Murali returns as Sri Lanka wins first match

HASTINGS, Victoria, Dec 28 AAP - Muttiah Muralitharan bowled his first overs of the summer as Sri Lanka had its first win on tour, beating country Victoria by 80 runs at Hastings.

But Wisden's "best bowler ever" gave Geelong batsman Ben Patrick a story to tell for the rest of his life.

Patrick, who top-scored for country with 41, hit Muralitharan for six.

"It was all luck, it just hit the right part of the bat," Patrick said.

"I wanted to face him, it didn't worry me if he got me out because of what he's done. It was a great experience."

The off-spinner bowled three gentle overs for 0-13 in his first spell since a hernia operation in Melbourne last month.

Muralitharan spent most of the day signing autographs and posing for photos, and his bowling further delighted the 8,150 gathered 70km south-east of Melbourne.

His return put further gloss on the tourists' break through win, after they made 7-219 from 40 overs and bowled out country Victoria for 139.

Sri Lanka was hopeful of having Muralitharan return in early January but the off-spinner said his recovery was at too early a stage to predict a comeback date.

"It's coming along slowly, but I don't know when I'll be able to play (seriously)," he said.

"Today was just for fun."

Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya said Muralitharan was given a bowl to determine where his recovery was placed.

"He looked OK but straight away he can't do much, he's just started today," he said.

"We'll have to see how he's bowling and see how he goes."

Thilan Samaraweera (58) and Chaminda Vaas (15 not out) took Sri Lanka past the 200-mark with 20 runs off their last over.

Samaraweera and Russel Arnold (41) put the tourists back on track after a slow middle stretch with a 54-run partnership.

Arnold then took 3-44 to help Sri Lanka take 5-0 to clean up the country tail.

The match was played in a carnival-like atmosphere, but Jayasuriya said a victory was vital.

"Winning is very important at the moment because we haven't done well and any win is very important for the confidence," he said.

"When you're losing the confidence is down and it's part of the game but I think the boys realise they can come back and we have to do well in the next game (Australia A on January 1 at the MCG)."

Proceeds from today's match went towards extending a cancer hospital in Colombo.