Pacemen Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc bowled Australia tovictory over Sri Lanka in the first Hobart Test today, claiming six wickets inthe final session for a thrilling win.
The Sri Lankans looked to be batting out for a draw untilSiddle and Starc struck to secure Australia's first win of the home season,after losing to South Africa 1-0 in the recent three-Test series.
Starc claimed the last four wickets to fall to end with fivefor 63, while Siddle was named man of the match after his four for 50 to finishwith nine wickets for the match.
Australia found it hard going to gouge out the batsmen on afifth-day pitch until the wickets tumbled in the final two hours.
They got the wicket of Mahela Jayawardene before lunch,Kumar Sangakkara in the middle session and the remaining six wickets in thefinal session after the tourists appeared headed for a morale-boosting draw.
Siddle struck in the fourth over after tea when AngeloMathews needlessly flicked outside his off stump and nicked to Matthew Wade for19, giving the Australians a glimmer of victory.
Mathews, who is in line to replace Mahela Jayawardene ascaptain after the current tour, batted for 61 balls and put on 50 runs for thefifth wicket with Samaraweera.
Siddle gave the Australians more hope when he trappedSamaraweera leg before wicket for 49 off 140 balls.
A few overs later Prasanna Jayawardene, who has scored fourTest centuries, could not avoid a spitting delivery from Starc and gloved toMike Hussey at second slip for 21.
Starc bowled a beautiful delivery to entice an edge offNuwan Kulasekara and he was caught behind for nine heading into the final 15overs
