LIVE – Australia v http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in safe position – Cricket Match Update
Australia’s skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 falls after a valiant knock against Sri Lanka in the final Test of the three-match series at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo on Tuesday, September 20, 2011.
However, the tourists have an overall lead of more than 200 runs with five more wickets remaining, which has put them in a safe position on the final day of the last Test.
Sri Lanka needed to win this game in order to avoid a series defeat, but centuries from Clarke and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Phillip-Hughes-c2185 have almost certified the outcome of the match.
The fifth day started with Australia at 209 for the loss of three wickets. Hughes resumed his innings on 122 whereas the team’s skipper was batting on eight at that stage.
The left-handed opener managed to add just four runs to his overnight score, as he was dismissed after collecting 126 runs. He really needed this performance in order to cement his place in the side.
Hughes was struggling to score big runs at the top of the order, but played his natural game once he came out to bat for the final time on the Sri Lankan tour. He made most of the good batting conditions and ended up with a magnificent ton.
However, the early wicket of the flamboyant opener saw the Aussie side under some pressure. Clarke was joined by in form batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MEK-Hussey-c1942 and the pair batted cautiously throughout the first session of play.
Once the team was in a safe position, Clarke started attacking the opposition’s bowlers. He had been under immense pressure for not being able to reach three figures for quite some time.
However, the Aussie skipper changed things around this time, as he completed his century at a very crucial time. He scored 112 runs off 178 balls with the help of 14 fours and three massive sixes.
Clarke became the fifth victim of Sri Lanka’s spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HMRKB-Herath-c1559, who has lacked support from the other bowlers in the innings.
The left-arm spinner had been hit for boundaries by the Aussie captain throughout the day, but finally deceived him in flight. The batsman made a mistake and gave a simple catch to the fielder at mid-on.
Tags: