Aussie batsmen look to fire - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Aussie batsmen look to fire

By Michael Donaldson 13/07/2004 05:53:41 AM Comments (0)

Australia will be chasing quick runs this morning in order to have as much time as possible to bowl out Sri Lanka on the final day of the cricket Test in Cairns.

On a day when Shane Warne can claim the wicket-taking world record, Australia will resume on 2-194 with Matthew Hayden on 68 and Damien Martyn on 52.

The Aussies lead by 256 overall but probably needs another 100 runs in the first hour in order to set Sri Lanka a tough target and leave their bowlers time to claim 10 wickets, which won't be easy on a superb batting deck.

Warne needs five of those wickets if he wants to pass world record-holder Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka.

Warne claimed 3-129 in Sri Lanka's first innings of 455 on a rain-shortened fourth day and now has 523 wickets to Murali's 527.

Playing hours have been extended because of yesterday's two hour rain delay and providing the weather co-operates there will be 105 overs on offer today.

Fast bowler Jason Gillespie said Warne was capable of doing damage even though the pitch was still perfect for batting and didn't feature the rough spots usually found on a day five deck.

"He's every chance (to take five wickets)," Gillespie said.

"Shane's a quality bowler and he'll be able to extract something out of that.

"Anything can happen on day five of a Test match and I'm sure he'll have plenty of opportunities to take wickets."

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