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Lanka down Tasmania on a faster run rate

Ricky Ponting, bidding for a place in Australia's one-day team, stroked a brilliant 99 for Tasmania in their rain-disrupted limited overs match against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

Ponting was dismissed off the last ball of the Tasmanian innings going for his century as the home side reached 230 for five off their 50 overs.

TARGET REDUCED

Sri Lanka's target was reduced to 227 from 48 overs after the first rain interruption and they looked to be heading for a comfortable victory when they were again forced off the field after reaching 220 for five from 45.2 overs.

The match was called off with the umpires declaring the tourists winners by one run on a faster scoring rate. Aravinda de Silva top scored with 67.

The Sri Lankans, who last month beat Pakistan in a one-day series, sent the Tasmanians in to bat after winning the toss and seemed to have made the right decision after the home side lost openers Micheal DiVenuto for three and Dene Hills for 33.

ALL-ROUNDER

But Ponting and all-rounder Shaun Young turned the innings around, adding 147 runs before Young was bowled by Kumar Dharmasena for 76 which included a six and five fours.

Tasmania were helped by some untidy fielding from the tourists, which included an off-target throw from captain Arjuna Ranatunga when Young should have been run out.

Left-arm fast bowler Chaminda Vaas was brought in for his first match of the tour and after initially having problems with his rhythm, he snared his first wicket when Tasmanian captain Rod Tucker was caught behind for one in his eighth over.

====> more Sri Lanka score thrilling one run win over Tasmania Bernie Wijesekera reporting from Tasmania, Australia

After two defeats at the hands of Queensland it's nice to bounce back, said manager Duleep Mendis. I am not worried about the outcome as this is a side game. If it was not marred by rain the boys could have got more practice he added. Mendis said that Hashan Tillekaratne was rested due to a muscle strain. Chaminda Vaas playing in his first match on the tour bowled to a line to capture 1 for 38 in nine overs while Kumar Dharmesena too impressed with 1 for 36 in ten overs. Sri Lankas captain Ranatunga winning the toss invited Tasmania to bat first. Tasmania made 230 for 5 in fifty overs. The feature of the innings was a attractive 147 run stand for the 3 rd wicket by dashing young Aussie test prospect Ricky Ponting 99 (in 135 balls with 5 fours) and all rounder Shaun Young 76 (in 92 balls with 5 fours and a six) saw them reach this target. Ponting with charm and aggression was out in the last ball of the innings stumped by Kaluwithana off the bowilg of Jayasuriya.

Sri Lanka set to make 219 in 45 overs made 220 for 5. The feature of the innings was the 112 run stand for the 4 th wicket between Aravinda de Silva 67 (in 85 balls with 5 fours) and the the profilic run grtter of the tour Arjuna Ranatunga 46 not out (in 68 balls with a four). Aravinda returned to form with an responsible innings to boost the morale of the side. Roshan Mahanama 22, Sanath jayasuriya 21, S Ranatunga 22 and Hathurusinghe 16 were among the runs for Sri Lanka.

Tasmania 230 for 5 in 50 overs

Sri Lanka 219 for 5 in 45 overs

Match reduced to 45 overs due to rain interruptions in the Sri Lanka innings Sri Lanka won the game.