Sri Lanka, rain frustrate Australia
Second Test drawn as tourists lead three-match series 1-0.
PALLEKELE:
Resolute Sri Lankan batting and bad weather frustrated Australia’s bid for a series-clinching win as the second Test ended in a draw in Pallekele.
Just 35.3 overs were bowled on the final day, in which Sri Lanka moved from their overnight score of 223 for two to 317 for six in the second-innings, an overall lead of 80 with four wickets in hand.
“It was a disappointing end,” said Clarke, who is leading Australia for the first time in a full Test series. “We lost almost 100 overs in the match and that was frustrating. If we had a full day’s play, we had a very good chance to win. I was really happy with the way we bowled.
Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan said he was delighted at his team’s batting in the second knock.
“We finally batted well after three bad innings in the series and that gives us a lot of confidence going into the final Test,” said Dilshan, adding that he did not believe that Australia were guaranteed a win before the rain hit.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 13th, 2011.
Resolute Sri Lankan batting and bad weather frustrated Australia’s bid for a series-clinching win as the second Test ended in a draw in Pallekele.
Just 35.3 overs were bowled on the final day, in which Sri Lanka moved from their overnight score of 223 for two to 317 for six in the second-innings, an overall lead of 80 with four wickets in hand.
“It was a disappointing end,” said Clarke, who is leading Australia for the first time in a full Test series. “We lost almost 100 overs in the match and that was frustrating. If we had a full day’s play, we had a very good chance to win. I was really happy with the way we bowled.
Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan said he was delighted at his team’s batting in the second knock.
“We finally batted well after three bad innings in the series and that gives us a lot of confidence going into the final Test,” said Dilshan, adding that he did not believe that Australia were guaranteed a win before the rain hit.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 13th, 2011.