The CB Series saw the real action begin in true blue Aussie style in the 3rd ODI between Australia and Sri Lanka after a couple of wash-outs forced by torrential rainshowers earlier in the series. Aussies registered a dramatic 128-run victory over Sri Lanka in the match brought about by a nerve-wracking performance from kangaroos at the SCG (Sydney Cricket Ground) on Friday, February 8, 2008, which also gained Australia bonus point over the opponent side.
Australia won the toss to begin with and opted to go in with the bat in accordance with their aggressive approach. Gilchrist and Hayden started off like batting speedsters and finished off much in the same manner, which afforded Australia in the process. Sri Lankans faced greater aggression from the willow of Hayden early in the innings, which perhaps spurred Amerasinghe to come up with some exclusive bowling stuff to end a great innings. Australia, as usual, looked anything but troubled when Ponting walked in but soon he started having difficulties against Vaas who did him in earlier than expected by anyone. Gilchrist, however, continued in much the same fashion with Clarke kept working on a beautiful innings at the other end.
This blossoming partnership, nevertheless, proved only good enough to touch the half-century mark before Gilchrist was struck plumb in front of the wickets by Kapugedera to bring Sri Lanka back in the game. Symonds and Hussey could not stand the fury of Sri Lankan pace and swing but Hopes kept on going great guns until Malinga got the better of him. Clarke, in the meanwhile, scored an excellent 77 against a good bowling side. Aussies ended up with the cricket score of not-so-imposing 253 runs for 6 wickets in the allotted quota of 50 overs. Sri Lankans saw their chance against the Aussies in having restrained them to a commendable yet achievable target but fell short of making anything out of the opportunity. Sri Lankan innings were nothing short of cricketing massacre led by the vociferous efforts of Bracken followed by Lee who claimed the scalp of Jayasuriya too early in the day. Only Sangakkara could withstand the fury for a while before Bracken got him lbw, making the Australian scorecard read 74 runs for 4 wickets. Jayawardane, Silva and Dilshan followed suit without making any impression with the bat and it was not too late before Aussies reaped the harvest of Sri Lankan tail to bundle out the side for the cricket score of 125 runs in merely 31.3 overs. Bracken came up with the figures of 47/5, which earned him man of the match award. The crushing defeat must have done some serious damage to the confidence of Sri Lanka but what could be the nature of after effects, you might never know, at least until it manifests itself in the form of tangible results.
Last Updated on 24 August 2012
