Mitchell Johnson powers Australia to emphatic triumph

Published on 29/12/2012 02:13

FIERCE bowling by a revitalised Mitchell Johnson powered Australia to victory yesterday by an innings and 201 runs against Sri Lanka in a Boxing Day Test that ended inside three days at the MCG.

Johnson – eight short of a second Test century earlier in the day when Australia were dismissed for 460 in reply to Sri Lanka’s first-innings 156 – captured two for 16, injured two top-order batsmen and effected a run-out as the 
tourists were skittled for 103.

Sri Lanka had lost seven wickets midway through day three’s second session but, with Prasanna Jayawardene and Chanaka Welagedara unable to bat, and Kumar Sangakkara unable to return having retired hurt on 27, the Australians were home and dry. The trouncing meant Australia retained the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy.

In Ahmedabad, meanwhile, India levelled the two-match Twenty20 series against Pakistan with an exciting 11-run win.

Yuvraj Singh and Ashok Dinda starred with bat and ball respectively, the former seeing the hosts to 192 for five with 72 in 36 balls. Dinda then took up the battle taking three for 36, including Pakistan’s top-scorer Mohammed Hafeez for 55.