3rd Test: Australia on verge of series sweep over SL

Wade’s thrilling century puts hosts in commanding position on 3rd day.

SYDNEY:

On a dramatic third day of the third Test, Australia were on the verge of a 3-0 series sweep after reducing Sri Lanka to 225 for seven with a slender lead of 87 at close of play yesterday.

The hosts dominated the morning courtesy of a sparkling unbeaten century from Matthew Wade before declaring at 432 for nine with a first-innings lead of 138 just before lunch.

“It could have gone pear-shaped quickly,” said Wade. “It could have gone the wrong way for us this afternoon but luckily enough our bowlers were good enough and they did well to pull it back.

“We’ve got to take three wickets as quickly as we can because we don’t want to be chasing too many on that wicket.”

Sri Lanka’s Tillakaratne Dilshan departed for five after just half an hour of the Sri Lanka innings but Dimuth Karunaratne soon indicated he was in no mood to capitulate.

The 24-year-old left-hander, playing only his fourth Test, smashed 11 boundaries in his 109-ball knock of 85. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2013.