LIVE – http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758: 3rd Test – Australia take lead, as Hughes brings up ton – Match Update
Australia overcame their first innings deficit against Sri Lanka on day four of the final Test of the three-match series at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo on Monday, September 19, 2011.
The hosts had gained a first innings lead of 157 runs and looked to take some early wickets in the Australian innings. However, the tourists are into a comfortable position heading towards the end of day four.
The highlight of the Australian second innings was a spectacular century from opening batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Phillip-Hughes-c2185, who had been struggling throughout the series at the top of the order.
Hughes got solid support from his opening partner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Watson-c2558, as the pair put on 62 runs for the first wicket partnership. The latter failed to make most of the start to his innings, getting dismissed for 21 runs.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 has been unable to score big runs at the top of the order in the longest version of the game and has been criticised for this. However, the star all-rounder was willing to move down the order if needed by the team.
Sri Lanka’s spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HMRKB-Herath-c1559 was the man who got the breakthrough for his side. He deceived the batsman with his arm-ball, one which goes straighter with the angle.
The fall of wicket brought http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SE-Marsh-c2470 at the crease. He had a dream debut, scoring 141 runs in his first ever outing in the second Test of the series.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754
ruled him out.
Surprisingly, Marsh did not review the decision and walked off the field. The replays clearly suggested that there was daylight between the gloves and the ball, but Herath was lucky to scalp a second wicket.
However, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377 and Hughes batted sensibly after that, scoring a half-century stand for the third wicket partnership. They will be looking forward to finish the day without further loss and resume their respective innings tomorrow.
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