Tags:
Journalism of Courage
SYDNEY, JAN 13: Adam Gilchrist out-duelled Sanath Jayasuriya in the battle of the aggressive left-handed openers, as Australia posted a record score to win an entertaining battle at the SCG. Gilchrist is quickly gaining a reputation similar to Jayasuriya as an attacking opener, capable of destroying the best fast bowlers and he has played a big part in Australia’s One Day resurgence.
This was a match that promised much right from the toss, with two extremely competitive captains who have had clashed before and in a game that both teams needed to win. There was a chance some needle would creep into the match.
It was Sri Lanka who took the early honours with Jayasuriya coming back to his dashing best. He took to the swing bowling of Damien Fleming, belting early boundaries to both sides of the wicket and forcing Shane Warne to make an early change and bring on left-armer Brendon Julian. Julian did beat Jayasuriya a few times outside off-stump but in between he continued to pile up boundaries and reached fifty for the first time in a One Day game against Australia. Eventually Julian did the job and had the dasher caught behind but not before he’d piloted Sri Lanka to 95 in the first 15 overs.
At the other end Romesh Kaluwitharana who is playing with more maturity on this tour, swept Warne a couple of times to the boundary, before he missed a full length delivery and was bowled behind his legs. Warne had bravely kept seeking wickets even when the runs were coming quickly and he was rewarded with a second victim in Marvan Atapattu. The leg-spinner flighted the over-spinner a little more, deceiving Atapattu and his drive finished in the hands of Mark Waugh at short cover.
That brought two left-handers together. Hashan Tillekeratne and Arjuna Ranatunga manoeuvred the ball deftly into the gaps and their surprisingly swift running brought some bonuses with overthrows and ricochets. However, the third umpire put an end to their fun when he adjudged Ranatunga run out on some very flimsy evidence. This setback didn’t deter Tillekeratne who is enjoying the responsibility of batting higher in the order and went on to post his second successive half-century. He received some assistance from Chaminda Vaas who hit well in the final overs and Australia’s target was a difficult 260, a record score to win a One Day international at the SCG.
After a sighter of two maiden overs, Adam Gilchrist set about reducing the enormity of the task in a hurry. He matched Jayasuriya with his strokeplay and even exceeded him when he scorched a magnificent six over mid-wicket. That shot was off Muttiah Muralitharan who suffered at the hands of both batsmen as Mark Waugh started to hit his stride and Australia raced past the century. Gilchrist only made the one mistake and even that was a fiercely hit sweep shot which burst through the mid-wicket fielders hands. He was 68 at the time and even though he lost Mark Waugh, out for a typically elegant 63, Gilchrist continued on his merry way to a century, brought up with another huge six over mid-wicket. It was Gilchrist’s fourth century in less than a year since he has moved to the top of the order and has justified the selectors gamble in replacing Ian Healy.
At this point Australia were coasting to victory and unlike Warne who kept looking for wickets, Ranatunga failed to put enough risk in the run scoring. He eventually turned to his two main strike bowlers in an attempt to try and turn things around and Chaminda Vaas responded by dismissing Gilchrist for his highest limited overs score. From the Sri there were no further alarms as he steadily picked off the runs and then with his confidence growing hit a huge six over mid-on. Ponting remained 43 not out in a moral boosting return to form as Australia beat the encroaching storm to win with 23 balls to spare. It was a good win and a much needed one for Australia, gained through brilliant batting and some courageous captaincy by Warne.
SCOREBOARD
Sri Lanka: S Jayasuriya c Gilchrist b Julian 65, R Kaluwitharana b Warne 32, M Atapattu c M Waugh b Warne 18, H Tillekeratne run out 73, A Ranatunga run out 26, M Jayawardene c Gilchrist b Julian 11, U Chandana b Fleming 2, R Mahanama c Gilchrist b McGrath 5, C Vaas not out 13, M Muralitharan run out 0. Extras (b2, lb2, w5, nb5): 14.
Total (for nine wickets, 50 overs): 259.
Fall Of Wickets: 1-95, 2-106, 3-130, 4-183, 5-214, 6-217, 7-226, 8-258, 9-259.
Bowling: McGrath 10-0-39-1, Fleming 10-0-61-1, Blewett 2-0-23-0, Julian 8-0-42-2, Warne 10-1-44-2, Bevan 5-0-26-0, Martyn 5-0-20-0.
Australia: M Waugh c sub b Muralitharan 63, A Gilchrist c Atapattu b Vaas 131, R Ponting not out 43, D Martyn not out 16. Extras (lb3, w4): 7.
Total (for two, 46.1 overs) 260
Fall Of Wickets: 1-151, 2-225.
Bowling: Vaas 6-1-43-1, Wickramasinghe 7-1-36-0, Muralitharan 10-0-49-1, Jayawardene 7-0-40-0, Chandana 9-0-61-0, Jayasuriya 7.1-0-28-0.
