Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 4 Num 273 Fri. March 05, 2004  
   
Sports


Australia's mixed day


Australia strike bowler Brett Lee sustained an ankle injury during his team's 245-run victory over a Sri Lanka President's XI on Thursday.

Lee, who completed figures of four for 29 in the first innings following an explosive spell with the new ball, hobbled off the field during the hosts' second innings after bowling just 3.4 overs.

Scans showed no signs of serious structural damage but there is doubt over Lee's availability for the first Test starting on Monday in Galle.

"It is a big concern, especially the way he bowled in the first innings here," skipper Ricky Ponting told reporters.

"He bowled quick and swung the ball a lot and we had hoped he could do that in the first Test," he added.

"He feared the worst straight away but the scans have come up pretty clear today so we will keep a close eye on him over the weekend and that everything comes up ok for Monday."

There was positive news, though, for the Australians as spinners Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill shared five wickets.

Australia declared on their overnight 250 for four, setting an unlikely 569-run victory, before dismissing the President's XI for 323 in 85.2 overs.

MacGill followed his three wickets in the first innings to take three for 57 and Warne claimed two for 79, dismissing Russel Arnold and Kaushal Lokuarachchi.

Both leg spinners could play in the Galle Test.

Sri Lanka are due to finalise their Test squad later on Thursday.