ADELAIDE, Australia, Jan 5 (AFP) - World Cup champions Sri Lanka
scored a comfortable 24-run victory over Australia A in a one-day
cricket match at Adelaide Oval here late Tuesday.
The Sri Lankans' performance followed their dismal eight-wicket loss
to Australia A in Perth at the weekend, when they were routed for 89
in the 26th over, and were beaten again in a make-up 25-over game by
five wickets.
A much-improved batting performance allowed Sri Lanka to sail to 227
for seven before bowling Australia A out for 203.
Aravinda De Silva top-scored with 55 after openers Sanath Jayasuriya
(46) and Romesh Kaluwitharana (28) had put on a whirlwind 62 for the
first wicket.
De Silva and captain Arjuna Ranatunga (38) shared in the best
partnership of the innings, 71 for the fifth wicket.
Australia A batsman Damien Martyn racked up a gallant 59, but he did
not receive enough support, with Shane Lee's 29 the second best score.
Controversial Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan came on in
the 13th over to a cool reception from the crowd, who jeered him at
each delivery early in his first spell.
In the 1995 Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground,
Muralitharan was no-balled seven times by Australian umpire Darrell
Hair in a three-over period for throwing.
Australia A lost their last five wickets for 38 to give the tourists a
morale-boosting victory.
Sri Lanka play one more game against Australia A in Melbourne on
Friday before opening their triangular series against England in
Brisbane on Monday.
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