Hilfenhaus holds up on-song Senanayake
Ben Hilfenhaus' bowling is the most important thing for Australia in this match but it was his batting that dug the A team out of a hole on the opening day against Sri Lanka A
Cricinfo staff
18-Jun-2010
Ben Hilfenhaus' bowling is the most important thing for Australia in this match but it was his batting that dug the A team out of a hole on the opening day against Sri Lanka A in Brisbane. The hosts were 7 for 103 when Hilfenhaus, who has been out since last year with a knee tendon problem, arrived to partner Steve O'Keefe and lift them to a more competitive 208.
Sachithra Senanayake, the offspinner, completed a stunning day when he ended the 105-run partnership and also finished the innings to claim 8 for 70. The figures were his best in a first-class game and he started the damage by removing the first six batsmen as the hosts slipped to 6 for 92. Senanayake's hopes for all 10 wickets were ended by Dammika Prasad, who removed Peter Forrest (12) on the way to 2 for 21.
O'Keefe was knocked over by Senanayake for an innings-high 61 while Hilfenhaus fell to Prasad for a career-best 42. Sri Lanka finished at 1 for 17, with Hilfenhaus bowling two overs and O'Keefe taking the wicket of Tharanga Paranavitana for 3.
