Lankans beat Aussies

Sydney, January 22:

Sri Lankan veteran Sanath Jayasuriya shrugged off jet-lag and a shoulder injury to flay Australia’s attack and set up a comfortable 51-run victory in a one-day triangular series match here on Sunday.

Jayasuriya’s inspirational 114 off 96 balls helped carry Sri Lanka to 309-7 before dismissing Australia for just 258. Jayasuriya smacked four sixes and 10 fours during his 19th century. He and Kumar Sangakkara piled on 163 for the second wicket.

Sangakkara also played a key role, making 78 off 95 balls. Mahela Jayawardene then joined the fray, making a rapid-fire 56 off 46 balls.

Australia’s batsmen fared little better than their bowlers, apart from Michael Clarke who top-scored with 67 runs. Hopes and Brad Haddin also offered useful contributions of 43 and 41 respectively.

For a brief period it looked as though Clarke and the big-hitting Andrew Symonds might stage a rescue operation after they put on 73 for the sixth wicket. For Sri Lanka, super sub Malinga Bandara made the most of the spin-friendly wicket to take four wickets conceding 58 runs in 10 overs.