Vaas, Malinga Bowl SL to Comfort
Thursday, July 1 2004
A fiery afternoon display of bowling from Test debutant Lasith Malinga as well as a steady workman's effort from Chaminda Vaas has ensured that Sri Lanka'a decision to bowl first in Darwin was in fact justified, skittling the hosts for 207.
Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu won the toss and elected to field on an uneven looking Darwin wicket, with patches of the pitch appearing a different colour to the remainder.
For the Australians, Matthew Elliott was returning to the Test squad for the first time in 5 years, while Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne were playing their first home Test matches since June 2003 and December 2002 respectively.
From the opening stages of the day, Justin Langer struggled. Attempting to leave a ball, he glided off the face of the bat only to fall into the hands of Mahela Jayawardene at first slip. Or so the Sri Lankans though, before umpire Aleem Dar offered the Western Australian a reprieve in calling not out.
The decision did not prove too punishing for the tourists as Langer added 72 for the first wicket with perpetual partner Matthew Hayden before sweeping Thilan Samaraweera to Upul Chandana at deep square leg after making 30.
Elliott's renaissance was short lived, adding just 1 before falling to Chaminda Vaas with a loose drive shortly before lunch. Matthew Hayden feel immediately after the luncheon interval when he was well caught in the gully from Vaas for 37.
Damien Martyn and Darren Lehmann again combined in impressive fashion by adding 97 from the fourth wicket before Sanath Jayasuriya claimed Martyn for 47.
Lasith Malinga bowled with passion and fire throughout the afternoon session, and after claiming Darren Lehmann's wicket with a no-ball he finally had his man, dubiously LBW for 57. 3 balls later acting captain Adam Gilchrist was caught behind as the debutant snared 2 quick wickets.
Chaminda Vaas returned to claim the final 3 wickets, along with a run-out, to finish the Australian cause on 207. Vaas himself finished with impressive figures of 5/31.
The Sri Lankan attack impressed on the helpful wicket, with Marvan Atapattu rallying his bowlers well and the fielding effort impressive from the John Dyson coached outfit.
Yet Glenn McGrath returned to Test cricket with impressive fire, and most importantly, sharp skills to claim the wickets of Atapattu and Jayasuriya before stumps. As Jason Gillespie carried on his punishing form of recent summers in claiming one wicket, the Sri Lankans slumped to 3/43 at stumps.
Scores: Stumps Day 1
Australia 207 (D Lehmann 57, D Martyn 47; C Vaas 5/31)
Sri Lanka 3/43 (G McGrath 2/28)
Posted by Andre
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