Test peters to draw

Press, 13 December 1989, Page 80

Test peters to draw

NZPA-AAP Brisbane A splendid 164 from Australian opener Mark Taylor was the outstanding feature of a meaningless fifth and final day yesterday in the first test against Sri Lanka at the Brisbane Cricket Ground. At stumps Australia was 6 for 375 in its second innings, Steve Waugh the second highest scorer on 57. Australia made 367 in its first innings and Sri Lanka, expected by many to be easybeats in this test, replied with a fine 418 including a century from Aravinda De Silva. De Silva’s 167 gained him the man of the match honour but Australia will be pleased with Taylor’s stand yesterday. He was given a life on 36 when Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Gamini Wickremasinghe missed a stumping chance off Asoka De Silva. From there on he powered on to 150-plus in meticulous fashion. • Geoff Lawson paid the price for Australia’s frustrating draws with New Zealand and Sri Lanka when he was dumped from the side for the second test against Sri Lanka, starting in Hobart on Saturday. The Australian selectors have revived the intermittent career of the South Australian leg spinner, Peter Sleep, who has played 12 tests spanning a decade. In choosing Sleep, who has the ordinary figures of nine wickets at 57.11 so far this season, the selectors have rejected claims for a test spot from his South Australian team-mate off spinner,. Tim May, and New South Wales off spinner, Peter Taylor. The Australians found four pace bowlers a key to Ashes success in England but the pacemen have been unable to bowl out New Zealand or Sri Larika twice in the first two tests this season. Lawson’s sacking is another twist in his drawn out career. This was his forty-sixth test and he has 180 wicke£ at test level but has been unable to findj the line or penetration he gained in England.