Aussies warm up for first Test

[Donny]

Punter to match greats: Langer

Fox


RICKY PONTING has the ability to become one of Australia's most successful cricket captains, according to opener Justin Langer.

Langer, a big fan of retired captain Steve Waugh, said Ponting has the ability to achieve as much as Waugh and more.

"I think Ricky could become one of the best captains ever," Langer said ahead of the three-day tour match starting here today.

He said Ponting, who will captain the Australian Test team for the first time next week in Galle, has many of the characteristics that made Waugh a great leader as well as being a peerless batsman.

"My gut feeling is that they're going to be very similar as captains.

"They both lead by example on the field.

"They're tough as old boots and I can't see their captaincy styles being much different.

"And Punter, in my view, is the best batsman in the world at the moment in Test cricket."

Langer said the changes in the team over the past two months with Waugh leaving and Shane Warne coming back from his drug ban wouldn't be too disruptive as Ponting plans for his first Test as skipper starting on March 8 in Galle.

He said the fuss around Warne is nothing new.

"I've had 10 years of it. Ever since I've been been playing Warney's been around. Call it what you like, a Warney circus ... we've had the Tugga (Waugh's retirement) one for the last couple of months," he said of the attention foisted upon the two stars.

Langer admitted he will miss Waugh.

"He's been around for the whole 10 years I've been playing, so it's different.

"But at the same time I've got other really good mates in the side. It's different not having Stephen, it's different not having Mark Waugh, it's been different not having Warney, it's different not having Glenn McGrath around.

"That's just the natural progression of playing with the Australian cricket team."

Langer doesn't expect to need much time to adapt to the sluggish nature of Sri Lankan pitches, saying he has enough cricket nous to take his game anywhere.

"My game's developed so much over the years.

"We play county cricket and (matches) all around the world and in different states.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge of playing spin bowlers here again.

I think the reality is now, for me personally, it doesn't really matter where you play – whether it's the WACA or the subcontinent or wherever. When you get to a point in your career, you know your game, you know what you've got to do.

"Even if we had to go and play a Test match tomorrow without a lead-up game, you'd feel pretty confident to go and do that.

"That's the whole thing about experience. You just learn your game so well."

[Donny]

Katich under hammer

By Malcolm Conn - Fox


THE series-saving century Simon Katich scored in Australia's last Test may not be enough to keep him in the side if the Andrew Symonds juggernaut continues to gather momentum.

Katich and Symonds will both play in a three-day tour match, beginning today, that must have a huge bearing on the structure of the side for the three-Test series, starting in Galle on Monday.

Despite a plea from new Test captain Ricky Ponting that this game not be considered a bat-off or a bowl-off for places, the competition is intense and the possibilities numerous.

"You could pick six or seven different teams," Ponting admitted yesterday after training.

"You could stack it with fast bowlers, stack it with spin, or make a mix of both."

Symonds, man of the one-day series, has charged into contention to play as a batting all-rounder with his off-spin, although that may be a component of his game which could be overrated for Test level.

The brutality of his batting cannot be ignored - 211 runs at 105.5 and a strike rate of 85 - means Symonds has already seen and conquered the Sri Lankan spinners, albeit in an entirely different arena. He also claimed five wickets in the five games.

"We know just by the way he plays, he's going to put pressure on their spinners, and he's bowled pretty well. He's been our most dangerous and economical bowler at times," Ponting said.

Damien Martyn will be in the Test side after he was rested with other certainties Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist and Jason Gillespie.

Recently arrived Test squad players Justin Langer, Darren Lehmann, Shane Warne, Stuart MacGill and Wade Seccombe are all playing in the tour match, with Lehmann expected to slot straight into the Test No.5 position vacated by Steve Waugh.

Lehmann has not played international cricket since October following an achilles tendon tear but is fresh from scoring 237 for South Australia little more than a week ago. At 34, his experience and ability to play spin are considered invaluable.

This puts an unexpected squeeze on Katich at No.6 despite his wonderful return to Test cricket.

Chosen from left field for the second Test against Zimbabwe in Sydney to replace the injured Lehmann, Katich scored a polished 52 then bowled Australia to victory with his part-time left-arm wrist spin, claiming six second innings wickets.

He also charmed five wickets in the four Tests against India and was outstanding with the bat, scoring 353 runs at 70.6. His 125 and 77 not out in Sydney forced a drawn Test and series when Australia were in danger of losing.

To leave someone out with such outstanding recent form and credentials would be harsh indeed, but the No.6 spot is the only position Symonds could reasonably expect to play. His bowling is not good enough for him to drop any lower in the order.

Of the four front-line bowling spots, only two are certain and one will go to Warne, who has not played a Test for more than 15 months due to injury/suspension.

Gillespie will lead the attack but after that the field is wide open.

Australia: Justin Langer, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting (c), Darren Lehmann, Andrew Symonds, Wade Seccombe, Brett Lee, Shane Warne, Michael Kasprowicz, Brad Williams, Stuart MacGill.

[Donny]

Dilhara Fernando to make comeback

Wisden Cricinfo staff


Dilhara Fernando has been named in the 14-man Sri Lanka Cricket President's XI squad for the warm-up match against the Australians today. Fernando gets a chance to prove his fitness ahead of the first Test in Galle.

Fernando's career has been plagued by injuries and this time he's returning after recovering from a stress fracture in his back, the second time in a year. Fernando regained his place in the team for the third Test against England but broke down weeks later in the Provincial tournament.

The President's XI, which will be led by Russel Arnold, also includes Rangana Herath, the left-arm spinner, and legspinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi. Both bowlers are in contention for a place in the Test squad.

The three-day practice match will also mark Shane Warne's return to the Australian side. It will be played from March 2 at the Colombo Cricket Club. The first Test starts on March 8 in Galle.

Sri Lanka Cricket President's XI Squad
1 Russel Arnold (capt), 2 Avishka Gunawardana, 3 Saman Jayantha, 4 Sajith Fernando, 5 Thilan Samaraweera, 6 Lanka de Silva (wk), 7 Gayan Wijekoon, 8 Kaushal Lokuarachchi, 9 Rangana Herath, 10 Dilhara Fernando, 11 Ruchira Perera, 12 Omesh Wijesiriwardene, 13 Dhammika Sudarshana, 14 Muthumudalige Pushpakumara.

[Donny]

I remember when we all first tried to pronounce Muralitharan.

Try these: Omesh Wijesiriwardene, Kaushal Lokuarachchi and Muthumudalige Pushpakumara.

Good luck.

[Donny]

The Aussies were sent in and are 0/58 with Ponting on 35 n.o. and Langer, 17 n.o.

[Donny]

Batting practice for Aussies

Fox


JUSTIN Langer grafted while Australian captain Ricky Ponting continued his great form in the opening session of the three-day tour match at the Colombo Cricket Club.

Australia, after losing the toss, was 0-110 at lunch with Ponting on 60 and Langer 30.

While the Australian selectors hope to clear up doubt over the make-up of the Test side, they can rest easy that their new captain will carry plenty of good form into his first match in charge.

Ponting has now made six consecutive half-centuries on this tour.

He reached his half-century this morning off 64 balls with nine fours.

While he was untroubled, Langer never really got going as he played for time in the middle rather than runs.

The West Australian survived a dropped catch when he was on two, Russel Arnold putting him down at second slip off the bowling of Omesh Jiesiriwardena.

There were two or three loud appeals for leg before wicket against him and he almost played on against left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.

But he survived until lunch, taking the bulk of the strike – 94 balls to Ponting's 68 – and hit three boundaries.

Injury-hit Sri Lankan pace bowler missed another chance to press for inclusion in the Test team when he was forced to pull out of the President's XI.

The well-performed quick has been plagued by injuries and was trying to return after suffering a stress fracture in his back.

He'd regained his place in the team for the third Test against England but broke down again weeks later in the Sri Lankan inter-provincial tournament.

The home side features Herath and legspinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi who are both in contention for a place in the Test squad.

[Donny]

Centuries to Ponting, Lehmann and Katich

Fox

TWIN centuries to middle order rivals Simon Katich and Darren Lehmann have only added to Australia's first Test selection headaches after the opening day of the tour match against a Sri lanka Cricket President's XI at the Colombo Cricket Club.

Katich made 116 off 118 balls with 17 fours and two sixes, continuing the brilliant form he showed the last time he donned whites for his country while Lehmann slugged an entertaining 134 off 143 balls with 19 fours.

The centuries, along with another to captain Ricky Ponting, helped Australia to a monstrous 6-484 on the first day.

Katich, Lehmann and Andrew Symonds are in a three-way race for the No.5 and No.6 batting spots for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle next week.

Symonds is looming as a likely inclusion, meaning Lehmann and Katich are effectively going head-to-head for the No.5 spot vacated by retired skipper Steve Waugh.

Physique aside, Katich and Lehmann have plenty in common.

The left-handers have excellent credentials to take on Sri Lanka in this part of the world – each is adept against spinners and each offers excellent part-time spin bowling.

With the selectors renowned for their loyalty, Lehmann possibly has the selection edge on Katich, who got his most recent call-up only when Lehmann tore a calf muscle against Zimbabwe.

But Katich played two match-saving innings of 125 and 77 not out in the final Test against India at the SCG. In six Tests he's averaging 60 while Lehmann is averaging 49.75 from his 15 Tests.

Katich was all class today, threading the ball through slender gaps and, apart from one chance, on 67 when he was dropped at second slip, he was impeccable.

And he wasn't afraid to go over the top, with his first six bringing an early tea adjournment when the ball got lost in a property bordering the ground.

Lehmann, in contrast, batted like a man having fun rather than someone under pressure for a Test spot.peTowards the end of his innings he showed reckless disregard for the coaching manual, taking guard more than a metre outside leg stump. At one stage he was so far away from the stumps he was almost off the pitch.

He employed the reverse sweep, danced well down the pitch to all the bowlers, even the pacemen, and brought a cavalier feel to the innings with some inventive shot-making.peAnd Symonds did nothing to spurn his growing fan-base, smacking a quick 45 not out.

"It's been a good work-out for Simon Katich and Darren Lehmann, with both being impressive," Ponting said.

He looked forward to taking the field tomorrow when Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill would get a chance to show their wares.

"It looks like the wicket will take a fair bit of turn late in the game which will be good for our bowlers.

"It will also be a useful exercise should we bat a second time because it's those conditions that we will need to be ready for come the Test matches."

Ponting is one man who doesn't have to worry about selection or form.

After four successive half-centuries in the one-dayers and a 57 not out in the opening tour match, has now made 417 runs in six matches on tour.

He made 116 before he was stumped by de Silva off the bowling off Rangana Herath, who also claimed the wicket of Justin Langer (35), the the opener going in humbling fashion when he was bowled by a ball he let go from the left-arm spinner.

[Donny]

Awesome spell by Lee

By Michael Donaldson Fox


SHANE Warne bowled his first over for Australia in more than 13 months as Brett Lee signalled his Test readiness with an awesome opening spell in Australia's tour match at the Colombo Cricket Club.

Warne bowled just one over, spinning the ball sharply and making two strong shouts for leg before wicket against Rangana Herath.

It was Warne's first bowling for his country since January 25 last year – in the final match of the VB series.

After that he was sensationally banned form all cricket for 12 months for a doping offence.

With the Australian quicks doing so much damage there wasn't room for Warne to enter the attack until just one over before before lunch, with skipper Ricky Ponting choosing Stuart MacGill to bowl ahead of Warne.

Lee took two wickets in his first over, including one with the first ball of the innings after Australia declared at its overnight score of 6-484 against the Sri Lanka Cricket President's XI, which went to lunch at 7-135.

Lee trapped Russel Arnold leg before wicket with his first ball and three balls later removed Saman Jayantha, clean-bowling him with a yorker as the home side was reduced to 2-0.

The carnage continued when Michael Kasprowicz bowled Sanjit Fernando before Lee removed Thilan Samaraweera, caught at second slip by Ponting.

Samaraweera averages 67.17 in Test cricket and was one of Sri Lanka's stars in December's series triumph over England but he was all at sea against Lee.

Lee went on to finish with 4-29 off his opening seven over spell while Kasprowicz had 2-46 from his seven overs.

MacGill (1-23) joined the fray when he claimed fellow legspinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi, caught behind by Seccombe.

The only Sri Lanka batsman to offer any resistance was opener Avishka Gunawardena, who went to lunch unbeaten on 59, having hit 13 boundaries.

[Donny]

All out 166. MacGill took 3/43 and Warne, 1/21.

In the Aussies second innings, Langer made 63 and Symmo, 119 n.o. in the 4/250 total.

[Donny]

Aussies win but Lee injured

By Michael Donaldson - Fox

BRETT Lee's place in the Australia's first Test team was up in the air tonight after the fast bowler was taken to hospital for scans on an injured ankle.

Lee broke down in his fourth over on the final morning of the tour match against a President's XI at the Colombo Cricket Club and was taken to hospital for scans to determine the cause of ankle pain.

The scans showed no structural damage to the joint but Lee was still in pain late in the day.

While Lee's place in the team for the first Test in Galle starting on Monday was in jeopardy, there was some relief as Shane Warne proved he was fit and ready for a long stint at the crease in what will be his first Test in 15 months.

Warne finished with 2-79 off 23 overs while fellow legspinner Stuart MacGill cleaned up the tail to finish with 3-57 off 11 overs.

Lee's injury is to the same left ankle which was operated on to remove bone spurs last year.

The fast bowler hobbled from the field after bowling only 3.4 overs, having just claimed a wicket, and Darren Lehmann had to finish his remaining two balls.

Team physiotherapist Alex Kountouri will monitor the injury over the next few days but as yet a diagnosis hasn't been made.

Kountouri said Lee felt stiff and sore after Wednesday's bowling stint and after feeling some soreness in the ankle today left the field.

"We agreed it was in his best interest to bring him off the ground," Kountouri said.

"Over the next day or so we'll continue to ice the ankle, investigate the problem further before having another look at him over the weekend."

With Australia travelling by bus to Galle tomorrow in preparation for Monday's first Test, Lee doesn't have much time to recover if the injury proves more serious than first thought.

Kountouri said that as long as Lee was pain-free on Monday he would be cleared to play.

While Lee was taken for scans his team-mates battled for wickets on a hot afternoon before the President's XI was eventually rolled for 323 in 85.2 overs as Australia won the match by 245 runs.

Australia used eight bowlers on a dead wicket, with only wicketkeeper Wade Seccombe, captain Ricky Ponting and opener Justin Langer spared.

International batsman Thilan Samaraweera had an excellent workout for the first Test when he made an even 50 and featured in a stand of 101 for the fifth wicket with wicketkeeper Lanka de Silva.

Samaraweera, a rising Test star who averages 67 with the bat, spent two hours getting his eye in against Australia's best spinners.

He was eventually dismissed from the first ball of Michael Kasprowicz's second spell, edging to first slip where Warne took a good catch.

Wicketkeeper Lanka De Silva made 92 before he was brilliantly caught at short cover by Justin Langer off Lehmann's bowling.

Warne and MacGill were largely ineffective after the lunch break, but of more interest to the Australian selectors is the fact Warne was able to bowl two spells of 15 and eight overs without tiring.

Ponting also gave Katich and Symonds a chance to press their bowling claims as they duel for Test selection.

Neither made an impact, Katich taking 0-38 from eight overs while Symonds took the last wicket to finish with 1-27.

AUSTRALIA FIRST INNINGS 6(dec)-484
PRESIDENT'S XI FIRST INNINGS 166
AUSTRALIA SECOND INNINGS (declared at overnight total)

J LANGER lbw Fernando 63
W SECCOMBE lbw b Perera 6
A SYMONDS not out 119
S WARNE lbw b Lokuarachchi 31
B LEE c Samaraweera b Lokuarachchi 2
M KASPROWICZ not out 15
Sundries (2b 9lb 2nb 1w) 14
Four wickets declared for 250
Fall: 9, 148, 202, 208.
Bowling: R Perera 9-1-46-1 (1nb), O Wijesiriwardena 8-3-20-0 (1nb), R Herath 16-0-83-0 (1w), S Fernando 5-0-26-1, G Wijekoon 2-0-13-0, L Lokuarchchi 11-1-51-2.
Batting time: 218 minutes. Overs: 51.

PRESIDENT'S XI SECOND INNINGS

R ARNOLD c Williams b Warne 25
A GUNAWARDENA c Katich b Lee 11
S JAYANTHA c Seccombe b MacGill 45
S FERNANDO c Symonds b Williams 10
T SAMARAWEERA c Warne b Kasprowicz 50
L DE SILVA c Langer b Lehmann 92
G WIJEKOON c Seccombe b MacGill 67
L LOKUARACHCHI c Seccombe b Warne 11
R HERATH c Kasprowicz b Symonds 4
O WIJESIRIWARDENE c Katich b MacGill 0
R PERERA not out 0
Sundries (2b 3lb 3nb) 8
Total 323
Fall: 30, 53, 66, 108, 209, 278, 323, 323, 323.
Bowling: B Lee 3.4-0-18-1 (1nb), M Kasprowicz 10-1-43-1, D Lehmann 9.2-2-25-1, S Warne 23-5-79-2 (2nb), B Williams 10-3-31-1, S MacGill 13-1-57-3, S Katich 8-0-38-0, A Symonds 8.2-0-27-1.
Batting time: 311 minutes. Overs: 85.2.
Result: Australia won by 245 runs.