Lower order rescues Australia A on day one

Counter-attacking half centuries from Josh Philippe and Aaron Hardie, and a career high score by Nathan McAndrew, have rescued Australia A from a perilous position on day one against Sri Lanka A.

Arriving to the crease at 4-49, wicketkeeper-batter Philippe took the aggressive approach but narrowly missed his third first-class century, out for 94 off 102 balls.

He combined with Hardie for a 125-run sixth-wicket partnership after Australia A had slumped to 5-98 in the 22nd over.

Philippe hit three sixes in his innings, including one that brought up his half-century as he reached off just 58 balls.

Allrounder Hardie found the boundary five times in his 83-ball 62 as he and Philippe lifted Australia A out of the mire.

Image Id: 3FA723BD9D7E41F7BEF190D59A66083F Image Caption: Head scored 39 from 29 balls // SLC

Although the pair fell in the space of three runs, Nathan McAndrew and Mark Steketee then cashed in on the new position of strength, combining for a 118-run eighth-wicket partnership.

McAndrew was the last batter out for 92 (132) – his highest first-class score – and Steketee proved a valuable support act, scoring 47.

The visitors finished day one all out 379 in the first of two four-day 'A' matches at Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota.

Image Id: F7C7DE1597A94880B99A44ED20BF39F0 Image Caption: Henry Hunt departs for a duck, leaving Australia A 3-15 // SLC

Earlier, Australia A captain Marcus Harris won the toss and chose to bat but his side was in desperate trouble early.

Left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka was on fire with the new ball, taking three wickets in his first three overs to leave Australia A reeling at 3-15.

Matthew Renshaw was out bowled without offering a shot, and two balls later his opening partner Harris was also out bowled attempting a forceful straight drive.

Henry Hunt was the third to go, unable to keep out a yorker from Madushanka that cannoned into his middle stump.

Despite coming in at 2-3, Travis Head played a trademark aggressive knock and it looked to pay off as he hit five fours in his first 20 balls.

But the spin of Lakshitha Manasinghe brought him undone, bowled by an arm ball for 39 off just 29 balls.

Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka, 2022

Sri Lanka T20 squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lahiru Madushanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lakshan Sandakan. Standby: Jeffrey Vandersay, Niroshan Dickwella

Australia T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner, Matthew Wade

June 7: Australia won by 10 wickets

June 8: Australia won by three wickets

June 11: Sri Lanka won by four wickets

Sri Lanka ODI squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Niroshan Dickwella, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Madushanka, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan

Australia ODI squad: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

June 14: First ODI, Kandy, 7pm AEST

June 16: Second ODI, Kandy, 7pm AEST

June 19: Third ODI, Colombo, 7pm AEST

June 21: Fourth ODI, Colombo, 7pm AEST

June 24: Fifth ODI, Colombo, 7pm AEST

Sri Lanka Test squad (provisional): Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamika Karunaratne, Ramesh Mendis, Mohamed Shiraz, Shiran Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lakshitha Rasanjana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suminda Lakshan

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

June 29 - July 3: First Test, Galle, 2.30pm AEST

July 8-12: Second Test, Galle, 2.30pm AEST

All Sri Lanka v Australia international fixtures will be screened live on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports

Australia A fixtures

Australia A squad: Scott Boland, Aaron Hardie, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Henry Hunt, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Nic Maddinson, Nathan McAndrew, Todd Murphy, Jimmy Peirson, Josh Philippe, Matt Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Mark Steketee

Sri Lanka A one-day squad: Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Niroshan Dickwella, Lahiru Udara, Lasith Croospulle, Oshada Fernando, Pabasara Waduge, Kamindu Mendis, Ashen Bandara, Janitha Liyanage, Sahan Arachchi, Pulina Tharanga, Dunith Wellalage, Dananjaya Lakshan, Shiran Fernando (will not play due to injury), Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan, Nishan Madushka, Ashen Daniel,Nisala Tharaka

June 8: Australia A won by seven wickets

June 10: Sri Lanka A won by four wickets

June 14-17: first-class tour match v Sri Lanka A, Hambantota

June 21-24: first-class tour match v Sri Lanka A, Hambantota