach half-centuries. The pair lifted as their partnership progressed, the threat of rain heightening their urgency. Poor light and rain eventually did end the day, but not before Hayden and Martyn had added 67 from the last nine overs, to lift Australia to 2/194. Hayden finished on 68 not out - 32 runs adrift of his second century of the match - and Martyn unbeaten on 52.

With an overall lead of 256, Australia will be looking for quick runs in the morning, leaving time to possibly bowl out the tourists. An additional hour will be played on day 5 to compensate for lost time, so a victory is a distinct possibility.

Progress Score: Stumps Day 4

Australia (1st Innings): 517a.o. (Langer 162, Hayden 117, Martyn 97; Chandana 5/109, Malinga 4/148)
Sri Lanka (1st Innings): 455a.o. (Atapattu 133, Sangakkara 74; Gillespie 3/116, Warne 3/129)
Australia (2nd Innings): 2/194 (Hayden 68*, Martyn 52*)
Australia lead by 256 runs

Posted by Adam