Brisbane, Feb 21 (IANS) Lahiru Thirimanne and captain Mahela Jayawardene scored fine fifties in Sri Lanka’s 289 for six against India in the eighth match of the tri-series here Tuesday.
In an all-round batting display, openers Jaywardene (51) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (45) set the tone for a big total while Thirimanne (62) and Angelo Matthews (49 not out) in the middle-order provided a good finish to the innings. Irfan Pathan and Ravichandran Ashwin took two wickets each as India leaked 81 runs in the last eight overs.
Jayawardene and Dilshan made most of the good batting conditions at the Gabba, sharing 95-runs at the top of the order. It seemed Sri Lanka lost their way when they lost the openers and Kumar Sangakkara (8) in quick time to make it 124 for three but the young middle-order came to the party.
Besides Thirimanne and Mathews, in-form Dinesh Chandimal contributed 38 to the total.
While the southpaw scored at a run a ball, Mathews took India’s spinners and part-timers to the cleaners.
India, captained by Virender Sehwag in the absence of suspended Mahendra Singh Dhoni, tried eight bowlers, including Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli, who went for 24 in two overs.
Umesh Yadav proved expensive again with batsmen making full use of his extra pace. He conceded 58 runs in eight overs.
