18 February 2004	Wednesday	26 Zilhaj 1424

MORATUWA, Feb 17: World champions Australia geared up for the one-day series in Sri Lanka with an emphatic five-wicket victory in a warm-up match on Tuesday.

Skipper Ricky Ponting set up the Australian win with a half-century as the tourists batted aggressively to surpass Sri Lanka Cricket President team's total of 283-8 with 35 balls to spare.

Ponting (57), Andrew Symonds (49) and Damien Martyn (40) all retired to give their team-mates batting practice in the only game before the five-match series starting at Dambulla on Friday.

Openers Adam Gilchrist (43) and Matthew Hayden (35) set the stage with a 70-run stand off just 45 balls before Ponting and Symonds ensured the win. Hard-hitting Symonds gave the finishing touches, smashing two sixes and four boundaries in his 34-ball knock.

Middle-order batsman Jehan Mubarak (56) and opener Saman Jayantha (50) made merry as Australia used as many as nine bowlers to find the right combination before the one-day series.

Lower-order batsman Gayan Ramyakumara cracked an unbeaten 33 off just 19 balls in the closing overs.

Summarised scores:

PRESIDENT'S XI 283-8 in 50 overs (J. Mubarak 56, S. Jayantha 50, R.P. Arnold 35, G. Ramyakumara 33 not out, B. Perera 26, P. Hewage 25; G.B. Hogg 2-46);

AUSTRALIA 284-5 in 44.1 overs (R.T. Ponting 57 retired, A. Symonds 49 retired, A.C. Gilchrist 43, D.R. Martyn 40 retired, M.L. Hayden 35, M.J. Clarke 22 not out). -AFP