5 centuries that were overshadowed

#3 Tillakaratne Dilshan: 147 vs Australia at Hobart, December 2012

Dilshan dominated Australia at Hobart, a rare feat for the visitors

Sri Lanka’s tours of Australia have mostly resulted in the hosts thrashing the visitors in Test matches. In 13 Tests so far, Australia have ten victories and three draws. Occasions of the visitors dominating the mighty Aussies have been rare and one such game arrived in Hobart in 2012 but was unfortunately overshadowed by Peter Siddle’s terrific pace bowling and Mike Hussey’s composed knock of 115 runs.

In the first Test against Sri Lanka in December 2012, Australia won the toss and their batsmen made the most of a good batting wicket by scoring 450 runs in the first innings. Hussey, with his trademark steel like determination and solid technique, piled up 115 runs.

In reply, Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals due to the Aussies’ pace artillery of Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Starc and Siddle breathing fire on the pitch. With Sri Lanka four down for 87 runs, the Test seemed to be yet another example of Australia’s dominance over Sri Lanka.

However, Angelo Mathews tagged with Tillakaratne Dilshan who, surprisingly, had survived the Aussie pace attack. The duo pushed Sri Lanka’s score beyond 200. Siddle returned with the new ball and ran through Sri Lanka’s lower batting order claiming five wickets for 54 runs. He was aggressive, accurate and relentless with his sharp pace.

Sri Lankan batsmen had no answer to the bowling, however, one man stood tall amidst this havoc and scored a brilliant hundred. Dilshan defended the fort for 273 balls scoring 147 runs and gave the Lankans some hope of getting something out of the game.

For a batsman known as ‘only a sub-continent’ player, Dilshan’s heroic efforts at Hobart against a deadly Aussie bowling can never be forgotten.