Opening stand boosts Sri Lanka’s chances of their first series win in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746
The openers at the SCG in the second One-day international, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga racked up a brilliant 98-run opening stand to give their team a fair chance of winning their first ever series Down-under. The pair provided their team with
an excellent foundation to build a daunting first innings total, after winning the toss and electing to bat first.
In the 20th over, Dilshan wanted to stamp his authority further as he tried to dominate the discipline bowling of Nathan Hauritz, failing to sweep a straight delivery as it struck him right in-front of the pads, falling to an lbw decision. In
the process, his 47 runs took him just 57 balls, smacking five crisp boundaries.
Mahela Jayewardene then followed soon after the demise of the opener, adding just 5 runs to the total. The lbw decision was controversial, which gave Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 his first and Australia their 2nd wicket.
Kumar Sangakkara came in to bat with a lot of intent and responsibility. He gathered a 70-run partnership with Upul. Sri-Lankans, after the demise of their former captain Mahela, jogged for their runs in the start. Suddenly, Sangakkara felt the urge to score
quick runs and things started to flow briskly, when the 'Rain God' interrupted their show for the first time.
The Sri Lankan crowd were chanting for their players, but to everyone’s irritation, the game came to a full stop after what was looking like a healthy acceleration. The visitors remained 161/2, after 34.1 overs
Afterwards, play resumed as the Sri Lankan pair wanted to carry their aggressive intent in the second session, in order to stamp their authority on the opposition. Soon after, the visiting captain fell to Watson, top edging one straight to the man at square
third man.
A comedy of errors it was, Tharanga on a score of 76 runs survived a comical run out, when he and Mathews were on the same end, trying to steal a risky single, Brad Haddin threw the ball over Watson’s head, who could have easily shattered the stumps to ran
the batsman out.
The hero of the first game at MCG played a timely innings as he struck 17 runs of just 11 balls, including three boundaries. Tharanga carried his bat through the innings as he mustered an unbeaten 86 runs. His elegant painting includes six scintillating
fours.
The rain arrived on the scene again and play was called off as the tourists remained on 213/3 in 41.1 overs. Now it is an innings break, we have to see what target Australia have to chase after the resumption of play at Sydney.
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