Atapattu ton steers Sri Lanka to victory

Marvan Atapattu scored an unbeaten century to guide Sri Lanka to a confidence-boosting five-wicket win over Australia A in a one-day practice match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday. Atapattu made 101 not out from 139 balls and shared an unbroken 78-run sixth-wicket partnership with Russel Arnold to steer the visitors to victory with eight balls to spare. Arnold made an unbeaten 47 off just 41 balls as the Sri Lankans made 211 for five in reply to Australia A’s modest total of 210-8. Although they beat a second-string Victorian team in a practice match last weekend, Sri Lanka’s win was their first official victory since arriving in Australia last month following a run of five straight losses against Australia A, Australia and England.

Wicketkeeper Ryan Campbell scored 61 from 70 balls to help Australia A rack up 210-8 after the Sri Lankans ripped through the top order to reduce the home side to 137-7.

Campbell and Nathan Hauritz put on 72 at almost a run a ball for the eighth wicket but the Sri Lankans were always in control in reply.