Date-stamped : 24 Aug96 - 10:33 Singer Cup Warm-up Match Sri Lanka Colts XI v Australia Police grounds, Bambalapitiya 22 August 1996 Aussies scraps thro' in first outing By Sa'adi Thawfeeq The Australian cricketers in their first outing in Sri Lanka were given a good sweat out by the Sri Lankan Colts XI who went down by five runs in a 50-over practice game played at the Police grounds, Bambalapitiya on Thursday. Chasing an Australian total of 251 for 7 of which Ricky Ponting made a stylish 103 off 119 balls (2 sixes, 9 fours) before retir- ing, the Colts XI attacked the target through half-centuries from Indika de Saram (69 off 80 balls, 11 fours) and Mahela Jayawarde- na (50 off 51 balls, 7 fours) before losing the tempo towards the latter stages. The Australians were quite conspicuous in their green, white and yellow shorts and short sleeves attire which became a talking point among the spectators. The match was played under heavy security with spectators being bodily searched and all parcels examined thoroughly. "I am very pleased with the work out. Your young side played very well,'' said Australian coach Geoff Marsh after the match. "I was very much impressed with the batting of Mahela Jayawardena and Indika de Saram. They showed good technique,'' said Marsh. "Apart from Ponting, the top order didn't get going. We should get it right by the time the tournament comes around. We are com- ing out of something like four to five months without any crick- et. There should be a few stiff muscles after yesterday's game,'' he said. Australia are likely to rest the Waugh brothers, Steve and Mark for today's one-day game at the same venue against a Sri Lanka Board President's XI. They are both due to play for the World XI in a benefit match along with Ian Healy, against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Saturday. Source :: The Daily News (http://www.lanka.net/) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)