Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Leg spinner Shane Warne moved to within two wickets of Courtney Walsh8217;s world record of 519 as Australia completed a series whitewash with a 121-run victory over Sri Lanka in the third and final Test on Sunday. Warne, with figures of 4-92 in 33 overs, helped Australia dismiss Sri Lanka for 248 eight balls before the scheduled close on the fifth and final day. Sri Lanka had resumed in the morning on 18 without loss in pursuit of an improbable 370 to win.
Warne, locked in a race with Sri Lanka8217;s Muttiah Muralitharan to Walsh8217;s mark, had toiled wicketless in the first two sessions before picking up four scalps after tea. The 34-year-old, playing his first series since a 12-month drugs ban, lifted his career tally to 517 but is likely to be pipped by Muralitharan in their wicket chase in May. Muralitharan, who ended the series against Australia with 28 wickets for a career haul of 513, will have a good opportunity to eclipse Walsh when Sri Lanka play two Tests in Zimbabwe, starting on May 6.
Warne could then overtake Muralitharan as Australia visit Zimbabwe later that month, also for a two-Test tour.
Brief scores
Australia:
401 and 375
Sri Lanka: 407 and 248 Jayasuriya 51, T.Samaraweera 53, M.Jayawardene 37, T.Dilshan 31, Kasprowicz 2-37, Warne 4-92, Lehmann 3-42
