Sri Lanka lost to Australia by 173 runs in 1989

by Ranjan Anandappa

CRICKET: Sri Lanka and Australia in December 1989 featured in the first ever Test match to be played at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart, Tasmania.

Sri Lanka had the honour in christening the Bellerive Oval in 1989 and it is on that ground that the second Test match between the two countries is presently being played.

In the 1989 Test, Australia were sent into bat and paceman Rumesh Ratnayake fully justified skipper Ranatunga's decision by capturing 6 for 66 off 19.4 overs. He ran through the Australian top order and the Aussies were reeling at 7 for 166 before they were all out for 224.

Sri Lanka replied with 216 with Roshan Mahanama's top score of 85 and Aravinda de Silva second best with 75.

Aravinda de Silva was in top form and was fired up with his first Test 167 at Brisbane which helped Sri Lanka to draw that first Test.

Australia amassed 513 for 5 declared in their second innings with Taylor, Dean Jones and Steve Waugh scoring centuries. Sri Lanka who were set a victory target of 522 were all out for 348, thus conceding a 173-run win to the Ausies. Aravinda de Silva struck another useful 72, followed by Asoka de Silva (50) who came as the 'night-watchman' and Ravi Ratnayake 75. Dammika Ranatunga too scored a fine 45.

AUSTRALIA 1ST INNINGS

D. Boon c.Mahanama b Rumesh Ratnayake 41, M. Taylor c. Tillkeratne b Rumesh Ratnayake 23, Tom Moody c Gurusinghe b Rumesh Ratnayake 6, A. Border c Asoka de Silva b Ravi Ratnayake 24, D. Jones c Tillekeratne b Rumesh Ratnayake 3. S. Waugh c Tillekeratne b Labrooy 16, P. Sleep not out 47, I. Healy c Tillekeratne b Gurusinghe 17, M. Hughes b Asoka de Silva 27, G.D.Campbell c Mahanama b Rumesh Ratnayake 6. T. Alderman b Rumesh Ratnayake 0.

Extras: (7 lb, 1w, 6nb.)14

Total: 224.

Fall of wickets: 50,68,83,89,112,123,166,207,224, 224.

Bowling: Ravi Ratnayake 15-2-39-1, G. Labrooy 19-3-61-1, Rumesh Ratnayake 19.4-2-66-6, C. Ramanayake 4-0-21-0, A. Gurusinghe 6-0-20-1, Asoka de Silva 9-6-10-1.

SRI LANKA 1ST INNINGS

R. Mahanama c Healy b Sleep 85, D. Ranatunga c Moody b Alderman 2, A. Gurusinghe c Taylor b Alderman 0, Asoka de Silva c Border b Campbell 2, Aravinda de Silva lbw b Campbell 75, A. Ranatunga c Moody b Sleep 21, H. Tillekeratne c Taylor b Sleep 0, Ravi Ratnayake c Taylor b Hughes 9, G. Labrooy b Hughes 11, C. Ramanayake not out 4. Rumesh Ratnayake c Border b Hughes 0,

Extras: (4lb, 3nb) 7.

Fall Of wickets: 11,15,18,146,188,192,193,201,216, 216.

Bowling: T. Alderman 23-2-71-2, G.Campbell 23-9-41-2, M. Hughes 21.4 -6- 68-3, P. Sleep 10-4-26-3, S. Waugh 6-3-6-0.

AUSTRALIA 2ND INNINGS

D. Boon c Rumesh Ratnayake b Labrooy 0, M. Taylor c Gurusinghe b Aravinda de Silva 108, T. Moody c Tillekeratne b Rumesh Ratnayake 5, A. Border b Asoka de Silva 85. M. Hughes c Gurusinghe b Rumesh Ratnayake 30, D. Jones not out 118. S. Waugh not out 134.

Extras: 2b. 5lb. 4w. 22nb. 33.

Total: (For 5 wickets declared) 513.

Bowling:G Labrooy 22-3-100-1, Rumesh Ratnayake 35-5-123-2, Ravi Ratnayake 19-1-86-0, Asoka de Silva 21-2-83-1, Aravinda de Silva 18-1-65-1,C. Ramanayake 10-0-49-0.

SRI LANKA 2ND INNINGS

R. Mahanama lbw b Campbell 5, D. Ranatunga c Healy b Hughes 45, A. Gurusinghe c Sub (Tucker) b Hughes 20, Asoka de Silva b Campbell 50, Aravinda de Silva c Campbell b Sleep 72, A. Ranatunga c Jones b Hughes 38, H. Tillekeratne c Waugh b Sleep 6, Ravi Ratnayake c Healy b Campbell 75, Greame Labrooy b Hughes 5, C. Ramanayake not out 2, Rumesh Ratnayake lbw b Hughes 5.

Extras: 9b. 12 lb, 4nb. 25.

Total: 348

Fall of wickets: 6, 53, 94, 187,187, 208, 332, 337, 337, 348.

Bowling: Alderman 30-12-48-0, Campbell 33-8-102-3, Sleep 36-16-73-2, Hughes 31.4-8-88-5, Moody 2-0-9-0, Jones 4-2-5-0, Border 5-4-2-0.