Sports

2nd Test: Australia on top despite Sanga’s milestone

Hosts just 6 runs behind Sri Lanka’s 156 on opening day.

Afp December 27, 2012

Seamer Mitchell Johnson, recalled to the side after being dumped for Australia’s first-Test victory in Hobart, finished with a brilliant figure of four off 63 and captured his 200th Test wicket. PHOTO: AFP

MELBOURNE: While his teammates withered in the glare of the Boxing Day spotlight, master batsman Kumar Sangakkara was the one beacon among the overwhelming gloom for Sri Lanka at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Australia skittled Sri Lanka out for 156 and trailed by just six runs at stumps after an eventful opening day saw 13 wickets fall in the second Test. The home side were in command as they were 150 for three at the close yesterday.

Sangakkara joined the 10,000 runs club (in his 195th Test innings) and Mitchell Johnson claimed his 200th Test wicket before the Australia batsmen made Sri Lanka pay for their paltry first innings total made off just 43.4 overs

“We’re definitely in a strong position,” said Johnson. “Now we’ve just got to move forward as we have a big day ahead.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2012.