Hussey and Clarke set a new record for the fifth wicket against Sri Lanka, beating the previous mark of 155 established by Allan Border and David Hookes in 1983. Clarke scored his 15th Test century and Hussey fell just short of a second century for the match on 93, wrapping up the Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards.
Herath Takes Seven Wickets In Marathon Performance
Sri Lanka struck back late in the day taking five wickets after tea to have Australia all out for 488 but it was all too late with the Sri Lankan openers forced to bat out two overs before the game was called off early and declared a draw. Rangana Herath completed a marathon bowling performance claiming 7-157 and taking his series tally to sixteen wickets. Ryan Harris, who missed this Test match with an injury, was the next highest wicket taker for the three match series with eleven. Coincidentally both players only played two games after Herath missed the Second Test also through injury.
A draw in the Third Test ensured Australia's 1-0 series vctory and saw it overtake Sri Lanka on the ICC Test rankings. Australia now stands at number four while Sri Lanka, which has struggled for victories since the retirement of Mutiah Muralitharan, drops to number five.
Rangana Herath continued to be the main threat to Ausralia on the last morning of the Test match. After taking all Australian wickets to fall on day four he removed Phil Hughes early in the pre-lunch session. Hughes attempted his favouite sweep from the rough outside offstump, top edging to be caught at backward square leg by Thirimanne. His 126 had come from 220 balls and Australia was 4-220, giving Sri Lanka a slight scent of victory.
Clarke Survives Difficult Stumping Chance
Michael Clarke had some anxious moments early in his innings. Continuing to advance down the wicket to Herath, he survived a stumping chance when the ball passed between his legs, narrowly missing the stumps. Unsighted by the Australian skipper's body the keeper, Prasanna Jayawardene, failed to grasp the ball which went for byes.
Following the drinks break Clarke's approach changed. He switched from defence to attack, using the lack of outfielders to his advantage. First he swept Herath to the vacant square leg boundary and followed up by lofting over mid-on for a six. The attacking shots continued with Clarke's second six bringing up his half century, again following a boundary from the previous ball.
The Australians went to lunch at 4-298 having scored 89 runs from the first session while losing just one wicket. Hussey had moved without any fuss to 21 not out while Clarke, on 70, was looking to end a century drought in Test matches of 24 innings.
Clarke Hits Three Sixes Off Herath
Clarke gave another stumping chance to the first ball from Herath after the lunch break. This time the ball spun past the outside edge of his bat and Jayawardene gloved the ball but failed to hold onto it. The Australian batsmen then dominated the lunch to tea session. Clarke went to his century which included 14 fours and his third six. Runs came at better than a run a ball with Clarke's second fifty taking just 42 balls. The Sri Lankan bowlers conceded 59 runs from the eight overs immediately after lunch
Lakmal was given some encouragement when he banged the ball in short at Hussey. First the ball climbed above Hussey's shoulders and his pull shot was top-edged to the fine leg boundary. Another bouncer had Hussey taking his eyes off the ball which cannoned into his helmet. However, Lakmal became predictable when he bowled a third short ball. This time it sat up and Hussey's pull shot saw the ball rocket to the mid-wicket boundary.
Sangakkara And Clarke Exchange Words
With Australia on 395 all Sri Lanka's chances of victory had evaporated and frustrations came to the surface. Kumar Sangakkara and Michael Clarke were involved in an extended conversation which saw Clarke walk away from his batting position towards Sangakkara in the gully. It prompted the umpire, Aleem Dar, to intervene, calling on the players to calm down.Whatever was said by Sangakkara, it produced a result. In the next over Clarke attempted to loft Herath again but failed to clear Paranavitana who took an simple catch at mid-on.
Scoreboard Day Five Third Test Match Sri Lanka v Australia September 20, 2011:
Australia Second Innings - (Resumed 3- 209) Hughes c Thirimanne b Herath 126, Clarke c Paranavitana b Herath 112, Hussey c Welegedara b Dilshan 93, Johnson c Eranga b Welegedara 4, Haddin c Lakmal b Herath 30, Siddle lbw Herath 26, Copeland c Paranavitana b Eranga 3, Lyon 1no. Bowling: Herath 7-157. FOW: 4-220, 5-396, 6- 448, 7-452, 8-471, 9-486, All Out: 488.
Sri Lanka Second Innings - Paranavitana 2no, Thirimanne 4no, Total: 0-7. Match Drawn.
Man of the Match: MikeHussey.
Man of the Series: Mike Hussey.
Stuart McCulloch - From the idyllic location of a national park in Tasmania Stuart McCulloch writes about his interests of sport, movies and history and ...
