Sydney, Oct. 27: Sri Lanka XI tuned up for their Twenty20 and one-day internationals against Australia with a 23-run victory over New South Wales in a rain-affected T20 match in Sydney on Wednesday.
The Lankans put on 167/4 off their 20 overs and NSW in reply finished with 99/2 off 14 overs with victory coming under the Duckworth-Lewis method after rain intervened early in the NSW innings.
Sri Lanka face Australia in a T20 international in Perth on Sunday followed by three ODIs next month.
Acting captain Mahela Jayawardene hammered 59 off 35 balls.
Jayawardene, who was leading the team as regular skipper Kumar Sangakarra rested, took full advantage of an understrength Blues attack after winning the toss.
He struck nine fours and put on 57 with fellow opener Tillakaratne Dilshan (21 off 19). Jayawardene added 45 for the second wicket with Dinesh Chandimal (24 off 18) and was eventually third man out, falling to opposing skipper and Australian T20 representative Stephen O’Keefe (1/21). Former Test paceman Brett Lee (0/44) was unable to impress after missing out on a place in the Australian team for the T20 and three one-day matches.
Scores: Sri Lanka XI 167/4 in 20 overs (Jayawardene 59, Copeland 1/27, O’Keefe 1/21) bt NSW 99/2 in 14 overs (Hughes 30, Khawaja 32 n.o.; Randiv 2/13) by D/L method.