Aussies win despite Mahela and Angelo heroics

By Elmo RODRIGOPULLE in Galle

A fighting century from former Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardena 105 who was involved in a gallant 6th wicket stand of 142 with Angelo Mathews 95 who was unfortunate to miss his first century in Tests, failed to prevent Australia from romping to a 125 run win in the First of Three Tests at the Galle International Cricket stadium, here today. Off spinner Nathan Lyon was the wrecker of the Sri Lankan first innings with 5 for 34. Medium pacer Ryan Harris knocked the stuffings out of the Lankans in the second innings with 5 for 62. Michael Hussey was named man of the match for his gutty 95 in the first innings that held the Aussie batting together.

The victory for the Australians was all the more sweet because it was the first outing for Michael Clarke as captain. And it was all the more creditable with the win being in the sub continent. They sent the Lankans packing with more than a day to spare, which would have been galling to the Lankans considering that they were playing at home.

The Australians played the better cricket on a wicket that was a nightmare for the batsmen. They showed the right technique and applied themselves well and as it proved the 273 that they made in the first innings and then skittling out the Lankans for 105, gaining a lead of 168 was what turned the game in their favour.

This victory was of special significance for former Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting because he was playing in his country’s 100 Test victory.

Brilliant sunshine greeted the players when they took the field on the fourth day. There was not a drop of rain overnight and the covers on the wicket and the ground were taken off very early and when the umpires called ‘play half an hour early, everything looked a picture and a day of excitement was on the cards.

When overnight not outs Mahela Jayawardena and Angelo Mathews walked out with the score on 120 for 5, they were under tremendous pressure faced with a very difficult ask of surviving with two days remaining and a wicket that was not easy for batting. They had to stick it out and look for 259 more runs if Sri Lanka were to savour a victory that looked impossible considering that they were the only last recognized batsmen.

The Australians on the other hand were looking to finish things off by scalping the last remaining five Sri Lanka wickets and doing their usual jig of joy whenever they pocket a victory.

Michael Clarke opened the bowling and into the fourth over and hey presto, dark clouds suddenly enveloped the ground and the rains poured down probably much to the delight of the home team and the frustration of the Aussies.. The ground staff directed by Field Marshal Jayananda Warnaweera, firstly got the all important wicket covered and then the ground in quick time. It was a sight to behold watching the ground staff sporting red and blue LG ABANS tee shirts braving the rain to get the park covered so that there could be play if and when the rain ceases. But thankfully it rained only for a few minutes and soon ‘sunna boy’ was peeping out much to everyone’s relief.

Jayawardena and Mathews negotiated the 3.3 overs possible without any hiccups taking the score to 126 with Jayawardena on 58 and Mathews on 37.

When play resumed after a loss of 68 minutes, Jayawardena and Mathews continued from where they left off and showing great courage and determination countered all what the Aussie bowlers had to offer and in between broke out into playing some aggressive strokes.

Jayawardena was all responsibility and concentration, while Mathews at times lost his patience and launched out some audacious strokes that nearly led to his demise. But he was fortunate to have Jayawardena with him who would have told him that there is a lot more left in this game and to be a bit more cautious.

Sri Lanka took lunch at 187 for 5 with Jayawardena on 90 and Mathews on 66. The Aussie bowlers tried everything they knew but would have been frustrated that no success came their way. Clarke switched his bowlers around and with no success coming his way, tried his luck taking the new ball as soon as it became available. In the meantime Jayawardena completed his 29th Test hundred when he late cut a delivery from Harris to the fence and did he not jubilate,

His team mates gave him a standing ovation and so did the spectators and also his lady Christina who is always there for inspiration.

His century was a great one consideration the situation in which it was made. When he seemed like settling down for a long innings, Harris always a trier, got one to nip back to take the edge and knock back his leg stump. His 105 had 15 fours, 1 six and came off 231 balls in 211 minutes. He left at 210-6-105.

What an innings it was. He cut, drove, swept and pulled with great ease and none of the Aussie bowlers could trouble him. His great stand with Mathews was worth 142 in 310 balls and 197 minutes. Once he left Suraj Randiv followed him caught at slip by Clarke off Mitchell Johnson for no score. 221-7-0.

Rangana Herath came in and slogged around for 12 before dolling a catch to Copeland off Harris. 242-8-12. Angelo Mathews who was nearing his first Test century and on 95 had a sudden rush of blood, put his head up and tried to lift Shane Watson and had his stumps knocked back. 249-9-95. In his first Test as vice captain, had he reached three figures, it would have been one to remember and to treasure. But sadly it did not come. Suraj Lakmal tried a big hit to only see Johnson running back to take a well judged catch off Nathan Lyon to signal the end of the Lankans and gift Australia a victory by 125 runs. 253-10-5.

		SCOREBOARD

AUSTRALIA - 1ST INNINGS -273
SRI LANKA – 1ST INNINGS - 105
AUSTRALIA – 2ND INNINGS - 210
SRI LANKA - 2ND INNINGS
         
T. Paranavitana lbw b Harris		00
T. Dilshan b Harris			12
K. Sangakkara c Hussey b Watson		17
M. Jayawardene b Harris		       105
T. Samaraweera c Haddin b Johnson	00
P. Jayawardene b Harris			00
A. Mathews b Watson			95
S. Randiv c Clarke b Johnson		00
R. Herath c Copeland b Harris		12
S. Lakmal c Johnson b Lyon		05
C. Welegedara not out			04
Extras (b1, lb1, w1)			03
Total (all out, 95.5 overs)	       253

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-15, 3-52, 4-63, 5-68, 6-210
		 7-221, 8-242, 9-249, 10-253
Bowling: Harris 20-5-62-5 (w1)
	 Copeland 16-6-20-0
	 Johnson 19-6-56-2
	 Lyon 19.5-2-73-1
	 Clarke 6-0-16-0
	 Watson 13-6-19-2
	 Ponting 2-0-5-0