Australia clinch Galle Test against Sri Lanka

04 September,2011 03:05 AM IST |   |  AFP

Plan to prepare a dusty pitch backfired on Lanka, says Aus captain Clarke after big win in first Test


Plan to prepare a dusty pitch backfired on Lanka, says Aus captain Clarke after big win in first Test

Rival captains Michael Clarke and Tillakaratne Dilshan blasted the dry wicket in Galle after Australia beat Sri Lanka by 125 runs in the first Test on Saturday.


Australia's Shane Watson celebrates with his teammate (right)
after dismissing Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews in Galle on Saturday.
Pic/AFP


Clarke, celebrating his first win as Australian captain, said he had never played on a tougher pitch than the dustbowl prepared at the Galle International Stadium.


Clarke

"Day One felt like Day Five out there," Clarke said after his team took the lead in the three-Test series, Australia's first in Sri Lanka since 2004. "I hate to see a Test match being determined by the toss. It was obviously prepared for their spin bowlers and that backfired. I guess I was just fortunate I won the toss."

A disappointed Dilshan said he did not expect to play on such a dry surface. "Usually, the wicket here is good for both the seamers and the spinners, but I think it was too dry and made batting difficult," he said.

The Sri Lankan captain blamed the defeat on his team's poor first innings total of 105 in reply to Australia's 273. The hosts, set a target of 379, then rode on a classy century from Mahela Jayawardene and 93 from Angelo Mathews to make 253 in the second knock. "If we had got about 250, as we should have, the story would have been different," said Dilshan.
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Plan dusty pitch Lanka Aus captain Clarke win first Test