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Sri Lanka upset Australia
Friday, 29 February 2008 - 8:36 PM SL Time
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Australia`s Adam Gilchrist smashed a blistering 83 in his farewell appearance at the MCG but his teammates collapsed to hand Sri Lanka an unlikely 13-run win here on Friday.
The tourists, in their final match of the tri-series, made 221, and Australia looked well set when Gilchrist launched an extraordinary attack at the top of the order.
However, in a disappointing performance just two days away from their first tri-series final against India, the home side were dismissed for 208 from 48.1 overs to end a seven-match winning streak against the Sri Lankans.
Gilchrist smashed the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground and Australia had already raced to 107 when opening partner James Hopes was controversially bowled for 28 by Muttiah Muralitharan (2-42) in the 15th over.
Although there was confusion over how Hopes was dismissed, it seemed a minor hiccup for his side.
However, the match turned when Gilchrist holed out to a fine catch by Lasith Malinga from the bowling of Nuwan Kulasekara (2-36) at long off for 83 just six runs later.
The veteran left-hander, set to retire at the end of this tournament, faced just 50 balls, belting 11 fours and two sixes and was on target to score Australia`s fastest one-day international hundred.
Sri Lankan veteran Sanath Jayasuriya, who claimed the last Australian wicket, said the dismissal of the Australian wicketkeeper-batsman was the turning point.
`Gilly batted really well, that was the crucial wicket for us,` he said.
`After that, I thought the bowlers bowled really well.`
Gilchrist was named man of the match, but took little delight from the award after the loss, blaming himself for the defeat.
`I feel a bit silly to be honest,` he said. `I had that game by the throat, so I feel a bit silly. I got a bit carried away.`
With Gilchrist gone, the match turned suddenly as Sri Lanka claimed four more wickets in quick succession, the home side losing 6-16 to slump to 123 for six.
Captain Ricky Ponting was trapped LBW by Kulasekara for one, while Michael Clarke and the struggling Andrew Symonds both fell for ducks, all three batsmen falling with the score on 115.
When Brad Haddin, playing as a batsman with opener Matthew Hayden rested, was trapped LBW by a superb Malinga yorker for seven, Australia were in deep trouble.
Mike Hussey and Brad Hogg steadied the ship briefly, before Chamara Kapugedera curved one through Hussey`s defences to remove him for five, leaving Australia 142 for seven.
Brett Lee tried to revive the chase, but any hope of an Australian fightback seemed over when Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene claimed a superb diving catch to remove Mitchell Johnson and give Ishara Amerasinghe (3-44) his third wicket.
Number 11 Nathan Bracken joined Lee and the pair cut the target from 49 to just 14 before Jayawardene sprung a surprise by bringing Jayasuriya on for the 49th over.
With his first ball he clean bowled Lee for 37 to hand Sri Lanka the win.
Earlier, half-centuries from Jayawardene and Tillakaratne Dilshan steered Sri Lanka to 221 after winning the toss.
Jayawardene cracked 50 off 66 balls and Dilshan 62 from 70 balls after they had slumped to 42 for three with the loss of star batsman Kumar Sangakkara for 11.
Left-arm paceman Nathan Bracken finished with 4-29 off 10 overs and Brett Lee claimed two wickets.
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srimal111
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 29 Feb 2008 14:47:12 GMT Report for Abuse
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Sri Lanka upset Australia
This is the power of the ELAM supporters cheering the Sri lankan team. he he
The power of the red Tshirts he he
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Randu097
Joined: Mar 2007
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 29 Feb 2008 14:47:52 GMT Report for Abuse
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Yantham ehti..?
Den benum ahanne nethiwa apahu enne puluwan.
Is this will be Sana's last tour for SL?
It's going to bit boring for me to follow SL without Sana.
Anyway, Thank you Sana. |
SatanKaBacha
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 29 Feb 2008 15:10:23 GMT Report for Abuse
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This is the power of the ELAM supporters cheering the Sri lankan team. he he
The power of the red Tshirts he he
Congratulations Sri Lanka for the birth in CB Series Finals..!
Heeheehee
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SatanKaBacha
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29 Feb 2008 15:15:05 GMT Report for Abuse
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Is this will be Sana's last tour for SL?
Randu,
Sana undecided yet.. So we all still have hope..! I'm sure he will make it big in the next world cup..! Sadly, his recent request to break into the U19 team was turned down by the Cricket Board, citing crowded international schedule..!!
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felixsrilanka
Joined: Jul 2007
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 29 Feb 2008 15:46:43 GMT Report for Abuse
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I hope we can regroup and be a better team . I think Sanga should lead SL ODSIs .Mahela can be a test Captain ? I love cricket enjoy watching our team but excpet the last game IT WAS HORRIBLE CRICKET.
Is Sri Lanka THE ONLY cricket playing nation where A POLITICIAN WHO NEVER PLAYED CRICKET HAS TO APPROVE THE FINAL SELECTION ?
Mr.Ranatunge it is very scary ....You should have the final say since you know cricket and you were a great Captain.
WE ( MOST) SRI LANKANS OVERSEAS BELIEVE IN YOU ...PLEASE BE FAIR AND IMPROVE OUR TEAM. I am sure you can do it Sir.I SALUTE YOUR HONESTY AND INTEGRETY.
And finally thanks to your contribution to SL cricket. I admired you when you took our team away from the field in Australia. I know you have guts to handle anybody.
Good Luck Sir. WE RESPECT AND LOVE YOU AS A TRUE SRI LANKAN .
Finally Mr.Sanath Jayasuriya THANKS for the wonderful memories .Will Miss you . All the commentators had very HIGH PRAISES for you. You made us Proud.May your Family be BLESSED.
Edited By - felixsrilanka - 29 Feb 2008 15:52:06 |
Su33
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29 Feb 2008 15:57:05 GMT Report for Abuse
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| We are hopeless, especially the batting. its total disaster when we bat. |
TrueFactor
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29 Feb 2008 16:08:13 GMT Report for Abuse
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Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake said that Sri Lanka is the only country that providing all facilities free of charge to terrorists, who are attacking and destroying the country s strategically important economic nerve centers.
Well said!! |
gonnamba
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29 Feb 2008 16:18:38 GMT Report for Abuse
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Srimal,
The power of the red Tshirts he he I had almost forgotten that one... LOL |
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29 Feb 2008 14:40:39 GMT 
29 Feb 2008 14:41:53 GMT