Women's Cricket in Australia - Shooting Stars 2004
Sri Lanka Tour

(13th Sept) - The Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars, Australia's U23 team has won its fifth and final match of its tour to Sri Lanka.

This 3 day match was played at the Kettarama International Ground against Sri Lanka.

Australia won the toss and batted, reaching 234 in the 89th over. Opener Sarah Edwards lead the way with 97, batting for two sessions. Julie Hunter was next best with 44, batting at #9. Kate Blackwell (26) and Kelly Applebee (20) were the only other batters to reach 20.

The Sri Lankan team kept the pressure on throughout the innings - Siriwardene had the best figures of 4/47 off 27 while de Alwis took 2/32 off 7.4.

In reply, Sri Lanka were all out for 132 in the 81st over handing the Shooting Stars a 102 run lead. Siriwardene backed up her bowling, top scoring with 49. Indika (21) was the only other batter to reach 20. Sarah Aley took 3/20 off 13 while Sarah Andrews took 3/24 off 22.

Australia rattled up 8/150 in the 37th over before declaring to set up the match for an exciting finish with Sri Lanka requiring 253 for victory.

Julie Woerner (47), captain Leah Poulton (40) and Blackwell (24) were the main contributors while de Alwis took 6/36 of 10.4.

Australia secured an easy victory by 140 runs when they dismissed Sri Lanka for 112 in the 68th over. Captain Dolewatte held her ground for 32 off 159 while only 'keeper Ekanayake (26) provided any real support.

Kirsten Pike took 3/0 off 8.2 overs and was well supported by Blackwell (2/11 off 5) and Laura Bates (2/29 off 19).

(9th Sept) -  The Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars, Australia's U23 team has won its fourth game on its tour to Sri Lanka.

This match was played at the Moratuwa International Ground against Sri Lanka A and despite heavy rain in the days leading up to the match, play got underway on time.

Australia won the toss and batted, reaching 9/244 of its 50 overs. Julie Woerner, batting at 7, continued her fine form as she lead the way with 39 off 44. Captain Leah Poulton made 33 off 38, Sarah Andrews remained unbeaten on 31 off 31 and Sarah Aley made 30 off 60.

Dilrushki was the best of the Sri Lankan A bowlers with 4/37 off 7 while Fernando took 2/38.

Sri Lanka A were all out for 87 in the 49th over to lose by 157 runs. Opener Polgampola top scored with 25 off 122 while Samanmali Perera was the only other batter to reach double figures with 13 off 25.

Kate Blackwell took 4/8 off 4.2 while Kirsten Pike took 3/15 off 8. Poulton also chipped in with 2/10 off 4.

Australia's final match is a 3 day match against Sri Lanka, starting on 10 September, at the same ground.

(7th Sept) - The Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars, Australia's U23 team has drawn its third match on its tour to Sri Lanka.

This match was played at the Moratuwa International Ground. Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field.

The match was marred by rain interruptions and was eventually reduced to a 25 over a side match before rain caused the abandonment of play at 4.04pm.

Sarah Edwards led the way with 51 off 77 and shared an opening stand of 113 with captain Leah Poulton (48 off 76). de Alwis was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers with 2/18 off 7.5. Dolewatte and Siriwardene also picked a wicket apiece.

Sri Lanka were 1/5 off 1.3 overs in reply. Sarah Andrews picked up the only wicket.

Australia's next match, the final ODI, is on 8 September. This will be followed by a 3 day match starting on 10 September.

(6th Sept) - The Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars, Australia's U23 team has won its second match on its tour to Sri Lanka.

This match was again played at the Kattarama International Ground, this time Australia won the toss and elected to bat. They reached 9/215 off their 50 overs.

Julie Woerner top scored with 50 and was well supported by Kelly Applebee (35), Jodie Purves (30) and Kate Blackwell (28). Woerner and Blackwell shared a 54 runs partnership for the second wicket. This was followed by a 50 run partnership for the 3rd wicket between Blackwell and Applebee.

Sandamali Dolewatte lead the way with the ball, taking 3/39 off 8 while Suivine de Alwis took 2/45.

Sri Lanka made a better fist of their innings than the first match, this time batting out their 50 overs to reach 9/155. Eshani Kaushayla again top scored with 41 off 72. Indika Kankanamage was the only other batter to pass 20 with 24 off 31.

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