Philippe stars again as Aus A set up final day push

Josh Philippe's super form continued with another half-century as he pushed Australia A into a healthy position in their tour match against Sri Lanka A in Hambantota.

Only 54 overs were possible on day three before bad light intervened just before the tea break, but there was enough time for Phillipe to reach 69 off 70 balls to complement his 94 off 102 in the first innings. 

Philippe and Nic Maddinson (59 off 95 balls) came together at 3-67 and produced a century stand to put the Aussies into a position of power.

West Australian Philippe smashed 10 fours in his innings, including three in a row off left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya in the 33rd over.

 

Image Id: D0E30E6783154D8492CF803D8BACCFC7 Image Caption: Maddinson (59 off 95) put on 111 with Philippe on day three // SLC

Neither of the pair could go on to three figures, but when the umpires called stumps Australia A were 5-212 with a lead of 317 runs. 

Aaron Hardie (four not out) and Jimmy Peirson (13 not out), who only came into the game yesterday as a replacement for Travis Head, were the unbeaten batters. 

Beginning the day 129 runs in arrears, Sri Lanka A's final two wickets lasted only 8.1 overs with Mark Steketee taking both to finish with innings figures of 3-51.

 

Image Id: A70D1FDEC08640D28597175C322DFBBF Image Caption: Australia A walk off after bowling Sri Lanka A out for 274 in the first innings // SLC

With a 105-run lead, Australia A's openers came out with intent and Marcus Harris and Matthew Renshaw scored at six runs per over for the first 10 overs. 

The visitors avoided a top-order collapse that saw them lose 3-15 in the first innings, but there was a hint of déjà vu as Renshaw, Harris and Henry Hunt all fell in the space of six runs to give the hosts a sniff. 

Hunt's forgetful match continued as he chipped a simple catch to midwicket to complete a pair of ducks. 

After tomorrow's final day of this match, the two sides will face off again in another four-day encounter at the same venue from June 21. 

Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka, 2022

June 7: Australia won first T20 by 10 wickets

June 8: Australia won second T20 by three wickets

June 11: Sri Lanka won third T20 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: Australia won by two wickets (DLS)

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: four-day match v Sri Lanka A, Hambantota

June 21-24: four-day match v Sri Lanka A, Hambantota