Australia v http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 taper off after strong start
Having maintained a firm dominant stance from the first day of their ongoing second Test against Sri Lanka, Australia began to slow down as the day drew to a close, and after the fall of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Watson-c2558 and Michael Clarke, were at 332 for 6 by tea, and leading by just 176 runs with 4 wickets remaining, in their 1st innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today on December 27.
The first day had seen the rampaging Aussie bowling attack laying waste to the Sri Lankan batting order after the visitors won the toss and chose to bat first. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lions-c808 were skittled for a paltry 156.
In addition to their inability to post a decent first innings total, the tourists were also beset by injuries – wicketkeeper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/UWMBCA-Welegedara-c2735 went down with what seemed to be a hamstring strain today.
Australia had gotten their first innings off to a promising start on the first day, with openers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Phillip-Hughes-c2185 (10) remained ordinary. However, Australia managed to work their way up to 150 for 3 by stumps.
The second day kicked off with Shane Watson and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120, who has had an extraordinary run this year, beat Ponting’s record for most Test runs in a calendar year, with his most recent century bringing his tally for 2012 up to 1595, past Ponting’s 1544 for 2005.
The 194-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Clarke (106) and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ranaweera-Mudiyanselage-Shaminda-Eranga-c83939, while Watson followed him back to the pavilion in the very next over, snapped up by Dhammika Prasad (21-2-81-3).
Wicketkeeper batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MEK-Hussey-c1942 (7*) and Johnson (11*) at the crease, found themselves at 332 for 6 by tea.
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