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03-Sep-2011 16:05:00 GMT
Sri Lanka v Australia, 1st Test, Galle, 4th day

Australia Beat Sri Lanka by 125 runs in 1st Test

Galle: Fast bowler Ryan Harris claimed five wickets as Australia beat a valiant Sri Lanka by 125 runs in the first Test to take the lead in the three-match series.

Sri Lanka resumed 120 for 5 in their second innings at the Galle International Stadium, needing 259 to win the match.

Mahela Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews did mount a credible resistance, but a successful run chase never seemed likely.

Veteran Jayawardene brought up his 29th Test century before eventually falling for 105, directing an inside edge onto his own stumps off the bowling of Ryan Harris (5-62).

His departure left Sri Lanka 6-210, still 168 runs behind with only four wickets remaining.

The resistance continued in the form of a determined Mathews, but he received little assistance from the lower order.

Suraj Randiv (0) lasted just six balls before fending a Mitchell Johnson (2-56) bouncer to captain Michael Clarke at second slip.

Rangana Herath fared slightly better, making 12 runs off 14 deliveries.

But he too was caught out by the short ball, this time from Harris, with Trent Copeland gladly accepting the offer of a simple catch.

Suranga Lakmal arrived at the crease, with his only goal to help Mathews close in on what would have been a maiden Test century.

It was not to be for the young all-rounder.

Mathews' attempted stroke for a boundary off Shane Watson (2-19) failed to make contact, exposing his stumps to a juicy off cutter and ending the 24-year-old's innings on 95.

Lakmal (five) lasted just one more over until he became the reward for the second-innings toil of debutant Nathan Lyon (1-75), who finally claimed a wicket with the help a catch from Johnson.

It had been Lyon who set-up the victory in Sri Lanka's first innings, as his five-wicket haul, together with the three middle-order scalps claimed by Shane Watson, saw the hosts post just 105, their lowest score in Galle for five years.

Australia's first innings total of 273, thanks largely to Michael Hussey's 95, appeared to be below par.

But it would become apparent the tourists had made the most of a treacherous pitch, as they did again when Clarke's determined 60 helped them to 210 for their second innings.

It was Clarke's first Test win as captain, while his predecessor Ricky Ponting took two catches and contributed 44 runs in the first innings, as he recorded his 100th Test victory for Australia.

Brief scores
Australia
273 (Hussey 95, Herath 3-54) and 210 (Clarke 60, Herath 5-79)
Sri Lanka 105 (Paranavitana 29, Lyon 5-34) and 253 (M Jayawardene 105, Mathews 95, Harris 5-62)
Results Australia won by 125 runs
MOM Miachel Hussey (Australia)


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