A promising contest between hosts Sri Lanka and Australia at the R Premadasa Stadium was abandoned due to persistent rain in the evening. The match saw Sri Lanka winning the crucial toss and electing to bat first. Sri Lanka after a poor start recovered decently to 146 for 3 in 32.5 overs before rain hit the ground. Kumar Sangakkara was leading the Lankan fightback with an unbeaten 73 from 102 balls with 7 fours. He was into a healthy partnership of 71 runs for the unbroken 4th wicket with Thilan Samaraweera (34*) before the match got interrupted.
The Australians bowled and fielded superbly to silence the huge crowd at the Premadasa Stadium. Both Brett Lee and Shaun Tait picked up a wicket each to leave Sri Lanka at 31 for 2 inside 7 overs. There was some repair job done by Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene before the latter was run out in the 16th over.
- BV Swagath
