Cricinfo







Sri Lanka back on winning track

AFP
5 January 1999



ADELAIDE, Australia, Jan 5 (AFP) - World Cup champions Sri Lanka scored a comfortable 24-run victory over Australia A in a one-day cricket match at Adelaide Oval here late Tuesday.

The Sri Lankans' performance followed their dismal eight-wicket loss to Australia A in Perth at the weekend, when they were routed for 89 in the 26th over, and were beaten again in a make-up 25-over game by five wickets.

A much-improved batting performance allowed Sri Lanka to sail to 227 for seven before bowling Australia A out for 203.

Aravinda De Silva top-scored with 55 after openers Sanath Jayasuriya (46) and Romesh Kaluwitharana (28) had put on a whirlwind 62 for the first wicket.

De Silva and captain Arjuna Ranatunga (38) shared in the best partnership of the innings, 71 for the fifth wicket.

Australia A batsman Damien Martyn racked up a gallant 59, but he did not receive enough support, with Shane Lee's 29 the second best score.

Controversial Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan came on in the 13th over to a cool reception from the crowd, who jeered him at each delivery early in his first spell.

In the 1995 Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Muralitharan was no-balled seven times by Australian umpire Darrell Hair in a three-over period for throwing.

Australia A lost their last five wickets for 38 to give the tourists a morale-boosting victory.

Sri Lanka play one more game against Australia A in Melbourne on Friday before opening their triangular series against England in Brisbane on Monday.



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