Left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe took 5 for 43 and Joe Burns hit an unbeaten half-century as the Australians took major honours on day one in their three-day tour game against the Sri Lankan XI at P. Sara Oval stadium on Monday.
The visitors proved too strong for the hosts’ as they were able to muster only 229 after opting to bat first. The team from down under replied at just less than 4 runs per over accumulating 127 for the loss of only wicket at stumps.
Earlier in the opening session, Oshadha Fernando was trapped LBW by Mitchell Starc in the 3rd ball of the morning and Madawa Warnapura was caught at gully by Mitchell Marsh off Jackson Bird as both openers were back in the pavilion inside four overs. Wicket-keeper batsman Manoj Sarathchandra was undone by M Marsh in the second ball of his opening spell.
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Asela Gunarathne and Milinda Siriwardena batted with supreme authority against all odds adding 101 runs for the 4th wicket to rescue the hosts’ from the precarious position of 32 for 3.
Sri Lanka Army SC batsman, Gunarathne used both the conventional and reverse-sweep to great effect against Nathan Lyon and O’Keefe during his 106-ball 58 before Steve Smith anticipated one of the paddle sweeps off O’Keefe, moved to his left and grabbed smartly.
Gunarathne’s dismissal triggered a collapse as Shehan Jayasuriya fell in the same over striking straight to short mid-wicket. Skipper Siriwardana smashed two lofty sixes and exhibited excellent levels of buoyancy scoring 53 off 77 deliveries with 7 fours and 2 sixes.
After being dropped on 33, Siriwardana was finally pouched by wicket-keeper Peter Nevill off Jackson Bird as the home team was struggling with 6 down for 135.
Photo Album – Sri Lankan XI vs Australia – Tour Game Day – 1
All-rounders, Chathuranga De Silva and Dasun Shanaka counter-attacked excellently especially against the senior spinner, Nathan Lyon who leaked 72 runs off his 13 overs. While De Silva used the inside-out stroke to perfection, Shanaka hoisted two sixes, one to the roof.
De Silva and Shanaka constructed a timely 85-run stand for the 7th wicket before the former gave an easy caught and bowl chance to O’Keefe, just a run short of a well-deserved half-century.
The New South Wales spinner who has played only two Test matches took two more wickets including Shanaka’s wicket courtesy a one-handed grab by Smith at first slip as the visitors wrapped up the Sri Lankan innings in the 58th over.
“He’s always got something to say to you, which is great, he always got feedback after each session, each spell and give you hints about the field-placing’s and what the batsmen would do here. He’s been a massive help for us. “Steve O’Keefe told the media about the impact of Muttiah Muralitharan after first day’s play.
Steve O’Keefe told the media about the impact of Muttiah Muralitharan after first day’s play.
The Australian openers, Joe Burns and Shaun Marsh did not face any major threats at all from the Lankan seam barrage which included the experienced, Dilhara Fernando who has played 40 Tests and has taken 100 wickets.
Marsh offered Nisala Tharaka no respite as he took him to the cleaners crisping 4 boundaries of his 4th over while adding 97 for the first wicket before playing down the wrong side and castling himself off Shehan Jayasuriya for a 75-ball 47.
Burns faced exactly 100 deliveries for his unbeaten 64 which included a massive straight six over the site-screen while Khawaja who walked out in the final few minutes made 11.
The match will be continued tomorrow (19th July) for second day’s play.
Sri Lankan XI – 229 all out in 57.2 overs: Asela Gunarathne 58, Milinda Siriwardana 53, Chathuranga De Silva 49, Dasun Shanaka 39, Steve O’Keefe 5/43, Jackson Bird 2/26, Mitchell Starc 2/39.
Australians – 127/1 in 32 overs: Joe Burns 64, Shaun Marsh 47*, Usman Khawaja 11*, Shehan Jayasuriya 1/23.
