October 28, 2007	Sunday	Shawwal 15, 1428

ADELAIDE, Oct 27: Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya opened his final tour of Australia in spectacular fashion when he blasted 154 against the Cricket Australia (CA) Chairman’s XI here on Saturday.

Facing an attack made up of state players not required for domestic matches, the veteran led his team to 335-4 at stumps on the first day of the three-day match.

The Sri Lankans also enjoyed useful contributions from recalled opener Marvan Atapattu (56), Michael Vandort (55) and Thilan Samaraweera (53 not out).

But there were some concerns over an apparent thigh injury to wicket-keeper and batsman Kumar Sangakkara, who retired hurt soon after having his leg strapped.

Captain Mahela Jayawardene looked worried by the injury and popped a return catch to left-arm spinner Aaron Heal soon after Sangakkara retired hurt.

Atapattu, who has looked rusty in the nets over the past two days, was helped by a 10-ball first over from Doug Bollinger, who sent down four no balls in a nervous opener.

He scored most of his early runs through the third man region but showed greater composure as the morning went on.

Jayasuriya began slowly but developed a liking for the medium pace of Paul Rofe (0-82) and wrist spin of Cullen Bailey (0-100), who was at one point dispatched for three leg-side sixes in as many deliveries.

The Sri Lankans play the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on Nov 8-12.

Scoreboard

SRI LANKA (1st Innings):

M.S. Atapattu c Hughes b Heal 56

S.T. Jayasuriya c Moller b Heal 154

M.G. Vandort c Plant b Bollinger 55

K.C. Sangakkara retired hurt 1

D.P.M.D. Jayawardene c and b Heal 0

T.T. Samaraweera not out 53

EXTRAS (LB-6, NB-10) 16

TOTAL (for four wkts, 86.1 overs) 335

FALL OF WKTS: 195, 239, 240, 335.

TO BAT: J.; Mubarak, M.F. Maharoof, M. Muralitharan, C.R.D. Fernando, U.W.M.B.C.A. Welegedara.

BOWLING (to-date): Bollinger 16.1-2-51-1 (8nb); Rofe 18-4-82-0; Lewis 16-2-46-0 (2nb); Bailey 16-1-100-0; Heal 19-5-50-3; Ferguson 1-1-0-0.

CA CHARMAN’S XI: L.R. Mash, G.D. Moller, T.C. Plant, C.J. Ferguson, P. Hughes, L. Ronchi, C.B. Bailey, A.K. Heal, M.L. Lewis, D.E. Bollinger, P.C. Rofe.—Agencies