October 29, 2007	Monday	Shawwal 16, 1428

ADELAIDE, Oct 28: Sri Lanka’s bowlers struggled on the second day of a three-day tour match against an inexperienced CA Chairman’s XI here on Sunday.

After declaring earlier in the day at 368-6 with most of their top order getting among the runs, the Sri Lankan bowlers battled to contain a side made up of fringe Australian state players.

At stumps the Chairman’s XI were 262-4 with Tom Plant not out 63 and Luke Ronchi yet to score.

Sri Lanka suffered their second injury worry in as many days when fast bowler Chanaka Welegedara pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring injury one over after claiming the wicket of opener Greg Moller, caught behind for 33.

But of more concern to the Sri Lankans is vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara, who retired hurt with a hamstring problem when batting on Saturday.

He is now in doubt for the final warm-up against Queensland next week.

Coach Trevor Bayliss said he did not know whether Sangakkara would be available for the first Test beginning in Brisbane on Nov 8.

“It’s very stiff at the moment, he’s limping around, they’re keeping a close eye on him and I think he’ll be sent for scans at some stage,” Bayliss said.

“The belief is it’s only a slight strain, he looks a bit doubtful (for Queensland).

“The most important thing is the Test match so if there’s any doubt at all we won’t play him (against Queensland).”

Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (1-87 from 30 overs) had to wait until the second to last over of the day for his first wicket when he beat teenager Philip Hughes (49) in flight and had him stumped.

However, Muralitharan posed a range of problems for the batsmen throughout the day.

Scoreboard

SRI LANKA (1st Innings, overnight 335-4):

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 c Hughes b Bollinger 71

J. Mubarak c Plant b Bollinger 6

M.F. Maharoof not out 7

EXTRAS (LB-6, NB-12) 18

TOTAL (for six decl, 96.2 overs) 368

FALL OF WKTS: 1-195, 2-239, 3-240, 4-335, 5-352, 6-368.

DID NOT BAT: M. Muralitharan, C.R.D. Fernando, U.W.M.B.C.A. Welegedera.

BOWLING: Bollinger 21.2-3-68-3 (10nb); Rofe 23-5-98-0; Lewis 16-2-46-0 (2nb); Bailey 16-1-100-0; Heal 19-5-50-3; Ferguson 1-1-0-0.

CA CHAIRMAN’S XI (1st Innings):

L.R. Mash c sub b Fernando 95

G.D. Moller c sub b Welegedara 33

T.C. Plant not out 63

C.J. Ferguson lbw b Fernando 5

P. Hughes st sub b Muralitharan 49

L. Ronchi not out 0

EXTRAS (B-5, NB-12) 17

TOTAL (for four wkts, 81 overs) 262

FALL OF WKTS: 1-79, 2-165, 3-171, 4-261.

TO BAT: A.K. Heal, C.B. Bailey, D.E. Bollinger, M.L. Lewis, P.C. Rofe.

BOWLING (to-date): Maharoof 19-3-64-0 (9nb); Welegedara 6-2-23-1 (3nb); Fernando 13-0-40-2; Muralitharan 30-5-87-1; Jayasuriya 9-1-34-0; Mubarak 4-0-9-0.

—Agencies