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NTCM XI v SL: Day 2

Saturday, June 26 2004

An unbeaten 163 from Kumar Sangakkara put the tourists in a strong position at the end of day 2 in their tour match against the Northern Territory Chief Minister's XI at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin. The Sri Lankans reached 5/304 at stumps after the Chief Minister's XI were out early in the day for 419.

The hosts resumed in the morning on 7/364, following captain Justin Langer's innings of 151. Paceman Lasith Malinga picked up Dent and Bayly early in the day to add to his four first-day wickets. Glenn McGrath joined the overnight batsman Darren Treumer, frustrating the Sri Lankans with a last-wicket stand of 42, of which McGrath contributed an unbeaten 31 from just 28 balls. Treumer was last man out to Farveez Maharoof for 65, ending the Chief Minister's XI innings on 419, boosted somewhat by 47 extras. Malinga finished with 6/90, and a similar performance in the second innings, according to coach John Dyson, might earn him a place in the First Test team to take on Australia.

Sangakkara joined Sanath Jayasuriya in opening the batting, in the absence of regular opener and captain Marvan Atapattu. Much of the focus was on Australian quick Glenn McGrath, preparing for his first Test series since his return from injury. McGrath (0/49) failed to pick up a wicket in 15 overs, but maintained that he was satisfied with his performance, saying ""That second spell today, that's the best it [my action] has felt since I've been back."

The opening pair put on 134 before Jayasuriya fell to Anthony Dent on 64. Mahela Jayawardene managed only 4 before gifting Dent a return catch, and Samaraweera (5) and Dilshan (3) fell in quick succession to reduce the visitors to 4/182. A 99-run stand between Sangakkara and Russel Arnold soon put the Sri Lankans back on track, before Arnold fell to Katich for 29. Sangakkara continued to bat with increasing authority, reaching a superb 163 not out by the day's end, Romesh Kaluwitharana the other not-out batsman on 15.

The Sri Lankan XI ended day 2 on 5/304 from only 72 overs, well placed to surpass the home team's total tomorrow.

Progress Score: Stumps Day 2

Chief Minister's XI: 419 a.o. (JL Langer 151, R Bowden 75; SL Malinga 6/90)
Sri Lankans: 5/304 (KC Sangakkara 163*, S Jayasuriya 64; AC Dent 2/43)
Sri Lankans trail by 115 runs

Posted by Adam