Australia v. Sri Lanka - 1st. Test

[Donny]

200 partnership up. Martyn 108 n.o. and Lehmann, 105 n.o.
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Martyn goes to Murali for 110. The partnership was 206.
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The lead is 296 and Lehmann is 114 n.o.

[Donny]

7/498 as Gilly goes for a duck.

Lehmann made 129 and Symonds, 24.

Warne gets stumped for a duck.

I can't understand why there's been no declaration. All they're doing is giving Murali more wickets. Why not have a few overs at them ???

[JLC]

My bet is looking pretty safe Donny......lol

I cant believe the Aussies batted on and are giving Murali cheap wickets......they already have plenty of runs imo.

jlc

[Donny]

It's too late now as a storm is approaching but I think Ponting has been a little cautious and understandably so.

If he was offered a draw after days 1 and 2, he'd have grabbed it.

Now, with a 350 lead it's highly unlikely they'll be beaten and can still win.

[JLC]

It is unlikely that Sri Lanka will score at more than 3 runs an over especially with an in form Warne in the team.

Since when does Australia play for draws ?? They could still win but an hour at the Sri Lankans tonight would have been more than handy.

jlc

[Canberra]

Just declared. Sri Lanka require 352 to win.

[commonwombat]

Gentlemen (and others).

Lets just consider for a moment, how many likely wicket-takers Ponting will have to work with.

I can only see 2, Warne and Gillespie. Kasprowicz looks to be out of action, McGill is more likely to be despatched into neighbouring electorates than take wickets and others are essentially part-timers.

IF the Aussies are going to win, it looks v likely that their 2 effective bowlers will be bowled into the ground. Methinks Ponting has done the sensible thing under the circumstances and made sure his team's bottom line is as safe as possible.

[JLC]

A fifth day wicket in Sri Lanka against that batting line up??

You have Symonds who was picked for his bowling, the greatest leg spinner in the world and MacGill the highest wicket taker last year and Dizzy.

I think 250 would have been enough 300 max

jlc

[Donny]

Hey, wombat. You're a bit harsh on MacGilla. He didn't go for 13 r.p.o. or even 5, in the first innings.

Sri Lanka had an innings run rate of 3. MacGill took 1/69 from 22 overs.

Of course Warne and Gillespie are the frontliners but we're only talking 90 overs here. No-one's going to be bowled into the ground. If they bowl the 90, Warney will bowl about 35, Dizzy about 20, MacG about 20 and Symonds the rest. No problems. 5 for Warne, 3 for Dizzy (or the other way round) and 1 each for the others.

I tend to agree with JLC and that's a rarity in itself.

[Donny]

Kaspa's on deck and opened the bowling.
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And strikes !! Sangakkara out l.b.w. to a beautiful ball as Kaspa takes his 50th. Test wicket.

[Donny]

1/34 after 17 overs.

[JLC]

Warne has taken the wicket of Attapatu

I think Warne may run through the line up

jlc

[Donny]

2/13 from 6 for Warney as he beats Dilshan all ends up. S.L. 3/49.
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Spot on, JLC. Another for Warney. 499.
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MacGill joins the party. Beautiful wrong un. Jayasuriya out. 5/56.

[JLC]

Let the 500th be the wicket of Murali.........how great would that be

jlc

[Macgyver]

Lunch day 5

Lets hope Warnie gets the 500 soon.

JLC it would be great for Warnie to get Murali that would really piss the little prick off.