Game called off at lunch with Sri Lanka on 396 for 6 :

Jayewardene and Chandimal tonk half tons

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from Australia

The three-day game between the Chairman’s X1 and Sri Lanka was called off during the lunch break on the final day with the Sri Lanka score on 396 for 6 in reply to the Chairman’s X1 score of 439 for 6.

Overnight not out batsmen Prasanna Jayewardene and Dinesh Chandimal made merry in the time left, both making impressive half tons. Jayewardene from whom much is expected to bolster the middle order came good with a pleasing 71.

He showed his confidence and form of old in making his runs. He hit 9 fours, one six, faced 114 balls and stayed at the wicket for 147 minutes.

Dinesh Chandimal who has not batted in a representative game for some time, showed that he is in good touch and played strokes all round the wicket and with this innings he would have come into the frame for a spot in the Test squad.

He made 57 with 9 fours facing 85 balls and staying in the middle for 103 minutes.

This game was arranged as a practice match for the Sri Lankans as a limb loosener, before they get down to the more serious Three Test matches with the first Test beginning in Hobart on the 14.

The positives that the Sri Lankans can take from this game is while their batsmen clicked with Tillekeratne Dilshan scoring a well compiled century, Dimuth Karunaratne who is a certainty to open with Dilshan in the Test making 40, Kumar Sangakkara a steady 55, Mahela Jayewardene 36 and Prasanna Jayewardene showing his form of old to make 71 and Chandimal 57. What is of worry for the Sri Lankans is their bowling.

They did not play their two main bowlers Nuwan Kulaskera and Rangana Herath. The four pacemen Chanaka Welegedera, Nuwan Pradeep, Dhammika Prasad and Shamindra Eranga were let loose, but other than for Nuwan Pradeep, the others did not perform to expectations.

The Hobart wicket has been newly re-laid and from reports it is seam and swing friendly with Sheffield Shield games played on those strips helping the bowlers while the batsmen were struggling unable to make big scores.

Dilshan who along with Jayewardene and Sangakkara who are making their final tours to Australia are keen to bid good bye, not only by making big scores in the Tests, but also determined to steer the country to their first ever Test victory in Australia.Sri Lanka has not won a Test in Australia in 25 years of trying.

After his century knock Dilshan said: ‘For me I think this is my last tour to Australia for Test cricket. May be this statement I could carry for the next two months.

Definitely in the top order one has to put their hands up and put some big runs on the board to help the middle order and the tailenders. That’s our target.

‘It is really important that Mahela and Sanga come into form. They are two experienced guys in the side,they both can find the plus point for the team. I think it’s good that they spent some time in the middle and in a couple of days time we get ready for the First Test match in Hobart’.

Here in Canberra the Sri Lanka Community shown the way by former Royal cricketer High Commissioner Thisara Samarasinghe have provided the cricketers with their every need. The cricketers who could be happy with their performance in the game at the Manuka Oval will take that confidence with them as they fly out to Hobart today to prepare and face the Aussies.

Manuka Oval, Canberra, Saturday.