Sangakkara maintains Sri Lanka’s chances of draw in 1st test with half century vs. Australia

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOBART, Australia — Kumar Sangakkara frustrated Australia on the final day of the first test, reaching his half century by lunch Tuesday to maintain Sri Lanka’s chances of saving the match.

Sri Lanka resumed the day on 65-2, 328 runs short of the winning target, and Sangakkara edged his side closer to the draw with a nerveless 58 not out at Bellerive Oval.

The only moment of alarm for Sangakkara came three overs before the interval when he successfully appealed an lbw dismissal by Shane Watson. Replays showed he was struck outside the line of the stumps.

Two balls later, Thilan Samaraweera was beaten by a climbing delivery that just clipped his body and sped past wicketkeeper Matthew Wade down the leg-side for four.

Samaraweera was on 17 at lunch, leaving Mahela Jayawardene as the only man dismissed so far Tuesday. The captain edged Peter Siddle low to Michael Clarke at slip for a 77-ball 19.

Again without the injured Ben Hilfenhaus, Australia’s attack toiled on an abrasive fifth-day pitch. Spinner Nathan Lyon probed, the pacemen extracted reverse swing from the old ball and Mitchell Starc got one to climb and hit the swinging Sangakkara on the arm.

After dismissing both openers in Monday’s final session, Australia’s bowlers might have expected to add to their haul early on the final day but Sangakkara and Jayawardene continued to attack only the occasional poor ball and turn down singles.

The pace suggested the Sri Lankans, who have never won in 10 tests in Australia, believe they have little chance of making a target of 393, which would be their highest ever winning total. The West Indies made the highest successful run chase against Australia with 417-8 at St. John’s in 2003.

Already fourth most prolific partnership in test history, Sangakkara and Jayawardene took their third-wicket stand to 65 — and their total to 5,628 runs at an average of 56.28 — before Jayawardene finally edged to Clarke, who had missed a catch off Sangakkara late Monday.

Sangakkara, who could yet make his 31st test century, now averages 64.71 in eight innings in Australia.

Clarke appeared untroubled by a right hamstring injury that forced the captain to retire hurt on 57 in Australia’s second-innings 278-9, but Hilfenhaus was absent, joining James Pattinson, Ryan Harris, Patrick Cummins and Josh Hazlewood on the sidelines for the second test in Melbourne.

20:57ET 17-12-12