The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Australia wins series opener

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Saturday, Jan 14, 2006

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Sport - Cricket

Australia wins series opener

Damien Martyn and Symonds have a party

MELBOURNE: Damien Martyn and Andrew Symonds belted half centuries and Brett Lee took two top-order wickets as Australia beat Sri Lanka by 116 runs in Friday's opening tri-series cricket international.

Martyn blazed 70 from 64 balls and Symonds bludgeoned four towering sixes in his 66 from 61 balls as Australia reached 318 for five off its 50 overs.

In reply, the Sri Lankans never recovered after Lee took wickets in his first two overs to have them reeling at 11 for two and ended their 50 overs at 202 for seven.

Lee strikes

Lee struck on the second ball and again in the third over and returned two for 29 from seven overs of express pace. Nathan Bracken picked up two for 11 in eight overs.

Super sub Michael Vandort withstood Lee's early overs and held the Sri Lankan innings together, compiling 48 from 117 deliveries before he was run out. Mahela Jayawardene hit 50 from 47 balls before he gave James Hopes a return catch. The Australians picked up a bonus point win and will return to Brisbane for Sunday's sold-out one-dayer against South Africa. — AP

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