Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 29 Fri. June 25, 2004  
   
Sports


Who says Langer's injured


Australian Test opener Justin Langer made light of a foot injury to flail the Sri Lankan bowlers for 151 and lead the Northern Territory Chief Minister's XI to a solid score here on Thursday.

Langer's innings lifted the invitational side to 364 for seven at the close of the first day of the four-day lead-up tour match to next week's first of two Tests here.

The captain for the NT side had been in doubt after badly bruising his left foot at training on Wednesday.

Langer showed little effect of the painful injury as he scampered between wickets and smashed several fours and a six around Darwin's huge Marrara Oval.

The little left-hander steadied the innings after Ian Redpath (0) and Australian middle order batsman Simon Katich (0) were dismissed with just four runs on the board.

Locals Martin Brown and Darren Treumer's seventh wicket stand of 94 late in the day ensured the home team was well on top at the close of play.

Treumer was not out on 49 with Anthony Dent the next batsman to come in. The best of the Sri Lankan bowlers was 20-year-old Sri Lankan newcomer Lasith Malinga who took 4-75, dismissing three players for ducks.

Malinga made the initial breakthroughs, picking up the early wickets of Katich and local Ian Redpath.

Langer took up the challenge, and built a 181-run partnership with Rhett Bowden, before Bowden was caught off from Upul Chandana (2-104) for 75.

The wicket sparked a middle order collapse before tea as the NT side slumped to 213 for five.

Langer was the sixth wicket to fall after tea when the side's total was on 274.

Dropped when he was on 90, Langer was eventually bowled by Farveez Maharoof after 300 minutes at the crease.