Jaques century takes Aus to 329/3 on Day 1

Australia continued its dominance against Sri Lanka on Day 1 of the second and final Test match of the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy at the Bellerieve Oval in Hobart. The hosts were comfortably placed on 329/3 at the close of play. (Hussey 101*, Jaques 150, Ponting 31, Randi Dilhara Fernando 1/65, Muralidaran 1/62, Jayasuriya 1/18).

His Excellency: “Mr. Cricket”

Hussey and Clarke (8*) were the unbeaten batsmen after the 90 overs were completed by the visitors. Michael Hussey brought up his 7th Test century to take his average in the longer version to a beyond belief 87. Is the left-handed Bradman of the 21st Test century upon us? The initial blitz of his career was expected to phase out at some point but the manner but the older of the Hussey brothers continues to astound one and all.

He played a flawless innings, an absolute delight to the eye – a knock that included 15 grandiose boundaries – most of them were the splendid ‘Hussey cover-drives’ that the world is fast getting accustomed to. Ian Chappell said that the left-hander played the shot better than anyone in world cricket today.

Sri Lanka would be desperate to snap a few early wickets on Day 2 in order to avoid an Aussie 500 plus total in the first innings. The pitch at Hobart has assisted spin bowling in the past and could bring the lone Australian spinner Stuart MacGill into the game as the match heads into last few days.

Gleaming Jaques

Justin Langer’s successor at the helm of Australia’s Test side has lived up to his high expectations – in spectacular style! The New South Wales opener has scored back-to-back centuries against Sri Lanka to fortify his place as Matthew Hayden’s new partner.

Jaques scored 150 runs off 237 balls, a well crafted, conventional opener’s knock. He saw off the new ball and didn’t hesitate to bring out his full repertoire of strokes after getting his eye in. The 28-year old struck 18 boundaries in his innings before being dismissed by Jayasuriya, when he attempted to play an expansive stroke.

Hussey and Jaques partnered for 152 runs for the third-wicket after the fall of Ponting. Hayden was the first batsman to be dismissed, caught behind by keeper Jayawardene off Fernando’s bowling. Ponting was foxed by a well flighted delivery by Muralidaran – caught by Jayawardena at first slip. The off-spinner requires a further six wickets to achieve the inevitable and claim Shane Warne’s world-record.

Sri Lanka executed a brave move by dropping veteran seamer Chaminda Vaas from the final XI just minutes before the start of the Test match. Reports suggest that Vaas could have exploited the moisture in the wicket up front and was dearly missed in the morning session, as Malinga, Maharoof or Fernando could generate any significant movement off the pitch.