Jayawardene to lead Sri Lanka in Australia

Hours after Tillakaratne Dilshan resigned as Sri Lanka captain from all three formats, the country's new selection panel appointed former captain Mahela Jayawardene in his place to lead the ODI squad to Australia for the tri-series in February involving the hosts and India. Angelo Mathews remains the vice-captain of the 15-member squad which also includes Dilshan.

Jayawardene was ODI captain from 2004 till 2009 (he took over as Test captain in 2006). He resigned in 2009, saying he wanted his successor to have sufficient time to build the team for the 2011 World Cup. Kumar Sangakkara took over from Jayawardene but stepped down after leading Sri Lanka to the final of the World Cup.

Dilshan led Sri Lanka for nine months after the World Cup, but resigned on Monday following series defeats in both Tests and ODIs in all his four assignments.

Jayawardene has led Sri Lanka in 97 ODIs, winning 57 and losing 35. Whether Jayawardene is handed the Test captaincy as well remains to be seen; Sri Lanka's next Test series begins only in the last week of March against England at home.

Farveez Maharoof, the bowling allrounder, and Chanaka Welegedara, the fast bowler, were recalled after having last played an ODI for Sri Lanka back in June 2010. The duo were the only changes from the squad for the recent ODI series in South Africa, in place of Kosala Kulasekara and Dilhara Fernando. Thilan Samaraweera, who was ignored for the South Africa ODIs, was put on stand-by.

Maharoof was the leading run-scorer in Tier A of the 50-over domestic Premier Limited Over Tournament 2011-12 with 219 runs from six games at an average of 43.80 for the Nondescripts Cricket Club. He also picked up 10 wickets in the tournament at 17.00 and an economy rate of four. Welegedara has been a regular member of the Test side of late, and has now been rewarded with a place in the limited-overs squad as well.

Rangana Herath and the offspinner Sachithra Senanayake, who debuted against South Africa recently, will form the spin attack. There was no place for Suraj Randiv, who last played an ODI against Australia in August 2011.

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Lasith Malinga’s hat-trick guide Sri Lanka win

Sri Lanka 213 for 6 (Jayawardene 71, Silva 63) strike Australia 211 (Watson 56, Malinga 3-35, A Mendis 3-49) by 4 wickets


Lasith Malinga's hat-trick and half-centuries from Mahela Jayawardene and Chamara Silva motorized Sri Lanka to a comfort four-wicket win over Australia.

The tourists, who held an unquestionable 3-1 lead going into Monday's final match, were dismiss for 211 with approximately four overs to spare.

Shane Watson made 56, Michael Clarke 47 and David Hussey 46, and Ajantha Mendis took three wickets, but it was Malinga who wrap the attention as his trademark yorkers ripped out Mitchell Johnson, John Hastings and Xavier Doherty in consecutive balls.

And the hosts improved from 33 for three to come out victorious, thanks largely to a stand of 111 between Jayawardene and Silva.

Having been put in to bat, Australia lost Shaun Marsh, bowled playing across the line at Shaminda Eranga, to go away them four for one from two overs.

But Watson put on 67 with Ricky Ponting before the latter fell for 31 after failing to pick Angelo Mathews' off-cutter.

Watson's half-century inwards from 64 balls, with six fours and a six, en way to another 50 partnership with captain Clarke but he fell shortly afterwards, heaving Mendis to deep mid-wicket.

Michael Hussey made just six but Brother David fared better, though he lost Clarke when the skipper edge Eranga to keeper Kumar Sangakkara.

David Hussey under enemy control a stand of 43 with keeper Brad Haddin before also absent out on fifty when he was bowled by Mendis. His 49-ball innings included five fours and a six, and his exit left his side 210 for five.

The real entertainment was still to come, although, as Malinga spear a full delivery into new man Mitchell Johnson's leg stump and follow up by pinning Hastings lbw on the crease, a decision uphold after an Australian review.

Doherty had no chance next to the hat-trick delivery, which not working into the base of middle stump to earn Malinga a unique achievement, following previous hat-tricks against South Africa in the 2007 World Cup - when he took four wickets in succeeding balls - and Kenya in this year's event.

Haddin then chip Mendis to mid-off, meaning Australia had lost their last five batsmen for one run in 11 balls.

The clatter of wickets sustained as Upul Tharanga last just four balls of Sri Lanka's reply before edging Johnson to Haddin.

James Pattinson then detached Sangakkara and Tillakaratne Dilshan, the latter making 17 from 16 balls before being bowled via bat and pad.

But the patient Jayawardene was connected by Silva, who survived an lbw review against Watson but contribute 30 to his senior partner's 10 by the time their stand reach fifty in the 13th over.

Silva reach a 51-ball half-century feature seven fours and a six but fell shortly afterwards for 63 after a top-edged sweep at Doherty was wedged by Hastings.

A rain delay of just over half an hour follow but failed to disturb Jayawardene, who pressed on persistently in the company of an equally restrained Mathews.

Jayawardene's fifty came from 86 balls with only three boundaries but there followed a string of narrow escape, with an inside edge past the stumps and a run-out chance failed by Doherty.

He fell for 73 after trying to loft Doherty over long-off, a shot he had played more effectively earlier in the over.

Mathews (26) drove Watson to Doherty with only three desired but Jeevan Mendis edged the charming boundary wide of slip.

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We like to complete the period on a high: Mahela

Kochi Tuskers Kerala skipper Mahela Jayawardene emphasized on the significance of achieve constancy, after his side's eight-wicket triumph over Rajasthan Royals.

"We require trying and being more reliable, that's a key word in Twenty20 cricket," Jayawardene said. More than the win, the fashionable Sri Lankan was pleased by the manner in which his team achieves it.

"Easy succeed, so happy with that," he said. "The other day we couldn't secure 180, today we executed our plans." With 12 points from 13 matches, the Kochi Tuskers Kerala are located sixth in the points table, and the skipper, following playing his last IPL match of the season, wants his teammates to finish it on a high.

"We want to end off the season on a high, with 14 points, and we'd like to say we had a good season," Mahela, who will be send-off for England to connect the national team, said.

Rajasthan skipper Shane Warne feel his team was 100-120 runs short on the small Holkar Cricket stadium ground.

"It was almost certainly one of those nights when you are 100-120 short. We can simply try as much as we can. I'm arrogant of our guys as they are trying very hard. (But) to misplace four games in a row, we've now made too many mistakes," Warne said.

The famous Australian was dissatisfied that his side failed to carry out to its possible in front of a packed Sunday crowd. "It's unsatisfactory for the fans. Such a great swarm and buzz here," he said.

Brad Hodge, who was affirmed Man of the Match for his all-round show, said the face is still short of where it should be. "We've perform attractive well. We are small of where we require being, but it's coming jointly. Chasing a low total, the plan was to just go in there and play with liberty and get the job done," Hodge said.

"We are up next to Chennai, it's going to be a tough game but with any luck we can pull it off." Hodge also recall the days when he would sink to Warne at the joint Oval.

"It's good for us to come up at this time and put in a good presentation. Warne's got me out abundance of times; I got lucky to be truthful. Used to bowl to him at the Junction Oval."

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BCCI, SLC probable to assemble on Monday: Mahela

Senior Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene on Sunday thought that his country's cricket board and the BCCI are probable to meet on Monday for a "dialogue" over the go back of the player’s midway in the Twenty20 league for a tour of England.

Jayawardene said the Sri Lankan players will have to stand for by the decision of their Board.

"We are theoretical to return to Sri Lanka by May 5. That is the way we have been given. Dialogues are occurrence between the two boards. There is likely to be a meeting on Monday," said Jayawardene, captain of IPL side Kochi Tuskers Kerala.

"As of now, we have to go on May 5. This is not amazing which is in our control as players. We are waiting to hear the final outcome (of the dialogue)," he told journalists at the press conference ahead of KTK's IPL match against defensive champions Chennai Super Kings. He said in the event of his exit, there will be sufficient replacements.

"Hopefully, I will acquire to stay longer. But, if I go there are fairly good players to come in. I am sure they will put their hands up. Anything can happen, wound etc. We have sufficient replacements and some top players are session on the bench. They will grab the chance," he said.

Asked if his bowlers were conceding runs and if that was a matter of concern for Monday's vital match against CSK, Jayawardene said, "In Twenty20 matches bowlers are going to be on the getting end with everyone trying to go for runs. You cannot be too hard on bowlers. They are difficult their level best."

"We have to see new areas which we can get better, get new game plans and carry out them. We are working on it and will keep humanizing. Some days they will win matches for us, sometimes they will grant runs. We cannot be unenthusiastic about it. We can't just blame anyone," said Jayawardene.

"We have taken a lot of positives from the win next to Mumbai Indians. But we have to start from ball one on Monday. Chennai are a good team. We have got to work actually hard on Monday."

Asked if Muttiah Muralitharan or restricted boy S Sreesanth would be playing in Monday's game, Jayawardene said, "It was Murali's birthday on Sunday and a cake was cut for him. We have so many options in the squad. There are lots of brilliance players in the squad. Depending on the resistance and the wickets, a final call will be taken either tonight or tomorrow on who will be playing on Sunday," he said.

"There are so many options. We have to see the wicket. The resistance has a game plan. We will pick players to beat their game plan. Only four overseas players can play. We have to see who the best we can use alongside CSK on this wicket," he said.

On Vinay Kumar bowling like Malinga in the last match, Jayawardene said, "Vinay can come up with amazing different. We should encourage that. Like Brendon McCullum's 'scoop' shot. You need to give confidence that."

On whether he would favor chasing on Monday, the former Sri Lanka head said, "It depends on the wicket. Wickets are dissimilar and we are playing all over India. Some wickets, it is easier to chase, some we will put runs on the board and protect."

McCullum, who was also here, said he would carry on playing his ‘scoop’ shots and trying to improve on it.

"I will keep trying on it to put pressure on resistance." he said. Asked if he would take over the captaincy from Jayawardene if the Sri Lankan depart midway in the IPL, McCullum said, "We are attractive confident Mahela will stay back."

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