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Shaun and Michael slam centuries in a big stand of
258:
Sri Lankans 'Marshed'
By Elmo RODRIGOPULLE reporting Pallekele
With a lead of 237 runs and three wickets remaining and two days to
go in the Second Test, Australia is in the driving seat against Sri
Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, here today.
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Australian cricketer Shaun Marsh raises his bat |
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Australian cricketer Michael Hussey raises his bat .Pix:
Kamal Jayamanne |
It won’t be long before Michal Clarke declares, and then will begin
the sink or swim game for the home team. As the Test stands there is no
way that the Lankans can probe for an unlikely win.
All their batsmen will have to do is stay put at the wicket, thwart
the Aussie pace and spin attack and endeavour to come out with a draw. A
draw will leave them with a chance of winning the Final Test at the SSC
and squaring the series which will be respectable. A loss here and it
will be a calamity for the game.
It is up to batsmen of the calibre of skipper Tillekeratne Dilshan,
Thararanga Paranavitana, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, Thilan
Samaraweera, Prasanna Jayawardena and Angelo Mathews to put their heads
down and play for pride, game and country. Let’s wait and see how they
will go.
With the light fading and a slight drizzle falling and with no
further play likely, the umpires called off play at 3.30 p.m.
Second day
The second day was completely dominated by the two left handers Shaun
Marsh and Michael Hussey who in remaining unbeaten on 87 and 76 put on a
vital stand of 148 to take the Australian score to 264 for 3, a lead of
90 when bad light stopped play 30 minutes after tea to end the agony for
Sri Lanka.
The day dawned bright with the sun shining and conditions were ideal
for cricket.
When play began the Australians had to score fast considering that
after tea the light gets dark which brings a premature end to the day’s
play.
From the first ball on day three there ensued a race of sorts between
Hussey and Marsh as to who would be first to the century? Both stood on
98. But like Usain Bolt dashing off the blocks, Hussey was first to
breast the century tape when he on drove a ball from off spinner Randiv
to leg to signal his 14th Test ton in 193 balls with 10 fours in 223
minutes.
Sweep to leg
In the same over of Randiv, Marsh went to his century when he swept a
ball to leg. It came in 224 balls, 319 minutes and was studded with 13
fours. It was a memorable debut century for Marsh and one that he will
always remember. Present to share his moment of glory was his father
Geoff, the former Australian opener who was all smiles.
Geoff, during his illustrious career when he formed a feared opening
partnership with David Boon, knows what joy it brings to be in century
land. Now his son Shaun is into that land reserved for batting greats
and what joy it must have been for father and son. All Australia can
certainly be proud of the father and son.
When Hussey and Marsh reached their dream centuries, they punched the
air in delight and raised their bats, first to their team mates who
stood up to them putting their hands together and later to the sparse
crowd who also applauded.
Good look
Marsh and Hussey got together when Australia were 116 for 3. Firstly
they had a good look at the way the wicket was playing and what the
bowlers were offering. Once they got their eyes in, they concentrated
and applied themselves to the tasks ahead and what a batting lesson they
provided.
Marsh failed to slot into the team earlier, because the team was rich
with batsmen. He is in only because Ponting was missing. He grabbed that
opportunity and showed how to capitalize on it and now with this
century, the selectors will not be ‘playing cricket’ if they leave him
out of the next Test.
Marsh was fortunate to have the experienced Hussey guiding him
through his innings and to the century. He has all the strokes in the
book, but excels in the drives on either side of the wicket. He is tight
in defence, has the right technique and temperament and has a bright
future ahead of him.
If Marsh and Hussey piled on the agony on day two with a 148 stand,
then they tortured the attack on day three adding a further 100 runs in
quick time making it a massive 258 run stand in which they sprayed the
innocuous Sri Lankan attack to all parts of the park.
Hussey was dismissed just before lunch when he lofted a delivery from
off spinner Thilan Samaraweera and was taken by Kumar Sangakkara
fielding at deep cover for 142. He faced 244 balls, hit 16 fours and
stayed put at the wicket for 301 minutes.
Samaraweera a former frontline off spinner, bowled tantalizing and
troubled the batsmen and should have been bowled a lot more than the
four overs he bowled taking a wicket for seven runs. The Aussies took
lunch at 378 for 4 with Marsh on 130 and Usman Khawaja on one and a lead
of 204 runs.
After lunch Australia lost the wickets of Marsh for 141, Brad Haddin
one and Mitchel Johnson without scoring and when rain and bad light
stopped play after 40 minutes, Australia were 411 for 7 a lead of 237.
Khawaja was on 13 and Ryan Harris on 9.
Sri Lanka 1st innings
AUSTRALIA - 1ST INNINGS
S. Watson b Lakma 36
P. Hughes c Paranavitana b Randiv 36
S. Marsh c Sangakkara b Lakmal 141
M. Clarke c M. Jayawardene b Welegedara 13
M. Hussey c Sangakkara b Samaraweera 142
Usman Khawaja not out 13
B. Haddin c Sangakkara b Randiv 01
M. Johnson b Randiv 00
R. Harris not out 09
Extras (lb9, nb10, w1) 20
Total (for seven wickets, 132 overs) 411
To bat: Trent Copeland, Nathan Lyon.
Fall of wickets: 1-60 (Watson), 2-95 (Hughes)
3-116 (Clarke), 4-374 (Hussey)
5-391 (Marsh), 6-392 (Haddin)
7-392 (Johnson)
Bowling: Welegedara 23-2-74-1 (nb3, w1)
Lakmal 23-2-102-2 (nb7)
Prasanna 23-3-80-0
Dilshan 14-4-32-0
Randiv 43-7-103-3
Sangakkara 2-0-4-0
Samaraweera 4-0-7-1 |
