Australian fast bowler Trent Copeland boosted his hopes of making his Test debut in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka with a five-wicket haul in a practice match on Thursday.
Published: Aug 25, 2011, 08:28 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 25, 2011, 08:28 PM (IST)
Trent Copeland celebrates after taking a wicket on the opening day of the three-day tour game © AFP
Colombo: Aug 25, 2011
Australian fast bowler Trent Copeland boosted his hopes of making his Test debut in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka with a five-wicket haul in a practice match on Thursday.
Copeland, 25, finished with 5-47 off 20 overs as the tourists bowled out a Sri Lanka Board XI for 258 in the first innings on the opening day of the three-day game in Colombo.
Paceman Ryan Harris and left-arm spinner Michael Beer bagged two wickets apiece, while off-spinner Nathan Lyon took one wicket.
Australia were 26 for no loss in reply at stumps.
The three-Test series starts in Galle next Wednesday, with the remaining two matches to be played in Pallekele (September 8-12) and Colombo (Sept 16-20).
The hosts made an impressive start after electing to bat as Tharanga Paranavitana (49) and Lahiru Thirimanne (32) put on 82 runs for the opening wicket before Copeland struck twice.
The Australian paceman broke the partnership when he had Thirimanne caught by wicket-keeper Brad Haddin and then trapped Paranavitana leg-before.
The hosts were comfortably placed at 170-2 following a 72-run stand for the third wicket between Dinesh Chandimal (59) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (21) but lost four wickets in the space of 12 runs, with Copeland taking three. (AFP)
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka Board XI 258 (Dinesh Chandimal 59, Tharanga Paranavitana 49, Thisara Perera 36, L Thirimanne 32, B. Rajapaksa 21; Trent Copeland 5-47, Ryan Harris 2 for 39, Michael Beer 2 for 42, Nathan Lyon 1-71) vs Australia 26 for no loss (Philip Hughes 24*)
