COLOMBO, 26 February 2004 — Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke plundered 68 off just 11 overs as Australia survived a mid-innings slump to beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in the third One-Day International here yesterday.

Chasing a modest 227-run target, Australia slipped from 133-2 to 159-5 in the space of seven overs before Symonds (45 not out) and Clarke (31 not out) steered them home with nine balls to spare in the day-night match. Australia now lead the five-match series 2-1.

Fast bowler Jason Gillespie also played a big role, taking the first three wickets in his incisive opening spell to restrict the hosts to a small total despite a fighting 80 from Mahela Jayawardene.

Misfortune had struck Australia thrice before Symonds and Clarke eased the pressure with a couple of powerful shots in testing conditions.

Skipper Ricky Ponting (63), who became the first Australian to complete 1,000 runs in One-Dayers against Sri Lanka, inside-edged a Chaminda Vaas delivery on to his stumps after adding 129 for the third wicket with Martyn. Martyn (62) was run out backing up following a smart piece of fielding by spinner Sanath Jayasuriya off his own bowling and then Bevan (10) was also caught short of the crease while going for the second run.

Symonds and Clarke then held their nerve to shatter Sri Lanka’s hopes. The pair swung the game Australia’s way in the 44th over, with Clarke hitting a six off leg-spinner Upul Chandana and Symonds smashing a four in the same over.

“We needed a good partnership after losing a couple of quick wickets. They (Symonds and Clarke) did a very good job,” said Ponting.

Left-arm fast bowler Vaas, hero of Sri Lanka’s one-run win in the previous game, posed the main threat when he removed openers Matthew Hayden (three) and Adam Gilchrist (nought) before dismissing Ponting.

His brilliant effort was still not good enough to stop Australia as Symonds and Clarke batted with great responsibility to ensure Gillespie’s superb spell did not go waste. Gillespie wrecked the Sri Lankan top order in his sharp eight-over spell, surprising the batsmen with extra bounce to dismiss skipper Marvan Atapattu, Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara.

“We needed a couple of early wickets to put the opposition on the back foot on a pitch which was a bit slow,” said Gillespie, who was named man of the match. Jayawardene held the innings together, putting on 58 for the fifth wicket with Dilshan Tillakaratne (30) and as many runs for the next with Chandana (34).

Lower-order batsmen Vaas and Kumar Dharmasena chipped in 24 runs apiece as Sri Lanka scored 80 in the last 10 overs. “I think we still did not bat well enough after winning a good toss,” said Atapattu.

Pakistan Less of a Challenge Than Australia – Ganguly

Meanwhile, India believe they can achieve their first Test series victory in Pakistan following their impressive recent performances in Australia, captain Saurav Ganguly said in Calcutta yesterday.

“Pakistan is a challenge, but I am sure it is not going to be as big as Australia,” Ganguly said. “Australia are definitely a superior side. We are pretty confident after our tour of Australia,” he said. “To be honest, we are going to Pakistan in a much better frame of mind.”

India face a huge challenge on their first full tour of Pakistan for 14 years, which starts next month, having failed to win any of their 20 Tests there. But their confidence of playing abroad has been bolstered by the 1-1 Test series draw in Australia, when they confounded predictions of a drubbing by the world champions.

India will play five One-Dayers in Pakistan followed by three Tests on a tour that has generated huge interest among millions of cricket-mad fans on both sides of the border. But Ganguly said his players would not be distracted. “I don’t think the boys should have any problem in focusing on cricket,” he said. “They know their performances will be watched all over the world.”

Ganguly thinks India and Pakistan should play each other more often. “It will definitely help to reduce tension and hype over cricket,” he said. “I don’t think the crowds and tension in Pakistan are going to be that bad.”

Dissent Rules Have Players in Strait-Jackets: Alderman

Former Australian Test bowler Terry Alderman fears tough guidelines on player behavior are turning modern-day cricketers into statues.

Alderman says he fears the ICC’s code of conduct could inhibit the performance of players because they may become overly concerned about breaching the rules.