Australia far too good

Australia cruised to a huge win and a perfect start to the VB Series on the back of a series of dominant half-centuries and a fiery Brett Lee spell at the Telstra Dome.

It was the first time international cricket has been played at Melbourne’s Telstra Dome with the roof open, but the result was much the same as the last matches Australia played at cricket’s only indoor venue – a huge Australian victory.

The run of play was not always with Australia, though. The day began with an even contest, with Sri Lanka even appearing in control at times. The dominant figure of the first 15 overs of the match was Ruchira Perera, who cast aside widespread criticism of his bowling to put in one of the best spells of his short international career. Perera extracted marginal movement in superb batting conditions, and coupled it with accuracy and intelligent bowling to trouble Austrlia’s top order.

It was the much more disappointing Chaminda Vaas who got the first wicket, though, trapping Gilchrist in front as the Australian ‘keeper missed with a midwicket heave. Perera could have had a few breakthroughs, elicting large LBW shouts, while Vaas was surprisingly lacklustre and wayward, giving up runs and looking far from a wicket after his initial strike.

Perera caught Ricky Ponting on the gloves twice with surprising bounce, and when the Australian skipper grew impatient with the tidy bowling and stepped down the wicket he was bowled. Unfortunately for Sri Lanka 2/58 was as good as it got, as a series of fortunate escapes and some excellent batting carried Australia from there into a strong position. First, the in-form Damien Martyn chipped a simple catch to cover off a no-ball, then gave a run-out chance that was missed. From there, Katich and Martyn consolidated, forming a vital half-century stand to build a platform for Australia’s later assault.

When Simon Katich was removed by a Dilshan direct hit for 60, it could have strangled Australia’s initiative, but instead the introduction of Andrew Symonds brought about a ferocious assault on Sri Lanka’s attack. Of particular interest was the ineffectiveness of Muttiah Muralitharan in cutting the run rate, as the champion spinner was clearly targetted by Australia’s middle order and left with unusually poor figures as a result.

Symonds was uncomfortable early in his innings, but he got into the swing of things with a straight six off Murali, and from there never looked back. Even his misfits landed far from fielders or cleared the rope entirely, such as an unlikely heave at a Dilshan ball that was deliberately dropped short which sailed up into the second tier of the stand.

He and the comparitively circumspect Martyn added a century stand for the fourth wicket, setting the scene for a massive total, before both fell in successive overs. Martyn was bowled by a yorker, but Symonds suffered an unlikely fate as a full drive rebounded off Michael Clarke’s pad at the non-striker’s end and allowed Dilshan an easy catch.

Australia’s expert finishers Clarke and Hussey were left with 10 overs at the end to ensure a big total, and despite some good death bowling they managed precisely that. They piled on an unbeaten stand of 80, as Michael Hussey’s batting average continued to rise to mammoth proportions, and Australia looked set to continue their unbeaten streak with a total of 318.

Sri Lanka were always going to require something special to approach such a score, and with big hitting options seemingly lacking from their one-day team, it was hard to imagine a successful chase. Brett Lee put the issue beyond doubt in quick time, removing both openers in a lethal spell of express bowling. He castled Tharanga with a perfect inswinger, and then had Mubarak caught at slip with one that went straight on.

After Lee’s withering assault and McGrath’s accuracy, it was time for Nathan Bracken to do the damage, taking one wicket apiece in two brief spells that cost him just above a single run per over. He first had Sangakkara caught at mid-off, and then removed Dilshan after a long and stubborn partnership between he and the defensive-minded Vandort. Vandort took over 20 overs to make his near-fifty, simply refusing to get out as his teammates had, but in the process batting Sri Lanka well and truly out of contention in the match.

The back-up bowlers for Australia took over the load after the 5th wicket went down, with James Hopes in particular impressing with another economical performance with the ball. Sri Lanka didn’t go out with a bang, they simply slid to an inevitable defeat, with Arnold and Vaas playing out the final overs without incident, despite doing their best to damage Brad Hogg’s match figures.

Australia were victors by 116 runs in the end, securing not only the victory but also the bonus point, and will be looking forward to facing the number two ranked ODI side at home in this series, when they take on South Africa in a couple of days time.

Australia 5/318 (50)
Damien Martyn 70 (64), Andrew Symonds 66 (61)
Ruchira Perera 2/45 (10), Dilhara Fernando 1/60 (10)

Sri Lanka 7/202 (50)
Mahela Jayawardene 50 (47), Michael Vandort 48 (117)
Nathan Bracken 2/11 (8), Brett Lee 2/29 (7)

Australia won by 116 runs

Cricket Web Man of the Match
Andrew Symonds – 66 (61) & 0/20 (4)