Sri Lanka v Australia – 3rd Test – 5th Day’s Summary
Australia 316/ 488 v Sri Lanka 473/ 7 - Match drawn
Australia managed to win the three-match Test series against hosts Sri Lanka by 1-0 after ending the third match in a draw on the fifth day at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo.
After ending the fourth day of the match on 209 runs for the loss of three wickets the Aussies began the final day’s proceedings aiming to bat throughout the day to earn a series win.
From Australia, PJ Hughes and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 started the batting to add more runs to their overnight tallies of 122 and eight runs.
However, after taking the score to 220 runs, Australia lost the services of Hughes, who after playing an innings of 126 runs off 220 deliveries found his way back to the pavilion when he was caught by Thirimanne at backward squad-leg off the bowling of Rangana
Herath.
After this wicket, it was time for Australia’s Mr. Dependable http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758’s miseries as the hosts needed quick wickets to convert the match into a result
oriented event. However, with Clarke back in full form and Hussey standing like a wall, it was easier said than done.
The two batsmen knew what was needed from them and made sure not to lose their wicket in front a desperate bowling attack that was left in ruins while bowling against the flamboyant batsmen.
The two batsmen added 176 runs in the fifth wicket partnership as they took the score to 396 runs before losing another wicket when http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 after playing a stupendous knock of 112 runs off 178 deliveries was caught by Paranavitana at mid-on off the bowling
of Herath.
However, this was not an end to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BJ-Haddin-c1170 came to join the party alongside Hussey to annihilate the Sri Lankans who were sensing a comeback in the match.
However, the hosts were once again reduced to rubble as the Aussie batsmen forged another belligerent stand.
It was then on the penultimate delivery of the 124th over when Hussey after smashing a prolific innings of 93 runs was caught by Welegedara at square off the bowling of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TM-Dilshan-c2691.
At the time of this wicket the visitors had managed to post 448 runs on the board for the loss of six wickets.
Haddin then found his way back to the pavilion after smashing 30 runs when he was caught by Lakmal at mid-off on the bowling of Herath.
Later, however, the Australians managed to post 488 runs on the board before losing all their wickets.
Coming out to bat there wasn’t any time left for the Lankans to bat long enough to produce a result from the match as they could put only seven runs on the board before stumps.
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