3rd Test: Sri Lanka falter despite strong start

Tourists cleaned up for 294 on first day against Australia.

SYDNEY: Lahiru Thirimanne and skipper Mahela Jayawardene missed centuries as injury-hit Sri Lanka slumped to 294 all out after a strong start to the third Sydney Test against Australia yesterday.

Thirimanne, who only arrived in Australia this week to cover for the injured Kumar Sangakkara, threw away a chance of a first Test hundred when his flashing miscue off Nathan Lyon was brilliantly caught by David Warner.

“I am really disappointed I could not get a century today,” said Thirimanne. “This was a great opportunity for me after a long break from Test cricket. It would have been a perfect comeback. But I feel I batted really well so at the end of the day I am really happy with my performance.”

Jayawardene scored his first away Test half-century in more than three years but was caught at slip on 72.

The tourists were all out shortly before stumps on the opening day. Paceman Jackson Bird took four for 41 off 19.4 overs and recalled Mitchell Starc bagged three wickets.

“It was nice to get a few wickets early,” said Bird. “It was tough work out there, but I thought we stuck at it pretty well towards the end of the day and we got the rewards in that last session. We need a good start today, it’s a beautiful wicket to bat on and hopefully the boys can dig in for that first hour.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2013.