http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 – 2nd Test – Match Recap – Pacers put Australia in dominant position on day one
Led by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MG-Johnson-c1945, Australia’s bowling attack enabled the team to maintain a firm upper-hand over the touring Sri Lankan team, skittling them out for a paltry first innings total of 156 on the first day of their second Test, at the Melbourne Cricket
Ground today on December 26. The home team’s batsmen, in turn, barely stumbled during their first innings, as they reached 150 for 3 by stumps on day one, trailing by just 6 runs, with 7 wickets still in hand.
The match kicked off with Sri Lanka winning the toss and choosing to bat first – however, Johnson and co did not allow them to do justice to the decision. Launching a fierce attack, Australia’s Johnson (14-2-63-4) led the charge, and was supported by the
efforts of debutant http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Watson-c2558 remained wicketless, but managed to bowl an extremely economical spell, conceding just 3 runs in 3 overs.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bird-c48123 in the 4th
over as his first international Test wicket, after a mere 5-run contribution.
Sri Lanka had barely recovered when Johnson swept in to take http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DPMD-Jayawardene-c1397 (3), reducing the tourists to a shaky 37 for 3. Having come in at number 3,
Sangakkara made valiant attempts to get the team’s innings back on track with a 58-run contribution – however none of the remaining batsmen succeeded in joining him for a lasting partnership.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AD-Mathews-c913 (15), and Prasanna Jayawardene (24) all managed to reach double figures, but failed to convert them into sizeable contributions. Samaraweera and Mathews were sent packing by Bird, and Siddle respectively, and Johnson
added to the Lankans’ woes by snapping up http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HAPW-Jayawardene-c1529 and Dhammika Prasad (0) in the 39th over.
Sangakkara was dislodged by Johnson two overs later, leaving the visitors at 147 for 8. Lyon mopped up the tail by sending both http://www.senore.com/Cricket/UWMBCA-Welegedara-c2735 (0) back to the pavilion in the 44th over, and Sri Lanka finished all out
for a first innings total of 156.
Australia then stepped up to the crease for their first innings, and openers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DA-Warner-c1301 (62 off 46) got them off to a steady start with a 95-run opening partnership. Warner was eventually picked up by Mathews, but Cowan powered on. He
was joined by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Phillip-Hughes-c2185 (10) and the two batsmen got their team total up to 117, after which both were dismissed in successive overs – Hughes via run out, and Cowan off Prasad.
However, Australia did not appear at a disadvantage at any point, and by stumps on day one, with Shane Watson (13*) and skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 (20*) at the crease, the hosts finished at 150 for 3, perfectly poised to start building a substantial lead on
day two.
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