LIVE – http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758: 3rd Test – Sri Lanka all out after 157-run lead – Match Update
Sri Lanka were all out for 473 in their first innings against Australia 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 ended up with a first innings lead of 157 runs and the highlight of the innings was a spectacular batting performance from all-rounder http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AD-Mathews-c913. The youngster brought up his maiden Test ton and remained unbeaten on 105 runs until the end.
Earlier, the home team’s bowlers restricted the Aussie batsmen to 316 in their first outing. Debutant http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lions-c808, as he picked up four wickets in the innings.
Although the hosts had been unable to pile a solid first innings total in the previous games, they did a fabulous job this time around.
The team’s openers’ http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hettige-Don-Rumesh-Lahiru-Thirimanne-c63124 put on 56 runs at the top of the order, but both failed to make most of the starts they got. They got out for 46 and 28 respectively.
However, the innings was carried forward by veteran batsmen http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DPMD-Jayawardene-c1397. The pair showed their class and proved their worth in the side, collecting 101 runs for the third wicket partnership.
Although both classy players failed to score a big one for their team, they ended up with solid half-centuries.
Jayawardene scored 51 runs whereas Sangakkara got out after adding 79 runs to the total.
Sri Lanka’s skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TM-Dilshan-c2691 demoted himself to number five and the ploy worked out well for the team. He contributed 83 runs to the team with the help of 14 boundaries.
However, Mathews did not miss out on an opportunity to make a big one for his team. He did not panic under pressure, as wickets kept on falling at the other end. The youngster’s patience was rewarded by his maiden Test century.
He ended up with an unbeaten 105 runs with the help of 10 boundaries. Wicketkeeper batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HAPW-Jayawardene-c1529 also supported him well, collecting 47 runs towards the end of the innings.
Australia’s http://www.senore.com/Cricket/PM-Siddle-c2197 picked up four wickets in the innings and was impressive during his return game.
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