Cricket: Mendis, Herath Seal Sri Lanka Win Over Australia
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published July 30, 2016 | 07:29 PM
PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th july, 2016) - Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath backed up centurion Kusal Mendis' superlative effort to stun top-ranked Australia by 106 runs in the rain-affected first Test in Pallekele on Saturday. Herath, 38, grabbed 5-54 to help the hosts bundle out Australia for 161 on the fifth and final day after they were set a challenging 268 in the second innings.
Australian skipper Steven Smith posted a gritty half-century before Steve O'Keefe and Peter Nevill frustrated Sri Lanka with a 178-ball partnership. Herath bagged the last Australian wicket to fall by cleaning up O'Keefe to trigger wild celebration in the Lankan camp.
This was Sri Lanka's only second Test win against Australia in 27 matches. It was batsman Mendis (176) who set up the unlikely win for Sri Lanka with his superb maiden ton in his team's second innings after the hosts overcame an 86-run deficit. The 21-year-old Mendis, the only centurion in a low-scoring contest, played a memorable 254-ball knock laced with 21 fours and a six. "Special knock by a special young player.
Fantastic effort," an elated Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews said at the post-match presentation. For Lankan spinners it was a race against time as rain threatened to thwart their chances of upsetting firm favourites Australia but Herath had other ideas in mind. - Sandakan effect - =================== The left-arm spinner, who grabbed four wickets in the first innings, made life miserable for the Australian batsmen on a turning track on the fifth morning.
Smith, whose 55 was the next best after Mendis' century, was trapped LBW by Herath as Australia slipped to 141 for seven at lunch. Debutant chinaman bowler Lakshan Sandakan, who bagged seven wickets in the match, provided the perfect foil to Herath's experience. "The old man Herath was brilliant once again.
Sandakan is a brilliant find for us. We knew that the wicket was going to take turn and Sandakan responded brilliantly," said Mathews. O'Keefe, who was ruled out of the remainder of the series after injuring his hamstring Thursday, surprised the opposition by turning up at the crease Saturday. O'Keefe and Nevill resisted stoutly with one eye on the skies but could only delay the inevitable. "Tough week, credit to Sri Lanka the way they played.
We let ourselves down with the bat, we weren't disciplined with the bat. Credit to Kusal, his 176 turned the game," said Smith. "Anything above 260 on this wicket was always going to be difficult.
It's tough to lose O'Keefe but that's cricket. We have got to find our plans and find ways to play in these conditions." Sri Lanka lead the three-match series 1-0 as the action shifts to Galle for the second Test beginning August 4.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 4 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 04 May 2024
Pakistan marks World Press Freedom Day
High-level Saudi business delegation due on May 5
Stocks heat up as US labour market cools
President approves Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024
Implementation of merit, justice to oppressed segments top priorities: CPO
Overseas Kashmir community delegation calls on AJK President, discusses latest s ..
Govt believes in freedom of press: Amir Muqam
Labour urges UK election after Tory losses
Health authorities asked for action against alleged illegal tenders at Services ..
Spain scraps national bullfighting prize sparking debate
More Stories From World
-
Dams strain as water, death toll, keep rising in south Brazil
38 seconds ago -
Golf: US PGA Byron Nelson tournament scores
42 seconds ago -
Stocks gain while dollar retreats as US labor market cools
46 seconds ago -
Football: German Bundesliga table
31 minutes ago -
Verstappen takes sprint pole in Miami
1 hour ago -
Dams strain as water, death toll keep rising in south Brazil
1 hour ago
-
Football: German Bundesliga results
8 hours ago -
Auger-Aliassime in final as 'crazy' Madrid injury curse strikes again
8 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A result
8 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A table
8 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
8 hours ago -
Bill May or may not make Olympic history in the pool
8 hours ago