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. |