The Hindu : Aussies run riot

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 03, 2004

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Aussies run riot

COLOMBO, MARCH 2. Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann and Simon Katich slammed centuries on the opening day of the three-day warm-up match against the Sri Lankan President's XI while leg-spinner Shane Warne returned to the Australian line-up after completing a 12-month suspension for failing a doping test. Warne was included in the XI and is pushing for selection in the Test squad for the three-match series against the Sri Lankans starting next week. ``I'm as fit as I have ever been. I feel pretty fresh and my bowling has been going sensationally well,'' Warne told reporters.

Warne was banned for 12 months in February last year after he tested positive for the banned diuretics hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride in an out-of-competition test the previous month.

The 34-year-old Warne, the most successful leg-spinner with 491 wickets from 107 Tests, maintained he was innocent of taking performance-enhancing drugs and that the illegal substances must have been in the `diet pills' his mother had given him.

``What happened in the past happened in the past. I've learned a lot about myself... about a lot of different things,'' Warne said. ``I am ready for any challenge.''

Warne's peers were happy to have him in the squad. ``It's good to have him back again,'' captain Ricky Ponting said. ``He has worked exceptionally hard, looks in great shape and is apparently bowling very well.''

The home team put Australia in with the hope of securing an early advantage. But Australia came to terms with a slow wicket as Ponting made 116, Katich 116 and Lehmann 134. The visitor ended the day at 484 for six.

The Australian batsmen hit 64 boundaries and two sixes in their innings. Ponting and Justin Langer added 117 for the first wicket while Lehmann and Katich forged a 181-run stand for the third wicket. For the home team, Rangana Herath took three for 132.

The scores: Australia 484 for six (R. Ponting 116, S. Katich 116, D. Lehmann 134, R. Herath three for 132) vs Sri Lanka President's XI.

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