Clarke shines as Aussies win S. Lanka Test series

COLOMBO  - Australia clinched the Test series against Sri Lanka 1-0 Tuesday after resurgent skipper Michael Clarke led from the front to snatch a draw for the tourists in the finely poised third and final game.

For Clarke it was a victorious first Test tour as captain, the series win coming after the 125-run defeat of the hosts in the opening encounter in Galle. The second Test in Pallekele ended in a rain-affected draw.

Clarke said he was delighted at his team's performance after receiving the series trophy named after spin legends Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.

"I am very proud with the way we played on this tour," he said. "It was good to see the new players make the most of the opportunities that came their way."

He added that his team, which swaps places with Sri Lanka to move up to fourth in the official Test rankings, was anticipating a "completely different challenge" next month in South Africa.

The skipper burst into form with a fluent century and Michael Hussey narrowly missed a third consecutive hundred as Australia piled up 488 in their second innings before they were all out shortly before close with a lead of 331.

Sri Lanka were 7-0 from two overs in their second knock when the match was called off at the Sinhalese Sports Club in the capital Colombo.

Clarke, who replaced Ricky Ponting as captain, hit 112 and Hussey made 93 in a remarkable batting revival after the tourists had conceded a first innings lead of 157 runs in good batting conditions.

Clarke, who went 23 innings without a Test century since making 168 against New Zealand in March last year, hammered 14 boundaries and three sixes in his robust knock.

He was dismissed after he lost concentration following a verbal on-field skirmish with Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara and holed out in the deep to become left-arm spinner Rangana Herath's fifth victim.

Herath finished with remarkable figures of 7-157 on an unhelpful pitch, his last wicket giving him 100 Test scalps in 29 matches.

Hussey continued his amazing run in the series, scoring 463 runs in five innings at an average of 92.60, but missed out on a century in each innings of this match.

The left-hander moved to 93 with two fours off Tillakaratne Dilshan, but fell in the same over as he swept high to a diving Chanaka Welegedara at deep square-leg.

The West Australian had scored 95 and 15 in the first Test, 142 in the second and 118 in the first innings here.

Hussey, who picked up the man-of-the-match awards in all three Tests, was also adjudged the man of the series.

He and Clarke put on 176 for the fifth wicket after Sri Lanka had struck an important blow in the day's sixth over.

Australia added just 11 runs to their overnight score of 209-3 when century-maker Phil Hughes top-edged a sweep off Herath to Lahiru Thirimanne at square-leg.

The left-hander made 126, his third Test century.

Dilshan, the Sri Lanka captain, said he was impressed with the way his team bounced back after losing the first Test and then being saved by rain in the second.

"We came back strongly and that is a good sign for us," he said. "I think we had a very good chance to win this game but I must admit Australia played better cricket to save it and take the series."

Sri Lanka will now prepare for Test and one-day contests against Pakistan to be played in the United Arab Emirates from next month.

Ponting powers Australia to victory

HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka  - Ricky Ponting cracked an impressive 90 not out to steer Australia to an easy eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second one-day international on Sunday.

Ponting hit one six and eight fours in his 106-ball knock and skipper Michael Clarke made an unbeaten 58 as Australia surpassed Sri Lanka's total of 208 with more than 11 overs to spare for a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

The duo had also scored half-centuries in their team's seven-wicket win in the previous match.

Fast bowler Doug Bollinger led Australia's disciplined attack with three wickets to restrict Sri Lanka to a modest total before Ponting and Clarke ensured victory with their 107-run stand.

"It was a fantastic innings from Ricky," said Clarke.

"The bowlers did a great job. They are executing their plans really well. Full credit to them."

Clarke, playing his 200th one-day international, hit two sixes and four boundaries in his 67-ball knock.

Ponting also added 94 for the second wicket with in-form opener Shane Watson (43) after the early dismissal of Brad Haddin.

"The game was set up by our bowlers who kept taking wickets," said former captain Ponting, who was named man of the match.

"I am getting a few runs, so not being captain must be working all right."

Watson, who became the first batsman to complete 1,000 runs in one-dayers this year, was bowled by paceman Lasith Malinga after hitting one six and four boundaries in his 51-ball knock.

Bollinger was earlier superbly backed by fast bowlers Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee, who bagged two wickets apiece.

"It was not a great day for us," said Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan.

"We didn't get enough runs. This was a 250 pitch. We have to work things out as a batting unit. Ponting and Clarke batted really well."

Former captain Kumar Sangakkara top-scored for Sri Lanka with a patient 52, hitting just one six and one four in his 85-ball knock. He added 63 for the fifth wicket with Angelo Mathews (35).

Lower-order batsman Nuwan Kulasekara helped Sri Lanka cross the 200-mark with a brisk 31-ball 34.

Sangakkara fell just when he looked like stepping up the run-rate, caught by Johnson at long-on while attempting a big shot off spinner David Hussey in the 37th over.

Australia gained the upper hand when they reduced Sri Lanka to 77-4, with Lee, Johnson, Bollinger and left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty taking one wicket each.

Dilshan (24), Mahela Jayawardene (17) and Upul Tharanga (13) all got starts, but none could play a big knock.

Australia ease to 7-wicket win over SL

A career-best display by Mitchell Johnson in his 100th one-day international lifted Australia to a seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Kandy on Wednesday.

The left-arm paceman claimed 6-31, his first one-day six-wicket haul, to help Australia dismiss the home team for 191 inside their 50 overs in the opening match of the one-day series against the Sri Lankans.

In reply a belligerent 69 off just 50 deliveries by Shane Watson set Australia on their way before captain Michael Clarke (53no) and his predecessor Ricky Ponting (53) steered Australia to the total with a 101-run third wicket stand.

Clarke hit the winning run as Australia finished 3-192 off 38.1 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the five match series.

Johnson's heroics came in two fiery spells, first removing Mahela Jayawardene (3), Kumar Sangakkara (16), Jeevan Mendis (2) and Angelo Mathews (15) in an opening seven-over stint that had the Sri Lankans reeling at 7-117 after they won the toss and elected to bat.

Then the 29-year-old returned to break a 60-run eighth-wicket partnership by dismissing Suraj Randiv (41) before clean-bowling Ajantha Mendis (0) to finish a double-wicket maiden and complete his six-wicket haul.

Watson then ensured the paceman's heroics weren't wasted, quickly putting Australia on track for victory with his powerful knock, which included six sixes and five boundaries

The next match in the five-match one-day series is at the Mahinda Rajapaksha International Stadium near the southern port city of Hambantota on Sunday.

The third match will be held at the same venue on August 16 before the series concludes with two matches in Colombo.

Australia ease to 7-wicket win over SL

A career-best display by Mitchell Johnson in his 100th one-day international lifted Australia to a seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Kandy on Wednesday.

The left-arm paceman claimed 6-31, his first one-day six-wicket haul, to help Australia dismiss the home team for 191 inside their 50 overs in the opening match of the one-day series against the Sri Lankans.

In reply a belligerent 69 off just 50 deliveries by Shane Watson set Australia on their way before captain Michael Clarke (53no) and his predecessor Ricky Ponting (53) steered Australia to the total with a 101-run third wicket stand.

Clarke hit the winning run as Australia finished 3-192 off 38.1 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the five match series.

Johnson's heroics came in two fiery spells, first removing Mahela Jayawardene (3), Kumar Sangakkara (16), Jeevan Mendis (2) and Angelo Mathews (15) in an opening seven-over stint that had the Sri Lankans reeling at 7-117 after they won the toss and elected to bat.

Then the 29-year-old returned to break a 60-run eighth-wicket partnership by dismissing Suraj Randiv (41) before clean-bowling Ajantha Mendis (0) to finish a double-wicket maiden and complete his six-wicket haul.

Watson then ensured the paceman's heroics weren't wasted, quickly putting Australia on track for victory with his powerful knock, which included six sixes and five boundaries.

The next match in the five-match one-day series is at the Mahinda Rajapaksha International Stadium near the southern port city of Hambantota on Sunday.

The third match will be held at the same venue on August 16 before the series concludes with two matches in Colombo.

Cricket: Australia set for Sri Lanka spin assault

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka, Aug 9, 2011 - - Australia are gearing up for a Sri Lankan spin assault when the two teams clash in a five-match one-day series starting in Pallekele on Wednesday.

Tillakaratne Dilshan's home side hope to carry the momentum into the one-day matches after winning both Twenty20 internationals against Australia at the same venue over the past three days.

Australia's uneasiness at facing spin was exposed on Monday when unorthodox slow bowler Ajantha Mendis grabbed 6-16, the best figures ever in international Twenty20 cricket, to fashion his team's remarkable win.

The tourists, chasing Sri Lanka's 157-9, were cruising at 71-0 on the back of Shane Watson's attacking half-century before nine wickets fell for 78 runs.

Dilshan said the Twenty20 wins will give his side the advantage in the one-dayers and the three Test matches that follow.

"It is good to make a winning start against a strong side like Australia and I am sure we can carry the momentum into the one-dayers," said Dilshan, who struck an unbeaten century in the first match.

"The one-dayers will be a lot tougher, but I am confident we will do well."

Cameron White, Australia's Twenty20 captain, who will return home this week because he is not part of either the one-day or Test squads, said a spin assault awaited the tourists.

"It's going to be the same during the one-day series," said White.

"It'll be hard and tough work for the batsmen against the spinners.

"It's no secret. It's just going to be about who can come out on top at the end of the series."

Australia will be bolstered by the return of captain Michael Clarke and senior pros Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey who have considerable experience when it comes to facing spin bowlers.

White said he hoped their experience will help Australia, the world's top-ranked one-day team, tackle Mendis and the other spinners better.

"These seniors have seen a lot of Mendis in the past which is a definite advantage," he said.

"The more you play such bowlers, the easier it becomes to face them."

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, included sling-arm fast bowler Lasith Malinga and opening batsman Upul Tharanga in the 16-man squad announced on Tuesday.

Malinga missed the Twenty20 games due to a back injury, while Tharanga has served out a three-month suspension on dope-related charges.

Australia (from): Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Shaun Marsh, Steven Smith, John Hastings, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Xavier Doherty, James Pattinson, Doug Bollinger.

Sri Lanka (from): Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), Angelo Mathews, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeevan Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Thisara Perera, Upul Tharanga, Suranga Lakmal, Ajantha Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Chamara Silva, Shaminda Eranga.

Watson gets first taste of leadership

New Australian cricket skipper Michael Clarke's chronic back issue has put the focus on L-plate leader Shane Watson earlier than expected.

Star all-rounder Watson was handed a surprise first taste of captaincy on Wednesday when he led Australia's one-day team onto the field in a practice match against Queensland in Brisbane.

Clarke was forced to retire hurt with back stiffness after scoring 13 from 31 balls and watched on as Australia defended 8-263 (46 overs) at Allan Border Field.

Former captain Ricky Ponting was also on the sidelines with a calf problem which restricted him to the nets on the final day of a two-week training camp.

Coach Tim Nielsen stresses both batsmen were rested as a precaution and he has no concerns about either ahead of next month's tour to Sri Lanka.

"(Clarke) pulled up a little stiff which is why he retired and we're just going to take the opportunity to get everybody out there," Nielsen told AAP.

"(Ponting) has had a bit of a sore calf as well which we're just being careful about.

"Really, it's a training day for us and, if these guys were like this at training, we wouldn't expect them to train so we certainly won't put them through the fielding."

Watson, appointed vice-captain in March, has been Australia's best player in all forms of the game over the past two years but has never captained a senior team in his career.

His appointment had raised questions whether he could handle the extra responsibility of leadership on top of being the side's opening batsman and fourth seamer.

But Nielsen said Watson is a true back-up to Clarke, who must manage his back problem for the rest of his career, and is confident the 30-year-old will cope with the extra pressure and responsibility.

"Very much so," the coach said. "Selectors don't just give people the vice-captaincy with the thought you deserve it because you played well.

"It's an idea that if something does happen to the captain, who is the person we feel can take over the reins and do a good job?

"We can't forget that we have people with the experience of (Brad) Haddin and Ponting still around the team and, I'm sure if Shane needs to, he will lean on them pretty strongly and also Michael Hussey.

"While he's the nominated one and probably giving him the opportunity is a longer-term view, he certainly won't be on his own out there if he captains the side."

David Hussey was the most impressive performer with the bat, slogging the Bulls' bowlers all over the small oval, blasting 76 off 41 balls, including seven fours and three sixes.

He combined with brother Mike (46 off 58) in a stand of 91. Shaun Marsh hit 47 off 66 balls while young Bulls' spinner Jason Floros took 4-25.

Animated in the field, Watson appeared to enjoy the challenge and pulled the right rein in bowling himself late to take 3-26 as he and David Hussey (2-13) prevented the Bulls (9-229) challenging Australia's total.

Clarke was there to clap Watson off the field and pat him on the back.

"Well done skip, one from one," he said.

Clarke says he doesn't want a rest

Michael Clarke says he wants to play every game across all forms of cricket in an exhausting summer schedule and is confident his body can handle the workload.

The middle order batsman returned to Sydney on Tuesday after captaining Australia in the three-match limited overs series after the two Test series in India.

He will have precious little respite as he leads Australia in a T20 International against Sri Lanka in Perth this Sunday.

While the selectors rested some other key players from the one-day series in India including skipper Ricky Ponting, Clarke is emphatic that he won't need a spell at any stage of Australia's marathon Ashes summer.

"I'd really like to be available for all games, all forms for Australia no doubt," Clarke told reporters at Sydney airport.

"I think my body is in a pretty good place at the moment.

"I haven't scored as many runs as I would like, so the only way to that is to get out there in the middle and I'd love to be doing it for Australia.

"So hopefully I'll be fighting fit and I'll play every game available."

Although he scored a century in the only one-day game in India which wasn't washed out, Clarke admitted he needed to lift his batting after a disappointing Test series in which he failed to average double figures.

Test vice-captain Clarke described criticism of Ponting's captaincy during the Tests as "a little bit harsh".

He also defended the effforts of the Ausrtralian middle order of Hussey, Marcus North and himself after they struggled to score consistently as a unit.

2nd ODI: India's young guns beat Australia

The target of 290 appeared to be stiff, especially when India were wobbling at 35 for 2 in the ninth over, but Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh maintained their sang froid to get India close before the adventurous Suresh Raina sealed the win in style. Kohli, in particular, impressed. He not only lost Yuvraj in the 34th over with India still 118 runs adrift of the target but also, by then, was suffering from severe cramps and was forced to bat with a runner. If those hurdles fazed him, he didn't show it and went on to clinch the game in the company of the Raina.

The chase mirrored Australia's innings to an extent. Australia too had started slowly before they consolidated, courtesy a fine 144-run partnership between Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey, to 205 for 3 from 45 overs, before exploding in the death overs. Australia looted 84 runs in the final five overs and Cameron White whacked 70 runs in his last 24 deliveries. Australia might have felt they had enough in the bank but Kohli pulled off a cool heist.

Kohli's personal big moment came in the 42nd over when he brought up his ton with a crisp square-drive and screamed in glee. And the game was all but over in the 43rd over when Kohli swung Clint Mckay for two fours and a massive heaved-six over long-on. Post that shot, even his limp towards square leg seemed to acquire a swagger. It was indeed a special night for Kohli who has now moved ahead of Rohit Sharma in the pecking order.

Kohli's nerves, if any, must have eased after Raina collected 17 runs from 38th over of the innings, bowled by James Hopes. He struck three fours -a glanced boundary preceded two mowed hits to wide midwicket boundary - to reduce the target to 81 from 12 overs. And when Raina picked up two more fours in the 40th over, India required 66 runs from the final 10 and they did it without much fuss. Though India soon lost Kohli, who holed out to long-on, and MS Dhoni, Raina guided India home.

The chase stood out for India's calm approach. They initially chose to conserve wickets and reserved their assault for the second half of the chase. At the half-way mark they had reached 117 for the loss of the openers and required another 173 runs. When McKay removed the openers with a double strike that included a second-ball duck for the debutant Shikhar Dhawan, the situation was similar to Australia's position at the corresponding stage. India's No. 3 and No. 4 - Kohli and Yuvraj - revived the innings with calm heads.

As you would expect with such a high asking run-rate, the Indian pair did play a few big shots to ease the pressure. Kohli pulled Mitchell Starc for a four before flicking and square-driving John Hastings for successive boundaries. Yuvraj whiplashed Hastings over midwicket, lifted Starc to the straight boundary and swept Nathan Hauritz for another four.

Australia tried to keep it tight, with the seamers hitting the back of length and bowling as straight as possible. However, the errors started to creep in as the pressure increased and with the spinners proving to be ineffective, Kohli and Yuvraj cruised along. The pitch had quickened up as the evening wore on and the ball started to come on nicely to the bat which also helped India's cause.

The change in nature of the wicket had helped Australia too in the end of their innings. It was ruthless violence in the end but the Australian innings had three distinct phases. They crawled to 16 for 2 in eight overs; they then consolidated to 205 for 3 from 45 overs, before finishing off in style.

White swung Praveen Kumar for two sixes to the straight boundary in the 48th over before he bossed Vinay Kumar in some style. There were four massive sixes against the hapless bowler spread over two overs. He cleared the front foot and walloped a full-pitched delivery to the straight boundary for the first six. The second fell into the second tier over long-on and the third was swiped over the midwicket boundary. The fourth, of the final ball of the innings, showcased his skill: It was yet another full toss and he swat-flicked it over the wide midwicket boundary.

It would be tempting to solely focus on the surge in the last five overs but it was all set up by a superb stand between Hussey and Clarke. It was Hussey who increased the run-flow with three crisp boundaries by the 10th over. An inspired Clarke soon produced the shot of the afternoon: a classy on-the-up punchy drive past Praveen that defied the slow pitch.

It would be tempting to solely focus on the surge in the last five overs but it was all set up by a superb stand between Hussey and Clarke. It was Hussey who increased the run-flow with three crisp boundaries by the 10th over. An inspired Clarke soon produced the shot of the afternoon: a classy on-the-up punchy drive past Praveen that defied the slow pitch.