Sri Lanka managed to force a draw in their three-day game against Cricket Australia XI reaching 131 for six in the face of a 365 target at the end of the third and final day’s play in Hobart yesterday.
The first of two Tests between Sri Lanka and Australia begin on June 24 in Brisbane.
Sri Lanka played safe and cautiously without losing too many wickets as Lahiru Thirimanne top scored with 46 not out having faced as many as 121 deliveries with two boundaries.
Niroshan Dickwella faced 23 deliveries to scored 19 runs while Dilruwan Perera faced 28 deliveries to scored 14 runs.
Roshen Silva was unfortunate to retire hurt on 23 runs but faced 64 deliveries. The other not out batsman was Suranga Lakmal who made runs off 14 deliveries.
Sadeera Samarawickrema also batted cautiously to score just six runs off 20 balls.
This was not a bright start for the Sri Lankans who should expect to face similar conditions during the Test matches as well with the pitches suited to pace bowlers.
Scores:
Cricket Australia XI: 316/5 dec (K. Patterson 157 n.o. J. Doran 102 n.o.) and 224/3 dec. (M. Labuschagne 50, K. Patterson 102 n.o. W. Puchovski 33 n.o.)
Sri Lanka: 176/5 dec (L Thirimanne 32, D Chandimal 32, Dimuth Karunaratne 44, Roshane Silva 36 n.o) and 131/6 at stumps (L. Thirimanne 46 n.o. Roshen Silva 23 rt ht M. Neser 2/8, J. Holland 4/29)