Aussies wrap up Test series against Lankans
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
HOBART, Nov 20 (AFP): Australia defeated Sri Lanka by 96 runs soon after lunch on the final day of the second cricket Test at Bellerive Oval here Tuesday.
Australia wrapped up the series 2-0 after winning the first Brisbane Test by an innings and 40 runs.
It was Australia's 14th consecutive Test victory with the sequence beginning against South Africa in Melbourne in December 2005.
Sri Lanka, resuming at 247 for three and needing 260 runs for victory with seven wickets in hand, effectively lost the game when they lost six wickets before lunch.
Muttiah Muralitharan was the last wicket to fall, bowled by Brett Lee for 15.
Fast bowler Lasith Malinga was unbeaten on 42, which included three sixes off medium-pacer Stuart Clark.
Kumar Sangakkara was his team's shining light finishing with 192, the highest score by a Sri Lankan in Australia since Aravinda de Silva's 167 in Brisbane in 1989.
The Australians hold the record of most successive Test wins with 16 under the captaincy of Steve Waugh from October 1999 to February 2001.
Lee, the man of the match in Brisbane, was again the outstanding player for Australia, taking 4-82 in the first innings and 4-87 in the second innings.
Australia's next Test will be the first of four home matches against India in Melbourne on Boxing Day.
Australia wrapped up the series 2-0 after winning the first Brisbane Test by an innings and 40 runs.
It was Australia's 14th consecutive Test victory with the sequence beginning against South Africa in Melbourne in December 2005.
Sri Lanka, resuming at 247 for three and needing 260 runs for victory with seven wickets in hand, effectively lost the game when they lost six wickets before lunch.
Muttiah Muralitharan was the last wicket to fall, bowled by Brett Lee for 15.
Fast bowler Lasith Malinga was unbeaten on 42, which included three sixes off medium-pacer Stuart Clark.
Kumar Sangakkara was his team's shining light finishing with 192, the highest score by a Sri Lankan in Australia since Aravinda de Silva's 167 in Brisbane in 1989.
The Australians hold the record of most successive Test wins with 16 under the captaincy of Steve Waugh from October 1999 to February 2001.
Lee, the man of the match in Brisbane, was again the outstanding player for Australia, taking 4-82 in the first innings and 4-87 in the second innings.
Australia's next Test will be the first of four home matches against India in Melbourne on Boxing Day.