Australia all out for 273 as Hussey misses century

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE reporting from Galle

On a wicket that shows signs of taking increasing spin as the game progresses, Australia helped by a patient and well carved out 95 from leftie Michael Hussey who was unlucky to miss out on a century made 273 on the first day of the First Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, here today.

Coming in at the fall of the third wicket at 91 and a collapse looming with left arm spinner Rangana Herath threatening to run through, Hussey batted with great responsibility hitting 7 fours and 3 sixes, occupying the crease for 246 minutes and striking 177 balls.

Of the Sri Lankan bowlers Suranga Lakkal had 3 for 55, Rangana Herath 3 for 54 and Suraj Randiv 2 for 76.

After tea Australia lost the wickets of Brad Haddin for 24, Mitchell Johnson for 14, Ryann Harris for 1, Trent Copeland for 12 and Hussey for 95.

With the wicket taking spin it was inexplicable as to why Dilshan did not bowl his main spinners more often. Herath who looked the more menacing, should have bowled more overs. The spinners - Herath and Randiv had they flighted the ball more, instead of bowling flat would have obtained more vicious spin and more wickets.

Overnight rain which left water on the covers and a wet outfield delayed the start of play by one hour. It was raining till early in the morning. But thankfully the rains ceased, the clouds rolled by and play started at 11 a.m.

Curator Jayananda Warnaweera and his efficient ground staff did an admirable job getting the ground ready for play and when the umpires called ‘play’ the ground looked a picture.

The sun was peeping out when the two captains walked out to toss and Australian skipper Michael Clarke won the toss and decided to bat on a wicket that was bare of grass and which looked ideal for batting and a big score. The wicket and the ground were covered from Tuesday evening.

While there were no debutants in the Sri Lankan team, Australia had two in. Trent Copeland a medium pacer and Nathan Lyon an off spinner. Former Australian batting ace Doug Walters known as the ‘Dungog dasher’ during his playing days, presented the caps to the debutants cheered on by their team mates before the start of play.

Australia opened with Shane Watson and Phil Hughes. Watson looked the more aggressive hitting some lovely boundaries on the off side off left armer Chanaka Welegedara and went to 22 with 5 fours. Let arm spinner Rangana Herath coming on got his first delivery to turn sharply and take the edge of Watson’s bat and wicket keeper Prasanna Jayawardena gobbled the catch. 28-1-22.

Phil Hughes went eight runs later for 12 when Suranga Lakmal got one to rise off a good length and nicked to first slip Tharanga Paranavitana. 36-2-12. The Sri Lankans went in with a safety first team. With the first ball bowled by Herath it was obvious that the wicket was spin friendly.

The two experienced batsmen and masters of playing spin bowling Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke joined forces to take the side to lunch at 76 with Ponting on 21 and Clarke also on 21. They were not unduly worried by both pace and spin and batted confidently.

After lunch the pair added a further 15 runs when Herath had Clarke LBW for 23 with the score on 91. The initial appeal was turned down by umpire Richard Kettlerborough and on the referral was ruled out by third umpire Tony Hill. Ponting and Clarke added 55 for the third wicket. 91-3-23.

‘Mr. Cricket’ Michael Hussey joined Ponting and put on 21 before Ponting 44 who was batting confidently and looking good for a big score tried to loft Herath for six, mistimed and Angelo Mathews at mid off took the catch. He hit 6 fours. 112-4-44.

Usman Khawaja joined Hussey and by dint of some correct batting, put on 45 for the 5th wicket. The batsmen were not going for their shots, but were attempting to add runs and make the score look respectable. On the stroke of tea Khawaja was bowled through the gate by a delivery from Lakmal that nipped in after pitching. He made 21 without hitting single boundary. 157-5-21. Hussey was unbeaten on a hard earned 34.

AUSTRALIA 1st innings:

S. Watson c P. Jayawardene b Herath 	22
P. Hughes c Paranavitana b Lakmal 	12
R. Ponting c Mathews b Herath 		44
M. Clarke lbw b Herath 			23
M. Hussey lbw b Dilshan 		95
Usman Khawaja b Welegedara 		21
B. Haddin c Paranavitana b Randiv 	24
M. Johnson c P. Jayawardene b Lakmal 	14
R. Harris lbw b Lakmal 			 1
T. Copeland c Paranavitana b Randiv 	12
N. Lyon not out 			 0

EXTRAS: (b3, lb2) 			 5
TOTAL (all out, 86.4 overs) 		273

Fall of wickets: 1-28 (Watson), 2-36 (Hughes), 3-91 (Clarke), 4-112 (Ponting), 5-157 (Khawaja),
 6-205 (Haddin), 7-234 (Johnson), 8-236 (Harris), 9-251 (Copeland), 10-273 (Hussey).
Bowling: Welegedara 15-5-61-1, Lakmal 17-2-55-3, Herath 24-3-54-3, Randiv 21-2-76-2, Dilshan 9.4-1-22-1