| 0.0 : TOSS - Australia have won the toss and they will have a BOWL first. |
| Australia (Playing XI) - David Warner, Aaron Finch (C), Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (WK), Ashton Agar (In for Adam Zampa), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. |
| Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka (In for Ashen Bandara), Kusal Mendis (WK), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara and Binura Fernando, |
| Aaron Finch, the Australian skipper says that bowling first will be the best strategy on this wicket. Feels that they can't look into the future and need to stay in the present. Reckons that it's a good wicket with enough grass on it. Informs that Adam Zampa is out due to Covid and will be replaced by Ashton Agar. |
| Sri Lankan skipper, Dasun Shanaka says that they are well prepared and are looking forward to playing here. Adds that the camp is very confident since the Asia Cup and they are able to chase down good totals. Informs that Pathum Nissanka is back and everything else remains the same. |
| We are minutes away from the start of play but first, the two sets of players come out to the middle and line up for their respective national anthems. It will be the national anthem of Sri Lanka first followed by the Australian national anthem. |
| Aussie quick Mitchell Starc is down for a quick chat. Starc says that in the previous game it wasn't their best performance in any department and there has been a chat about going back to basics and focusing on the next game. On being asked about Adam Zampa, Starc says that he has mild symptoms and with still four games left, it gives Ashton Agar to play on his home ground. Reckons that the wicket here is quick and bouncy but they haven't played here of late. Tells the facility here is brilli |
| Done with the pre-match formalities and it is now time to get play underway. The two umpires are out in the middle and so are the players of Australia. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis are the openers for Sri Lanka. Josh Hazlewood has been handed the new ball and he is raring to go. Let's play... |
| 0.1 : Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Josh Hazlewood begins with a full delivery just outside off, Pathum Nissanka pushes at the ball and gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket where the fielder fumbles but no run is taken. |
| 0.2 : Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Bowls this on a good length and angled into the pads, Pathum Nissanka tucks this down to wide fine leg and takes a single to get off the mark. |
| 0.3 : Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Mendis, This is served full and swinging away after pitching just outside off, Kusal Mendis gets a thickish edge towards third man through the slip cordon to take a single and get off the mark as well. |
| 0.4 : Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Nice movement in the air for Josh Hazlewood as he bowls this on a good length and outside off, Pathum Nissanka hangs his bat out to dry but is beaten. |
| 0.5 : Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Goes full this time and well outside the off pole, Pathum Nissanka swings at this but misses as the ball goes through to the keeper. |
| 0.6 : Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Continues bowling full and outside the off stump, Pathum Nissanka knocks this straight to the cover fielder. 2 runs have come from the first over. |
| Pat Cummins to speed in from the opposite end. |
| 1.1 : Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, Pat Cummins starts off with a full delivery angled into the stumps from outside off, Kusal Mendis blocks this to the off side. |
| 1.2 : Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! That is the first boundary for Sri Lanka! Pat Cummins bowls this back of a length and outside the off stump, Kusal Mendis swings his bat hard and gets an outside edge that flies over the first slip fielder towards the third man fence. A shade of luck but it is four runs nonetheless. |
| 1.3 : Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, This is bowled short as well and in line with the stumps, Kusal Mendis looks to make room and slashes hard but gets beaten. |
| 1.4 : Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, This is bowled quick on a good length and angled into the pads, Kusal Mendis misses his clip and gets hit on the thigh pad. |
| 1.5 : Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, OUT! Pat Cummins draws first blood, and the opening partnership has been broken early by the Aussies! He bowls this back of a length and aimed at the batter, Kusal Mendis looks to pull but gets a top edge that flies high towards mid-wicket. Mitchell Marsh makes no mistake as he takes an easy catch and this is just the start Australia wanted. |
| Dhananjaya de Silva is in at number 3. |
| 1.6 : Pat Cummins to Dhananjaya de Silva, This is full as well and aimed for the stumps, Dhananjaya de Silva flicks this towards mid-wicket. |
| 2.1 : Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Josh Hazlewood goes full and outside the off pole, Pathum Nissanka blocks this towards cover-point. |
| 2.2 : Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! That has been slapped away! Josh Hazlewood bowls this on a good length and follows the batter to the leg side as he looks to make room. Pathum Nissanka is able to swivel and whip this towards deep square leg for a boundary. |
| 2.3 : Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Goes full this time and outside off, Pathum Nissanka hits this uppishly and manages to clear the mid off fielder and add a couple of runs to his kitty. |
| 2.4 : Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Angled into the pads on a good length, Pathum Nissanka clips this towards square leg and takes a quick single. |
| 2.5 : Josh Hazlewood to Dhananjaya de Silva, Goes back to bowling full and outside the off stump, Dhananjaya de Silva strokes this to the left of mid off and takes an easy run. |
| 2.6 : Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, WIDE! Bangs this in short and strays down leg side, Pathum Nissanka looks to pull but misses and is called wide by the umpire. |
| Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, This is on a good length and just outside the off stump, Pathum Nissanka defends this to the right of point. 10 runs from this over and a good one for Sri Lanka. |
| 3.1 : Pat Cummins to Dhananjaya de Silva, Pat Cummins begins with a back-of-a-length delivery outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva gets on his toes and punches the ball wide of point for a single. |
| 3.2 : Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Bowls this on a good length and wide outside off, Pathum Nissanka taps the ball towards short third man. |
| 2.6 : Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, WIDE! Josh Hazlewood has got his radar off here! He angles this down leg on a good length, Pathum Nissanka looks to flick this fine but misses once again and the umpire indicates this is wide as well. There is a stifled appeal from the bowler but Matthew Wade behind the wicket does not seem interested. |
| 3.3 : Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, This is on a good length and outside the off pole, Pathum Nissanka looks to cut but misses as he is beaten by some extra bounce off the wicket. |
| 3.4 : Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Pulls his length back a fraction and angles this into the batter, Pathum Nissanka tucks this to the right of square leg and takes one. |
| 3.5 : Pat Cummins to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR! That has been beautifully timed! Pat Cummins serves this outside the off stump on a good length, Dhananjaya de Silva does not over-hit this as he guides the ball past the backward point fielder and gets four runs as this ball races across the surface. |
| 3.6 : Pat Cummins to Dhananjaya de Silva, This is outside the off stump and back of a length, Dhananjaya de Silva hangs his bat out to dry and gets beaten. |
| 4.1 : Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Mitchell Starc begins with a full delivery angled away from the batter from outside off, Pathum Nissanka looks to go for the expansive drive but misses. |
| 0.0 : Here comes the first change in bowling. Mitchell Starc comes on, replacing Josh Hazlewood. |
| 4.2 : Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Continues to take the ball away from the right-hander from outside the off pole, Pathum Nissanka looks to heave this across the line but is nowhere near the ball. |
| 4.3 : Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Inswinger this time, pitching in line with the stumps on a fuller length, Pathum Nissanka just gets an inside edge onto the pads as the ball rolls towards square leg for a single. |
| 4.4 : Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, This is on the pads on a fuller length, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to clip this leg side but the ball hits the pads and goes towards square leg as they take a leg bye. |
| 4.5 : Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Bowls this one on a shorter length and outside the off stump, Pathum Nissanka slashes wildly but is beaten by the bounce as the ball goes through to the keeper. |
| 4.6 : Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Goes back to bowling full and attacking the pads, Pathum Nissanka gets this off his legs towards fine leg and the take yet another leg bye. |
| Josh Hazlewood (2-0-12-0) comes from the opposite end now. |
| 5.1 : Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length, following the batter doing the leg side. Pathum Nissanka has a swipe across the line but is well beaten. |
| 5.2 : Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Shorter this time and at the body, Pathum Nissanka tries to go hard at it but ends up getting it off the gloves. Matthew Wade tries to scamper towards it but the ball falls safely around the leg gully region and the batters get a couple of runs. |
| 5.3 : Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Pathum Nissanka is taking his chances in the final over of the Powerplay. This is dug in short and outside off, Nissanka advances and looks to pull but gets a top edge that flies over the keeper's head and runs away into the fence. |
| 5.4 : Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Good length, around the top of off, Nissanka pushes it out on the off side. |
| 5.5 : Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Length again, outside off, Pathum Nissanka gets inside the line of the ball and looks to scoop it but doesn't quite get the connection. Fortunately for him, the ball falls safely around short fine leg and they get a run. |
| 5.6 : Josh Hazlewood to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR BYES! This one has taken off! Another bumper from Josh Hazlewood, over leg stump and Dhananjaya de Silva goes after it. The ball just hits the deck and goes over the jumping keeper's head for a boundary. At the end of the Powerplay, Sri Lanka are 36/1! |
| 6.1 : Ashton Agar to Pathum Nissanka, Ashton Agar comes into the attack now and straightaway darts one it at the toes. Pathum Nissanka works it 'round the corner and rotates the strike. |
| 6.2 : Ashton Agar to Dhananjaya de Silva, Fuller and around off, this is knocked down to long off for a single. |
| 6.3 : Ashton Agar to Pathum Nissanka, Quicker and flatter, coming on with the arm. Pathum Nissanka looks to flick it off the back foot but gets squared up. The ball hits him high on the pads and rolls away towards backward point. |
| 6.4 : Ashton Agar to Pathum Nissanka, Agar slides one into the pads, Nissanka looks to flick it away but gets an inside edge towards mid-wicket. |
| 6.5 : Ashton Agar to Pathum Nissanka, This one is speared in on off stump, Pathum Nissanka backs away and punches it down to long off for one. |
| 6.6 : Ashton Agar to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR! Flatter delivery around off, Dhananjaya de Silva advances and hammers it straight back past the bowler. The fielder from long off dives to his right but can't cut it off. |
| 7.1 : Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Marcus Stoinis has been handed the ball now and he starts off with a good-length ball close to the off pole. Pathum Nissanka stays back and guides it down to third man for a single. |
| 7.2 : Marcus Stoinis to Dhananjaya de Silva, Slower one, pitched up around middle, Dhananjaya de Silva backs away and lofts it down the ground for a couple of runs. |
| 7.3 : Marcus Stoinis to Dhananjaya de Silva, Unlucky! Back of a length and over middle, Dhananjaya de Silva steps out again and pulls it hard. The ball shatters the stumps at the other end and rolls towards covers. They only get a single. |
| 7.4 : Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Short of a length again, Pathum Nissanka pulls this one off the front foot and with great timing as well. Nissanka though finds the fielder at deep mid-wicket and will only get a single. |
| 7.5 : Marcus Stoinis to Dhananjaya de Silva, Good length, on off stump, de Silva hops on the back foot and nudges it out on the off side for a run. |
| 7.6 : Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Excellent running! Back of a length, close to the off stump. Nissanka stays on the back foot and dabs it down towards backward point for a quick single. The 50 is also up for Sri Lanka. |
| 8.2 : Ashton Agar to Pathum Nissanka, Slightly tossed up, around off, Pathum Nissanka steps out but has to check his shot and ends up blocking it. |
| 8.1 : Ashton Agar to Pathum Nissanka, Brilliant running yet again. This is quicker and darted into leg stump, Pathum Nissanka backs away and drives it towards cover for a quick single. The throw comes in at the bowler's end and it is a direct hit. The ball hit the stumps and rolls away as they get an extra run. It is sent upstairs though and the replays show that Nissanka was easily in. |
| 8.3 : Ashton Agar to Pathum Nissanka, Both these batters putting pressure on the Australian fielders now. A tad bit shorter and around middle, Nissanka nudges it away towards the vacant area in front of square on the off side. The throw at the bowler's end is fumbled by Agar and they steal the second run. |
| 8.4 : Ashton Agar to Pathum Nissanka, Two more! Quicker one at the pads, flicked away towards mid-wicket for yet another brace. |
| 8.5 : Ashton Agar to Pathum Nissanka, Agar drags it down a bit and bowls it outside off, Pathum Nissanka fetches it and pulls it down to long on for a single. |
| 8.6 : Ashton Agar to Dhananjaya de Silva, Leg bye! Flatter delivery, around leg stump, Dhananjaya de Silva misses the flick and the ball rolls off his pads onto the leg side. They get a leg bye. |
| 9.1 : Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, Back of a length, angling across the off stump. Dhananjaya de Silva stays back and keeps it down on the off side. |
| 9.2 : Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, This is full and wide from Starc, Dhananjaya de Silva stretches out and slices it away towards deep cover for a single. |
| 9.3 : Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Full and around off, drilled down to long off for one more. |
| 9.4 : Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, Starc keeps it full and at the stumps, Dhananjaya de Silva clears the front leg and thumps it along the ground to the right of long off. David Warner speeds across the turf and keeps it down to just a single. |
| 9.5 : Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Good fielding yet again. Short and outside off, Pathum Nissanka stays leg side of the ball and just ramps it wide of third man. Josh Hazlewood runs to his right and just manages to dab the ball in before going over the ropes. The batters get two. |
| 9.6 : Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Good length, around off, defended out onto the off side. At the halfway mark, Sri Lanka are 63/1! |
| DRINKS! The players will take some refreshments and reanalyze their plans. Australia got a wicket early but have not been able to take more after as Sri Lanka have been watchful and are accumulating runs at a steady pace. They have set a good platform for their big hitters to come and launch into an attack in the second half of the inning. The game could go either way from this point as more action is headed our way. |
| 10.1 : Marcus Stoinis to Dhananjaya de Silva, Marcus Stoinis starts the over after the break with a good length delivery outside the off stump, Dhananjaya de Silva steps across to the off side and looks to paddle this fine but misses. |
| 10.2 : Marcus Stoinis to Dhananjaya de Silva, Continues bowling on a good length and angled into the batter, Dhananjaya de Silva makes room and taps this towards cover to take a quick single. |
| 10.3 : Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Bowls this a fraction short and outside off, Pathum Nissanka cuts this to third man for a run. |
| 10.4 : Marcus Stoinis to Dhananjaya de Silva, WIDE! Bangs this one in short and in line with the stumps, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to pull this but does not have his eye on the ball as it goes through to the keeper. The umpire calls this wide. |
| Marcus Stoinis to Dhananjaya de Silva, What an effort from David Warner! He is outstanding on the field as he saves four runs for his team! Marcus Stoinis bowls this back of a length and outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva makes room and hits this uppishly towards the long off boundary, David Warner dives towards the ball and holds onto the catch as the momentum takes him beyond the boundary. He manages to flick the ball back into play as the batters take two runs. |
| 10.5 : Marcus Stoinis to Dhananjaya de Silva, FOUR! Edged and runs away for a boundary! This is on a shorter length and outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva gets bat on this and the ball flies to third man for four runs. |
| 10.6 : Marcus Stoinis to Dhananjaya de Silva, This is short as well and outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva pulls this to long on and takes one to keep strike. |
| 11.1 : Ashton Agar to Dhananjaya de Silva, Ashton Agar flights this one full and outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva strokes this to long off and takes a single. |
| 0.0 : Ashton Agar (2-0-14-0) is back on. |
| 11.2 : Ashton Agar to Pathum Nissanka, This is a touch shorter and angled into the pads, Pathum Nissanka clips this to deep square leg and takes a run. |
| 11.3 : Ashton Agar to Dhananjaya de Silva, OUT! CAUGHT! The partnership has been broken and it is Ashton Agar who gets the breakthrough! Bowls this full and outside the off stump, Dhananjaya de Silva shimmies down the wicket and looks to give himself room. He has to reach for the ball and manages to loft it wide off the long off fielder. David Warner runs to his left, jumps up and takes a fine catch to get Australia their second wicket. The opener has been electrifying on the field. |
| Charith Asalanka is the new man in. |
| 11.4 : Ashton Agar to Charith Asalanka, Around middle and off, Charith Asalanka just knocks it towards wide long on and collects a single. |
| 11.5 : Ashton Agar to Pathum Nissanka, This is sliding into the pads, Pathum Nissanka stays back and tucks it away behind square on the leg side for a run. |
| 11.6 : Ashton Agar to Charith Asalanka, Leg bye! Just a fraction shorter and around leg stump, Charith Asalanka looks to flick it fine but misses. The ball goes off the pads and towards short fine leg as they get a leg bye. |
| 12.1 : Mitchell Marsh to Charith Asalanka, Mitchell Marsh begins with a full delivery wide outside the off pole, Charith Asalanka drives this to deep cover and takes a couple of runs. |
| 12.2 : Mitchell Marsh to Charith Asalanka, This is on a good length and outside off with some pace taken off the ball. Charith Asalanka pushes at the ball and the ball lobs towards cover as they take a quick single. Glenn Maxwell is onto the ball in a flash and if his throw at the non-striker's end had hit, Pathum Nissanka was a goner. |
| 12.3 : Mitchell Marsh to Pathum Nissanka, This is short and outside off, Pathum Nissanka pulls this towards deep mid-wicket and just survives as the fielder is unable to hold onto the catch. He gets a life here! |
| 12.5 : Mitchell Marsh to Charith Asalanka, Bowls this back of a length and outside off, Charith Asalanka feels for the ball but is beaten. |
| 12.4 : Mitchell Marsh to Charith Asalanka, SIX! This has been dispatched! Mitchell Marsh bowls this on a good length and outside off, Charith Asalanka crunches this on the up and over the long off boundary for a biggie. |
| 12.6 : Mitchell Marsh to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! Charith Asalanka looking in good touch here as he smashes this away! Mitchell Marsh bowls this slightly short and outside off, Charith Asalanka pulls this towards deep mid-wicket and collects four runs. |
| 13.1 : Ashton Agar to Pathum Nissanka, WIDE! Ashton Agar fires this one full and down leg, Pathum Nissanka looks to sweep but misses and the umpire indicates that this is wide. |
| Ashton Agar to Pathum Nissanka, Bowls a loopy delivery full and outside off, Pathum Nissanka strokes this towards deep cover and takes a brace. |
| 13.2 : Ashton Agar to Pathum Nissanka, This is slightly short and outside off, Pathum Nissanka pulls this towards deep mid-wicket and takes another couple of runs. This is good running from the Sri Lankans. |
| 13.3 : Ashton Agar to Pathum Nissanka, OUT! RUN OUT! Their hunt for quick runs between the wicket has led to their downfall! Ashton Agar bowls this short and outside off, and Pathum Nissanka cuts this towards the point fielder and takes off for a run. There is no run here and Charith Asalanka sends him back. He is stranded halfway down the wicket when the ball is thrown by Mitchell Marsh to Matthew Wade behind the wicket and he whips the bails off. Pathum Nissanka was just getting a move |
| Bhanuka Rajapaksa walks in at number 5. |
| 13.4 : Ashton Agar to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, This is short as well and angled into the stumps, Bhanuka Rajapaksa rocks back and taps it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 13.5 : Ashton Agar to Charith Asalanka, Bowls this on a shorter length and wide outside off, Charith Asalanka looks to cut but is beaten by the extra bounce. |
| 13.6 : Ashton Agar to Charith Asalanka, Flights this full and outside the off stump, Charith Asalanka whips this towards deep mid-wicket and takes a single to keep strike. |
| Mitchell Starc (2-0-6-0) is brought back into the attack. |
| 14.1 : Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Mitchell Starc serves this full and outside the off pole, Charith Asalanka strokes this towards deep cover-point and takes a single. |
| 14.2 : Mitchell Starc to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Mitchell Starc continues bowling a fuller length and outside the off stumps, Bhanuka Rajapaksa hits this high straight back past the bowler. Another outstanding effort at the boundary from David Warner restricts them to a brace. |
| 14.3 : Mitchell Starc to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, This is on a good length and outside off, Bhanuka Rajapaksa looks to guide this to third man but is beaten. |
| 14.4 : Mitchell Starc to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, FOUR! Bhanuka Rajapaksa has come out with intent here! Mitchell Starc strays on the leg side on a good length, Bhanuka Rajapaksa clips this off his pads and deposits it towards the deep backward square leg boundary. The ball seems to have landed just inside the rope and it will be four more runs to Sri Lanka! |
| 14.5 : Mitchell Starc to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, OUT! CAUGHT! Mitchell Starc gets rid of the dangerous Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Australia are taking quick wickets here to restrict the scoring rate! Mitchell Starc bowls this full and angled into the stumps, Bhanuka Rajapaksa looks to heave this leg side but gets a leading edge that flies towards deep backward point. Pat Cummins comes running in from the boundary and takes a fine catch diving forward. |
| The skipper, Dasun Shanaka walks out to bat now. |
| 14.6 : Mitchell Starc to Dasun Shanaka, Mitchell Starc bowls a full delivery angled into the pads, Dasun Shanaka misses his flick and the ball hits the pads. There is a stifled appeal but this is clearly going down leg stump. |
| Glenn Maxwell to roll his arm now. |
| 15.1 : Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Starts off with a flatter delivery close to the off pole. Charith Asalanka cuts it late and towards short third man for one. |
| 15.2 : Glenn Maxwell to Dasun Shanaka, Shanaka steps out and Maxwell drags it down outside off. Shanaka uses his wrists to work it in front of mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 15.3 : Glenn Maxwell to Dasun Shanaka, Swing and a miss! On a nagging length and this is angles across the off stump. Dasun Shanaka crouches down and throws the kitchen sink at it but misses the ball. |
| 15.4 : Glenn Maxwell to Dasun Shanaka, Around the pads, this is turned towards deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 15.5 : Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Shorter and over middle, Charith Asalanka hangs deep in his crease and pulls it through mid-wicket for one more. |
| 15.6 : Glenn Maxwell to Dasun Shanaka, OUT! TAKEN! Matthew Wade keeps his eye on the prize and Glenn Maxwell strikes in his first over. This is served full and around off, angled across the batter. Dasun Shanaka goes down on one knee and looks to slog sweep it away. There is just a bit of additional bounce and Shanaka can't get under it. The ball goes a mile high in the air and around square leg. The keeper, Matthew Wade runs towards it and dives forward to take a very difficult catch. Austra |
| 16.1 : Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, Nicely bowled! Good length, in that channel close to the off stump and just slanted across. Charith Asalanka looks to cut but is well beaten. |
| 0.0 : Wanindu Hasaranga is the new batter out in the middle. Pat Cummins has been brought back into the attack as well. |
| 16.2 : Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, On a hard length and over the stumps, Asalanka looks to pull but is late on it and the ball hits the shoulder of the bat. |
| 16.3 : Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! That has been dismissed! Short and wide, Charith Asalanka gets on top of the bounce and slaps it away in front of the man at deep point for a boundary. The fielder over there didn't even have time to move. |
| 16.4 : Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, Just a fraction shorter and around middle, Charith Asalanka takes on the pull shot and just manages to clear the in-field in front of mid-wicket. The batters get a couple of runs. |
| 16.5 : Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, This is banged in on a hard length and outside off, Charith Asalanka forces the jab and gets it down to long off for a single. |
| 16.6 : Pat Cummins to Wanindu Hasaranga, Wanindu Hasaranga shuffles a long way past the leg stump and Pat Cummins follows him. Hasaranga manages to work it away past past square leg for a single. |
| 17.1 : Josh Hazlewood to Wanindu Hasaranga, WIDE! The attempted wide yorker, just goes beyond the tramline outside off and a wide is called. |
| Josh Hazlewood to Wanindu Hasaranga, Swing and a miss! Hazlewood shortens the length and keeps it outside off. There is a bit of movement away off the deck and Wanindu Hasaranga gets nowhere near the ball as he looks to pull. |
| 17.2 : Josh Hazlewood to Wanindu Hasaranga, Well-directed! Hazlewood sees Hasaranga backing away and follows him with a good bumper. Hasaranga just about manages to duck under it. |
| 17.3 : Josh Hazlewood to Wanindu Hasaranga, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Another bites the dust and Sri Lanka are now six down. Wanindu Hasaranga keeps backing away and this time Josh Hazlewood goes full and wide. Hasaranga goes after it and looks to loft it over cover. The ball takes the outside edge and flies to the right of the keeper. Matthew Wade is quick to react and takes a sharp catch high to his right. Hazlewood gets his first wicket of the game. Chamika Karunaratne is the new batter out in |
| 17.4 : Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, Length ball, around off, Chamika Karunaratne walks past the stumps and works it away towards deep backward square leg for a couple of runs. |
| 17.5 : Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, Karunaratne looks to shuffle past the off stump and Josh Hazlewood goes for the bumper. This is bowled over off stump and Karunaratne gets his head out of the line of the ball. |
| 17.6 : Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, FOUR! Nicely played! Short again by Hazlewood but it is a bit too straight. Chamika Karunaratne gets inside the line of the ball and hits it flat, wide of the fielder at fine leg for a one-bounce boundary. |
| 18.1 : Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Very full and close to the off pole, Charith Asalanka doesn't move his feet and just swings wildly at it but fails to connect. |
| 18.2 : Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Very full, on middle and leg, Charith Asalanka stays deep in his crease and drives it down to long on for a run. |
| 18.3 : Mitchell Starc to Chamika Karunaratne, FIVE WIDES! Mitchell Starc misses his radar and gives away free runs. Starc sees Karunaratne shuffling across the stumps and looks for the inswinging yorker on leg stump. The ball is well down the leg side and swings further down, beating Matthew Wade and racing away into the fence. |
| Mitchell Starc to Chamika Karunaratne, Excellent running! Full and around off, Karunaratne lifts it over extra covers but doesn't time it perfectly. A couple of fielders give chase but the batters do well to get back for the third. |
| 18.4 : Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Leg bye! A yorker now, swinging in at the toes. Charith Asalanka fails to dig it out and the ball goes off his pads towards short fine leg. They get a leg bye. |
| 18.5 : Mitchell Starc to Chamika Karunaratne, 1 run. |
| 18.6 : Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Length ball, pushed well outside the off side. Charith Asalanka fails to reach it and a wide isn't called either, so it will be a dot to end the over, 11 runs come off it. |
| 19.1 : Pat Cummins to Chamika Karunaratne, BYE! A shot in the dark by the Aussies but it doesn't come off. Pat Cummins nails the wide yorker and Chamika Karunaratne fails to get any bat on it. The batters scamper through for a bye but the bowler appeals for a catch. Aaron Finch goes for the review and the replay shows that the ball wasn't close to the bat, the bat hit the ground and hence the sound. |
| 19.2 : Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, Fullish delivery, outside off, Charith Asalanka plays the lofted drive over extra cover and comes back for the second. |
| 19.3 : Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! Nicely played! Banged in short and over the leg stump. Charith Asalanka just plays a controlled pull shot and gets it wide enough to beat the man at third man. |
| 19.4 : Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, WIDE! Full and wide, a bit too wide for the umpire's liking. |
| Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, SIX! BOOM! Cummins pitches it up right in the slot around the off stump. Charith Asalanka hangs deep in his crease and lofts it with great timing over the wide long off fence for a maximum. The 150 is up for Sri Lanka. |
| 19.5 : Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, BYE! Pat Cummins goes for the bumper, around off stump and at 140 clicks. Charith Asalanka misses the pull but they do scamper through as Matthew Wade fails to hit the stumps at the batter's end. |
| 19.6 : Pat Cummins to Chamika Karunaratne, WIDE! This is short and wide, beyond the tramline outside off. It is called a wide. |
| Pat Cummins to Chamika Karunaratne, FOUR! Chamika Karunaratne and Sri Lanka finish the innings on a high. Full and wide again, it is a low full toss. Karunaratne creams it along the ground through extra cover, beating Finch's dive, and the man in the deep can't reach it either. It will be a boundary and Sri Lanka finish with 157/6 on the board. |
| Right then, Sri Lanka end up with 157 on the board in the end. Having had two set batters at the 10th over mark, Sri Lanka will be a tad bit disappointed with this total. Australia would certainly be confident of chasing this total but they don't have the momentum going into the break. |
| Having been sent into bat first, Sri Lanka were dealt an early blow when they lost Kusal Mendis in the 2nd over. Dhananjaya de Silva and Pathum Nissanka batted smartly to put on a 69-run stand for the second wicket. Post the formerâs departure Sri Lanka kept losing wickets at regular intervals in their quest to up the ante. Cameos from Chamika Karunaratne and especially Charith Asalanka towards the end has taken them to a competitive total. |
| Australia kept it tight since the start and did not allow the Lankan openers to get off to a flyer. Even when there was a partnership going on, they kept troubling the batters with short lengths and continued doing so the entire innings. However, they did leak 46 runs from the last four overs and now their batters have a task on their hand. |
| Josh Hazlewood says the wicket played its part as there was a little bit of swing and a little bit of seam. Mentions that Sri Lanka did well in the end and since they have got above 150, the game is on. Admits it's good to bowl on a wicket that has something to offer as most of the other wickets have become flatter. Claims that he feels they will be able to achieve the target and hopes to get there early but says that they need to preserve wickets at the top of the order and keep wickets in hand |
| Australia will be hoping to chase this total as quickly as possible to improve their net run rate while Sri Lanka would want their new ball bowlers to replicate their counterparts and take some early wickets. The run chase coming up shortly⦠|
| ... THE RUN CHASE ... |
| We are back for the run chase. |
| 0.2 : Binura Fernando to David Warner, Australia are underway! Fraction shorter and outside off, David Warner uses his wrists to play it away well in front of square on the leg side. The man from mid-wicket chases it down and Warner is off the mark with a three. |
| 0.3 : Binura Fernando to Aaron Finch, Leg bye! Good length, swinging in from around leg stump. Aaron Finch misses the tuck and the ball hits the thigh pads. They get a leg bye as the ball rolls away towards square leg. |
| 0.1 : Binura Fernando to David Warner, A hint of away movement there. Binura Fernando pitches it up first up on off stump and the ball shapes away nicely. David Warner watchfully blocks it out on the off side. |
| 0.4 : Binura Fernando to David Warner, Fullish length, around off and shaping away. Warner punches it sweetly in front of cover-point but the fielder over there makes a good half-stop diving to his left. The batters race across for a single. |
| 0.5 : Binura Fernando to Aaron Finch, Nicely bowled and well played as well. This is a yorker, swinging into the toes. Finch manages to dig it out behind square on the leg side and gets off the mark with a single. Also, the bowler Binura Fernando pulls up and holds his left hamstring. Not good signs for Sri Lanka and Fernando is off straightaway. Another injury for a Lankan bowler and what a disappointment it is for Fernando. |
| 0.6 : Dhananjaya de Silva to David Warner, Dhananjaya de Silva comes in to complete Fernando's over and bowls a quicker delivery at the stumps. David Warner looks to drive it through covers but gets an inside edge. |
| 1.1 : Lahiru Kumara to Aaron Finch, Lahiru Kumara comes in from the opposite end and starts off with a full ball outside off, Aaron Finch drives it straight to point. |
| 1.2 : Lahiru Kumara to Aaron Finch, Banged in short by Kumara, Aaron Finch pulls it hard along the ground to mid-on. |
| 1.3 : Lahiru Kumara to Aaron Finch, FIVEÂ WIDES! Full down the legside angling away from Finch, the ball kept going away from the keeper as he dived to his left. |
| Lahiru Kumara to Aaron Finch, Back of a length outside off, Finch pokes at the away going delivery and gets beaten. |
| 1.4 : Lahiru Kumara to Aaron Finch, Top delivery! Back-of-a-length delivery nips back into the batter from around off. The delivery cuts Finch into half as it goes over the stumps. |
| 1.5 : Lahiru Kumara to Aaron Finch, Back of a length on off, Finch gets an inside edge that rolls towards fine leg for a single. |
| 0.6 : Sri Lanka have been having massive injury-related issues and yet another fast bowler has fallen casualty. Lahiru Kumara will need to shoulder the responsibility now and Sri Lanka will be hoping their part-time bowlers can fill the void left by Binura Fernando's injury. |
| Lahiru Kumara to David Warner, Good length on off, David Warner defends this one back to the bowler. Impressive first over by Lahiru Kumara. |
| 2.1 : Chamika Karunaratne to Aaron Finch, Half an appeal for lbw but it is always going down leg. Chamika Karunaratne comes into the attack now and starts off with a full delivery, nipping back into the pads. Finch hangs on the back foot and gets squared up as the ball crashes into his pads. |
| 2.2 : Chamika Karunaratne to Aaron Finch, WIDE! This is short and wide, well outside off, left alone for a wide. |
| Chamika Karunaratne to Aaron Finch, Finch is lucky to get away here. This is served on a good length and close to the off stump. Aaron Finch looks to cut close to the body and due to the extra bounce, the inside edge is found. The ball goes towards short fine leg and they get a single. |
| 2.3 : Chamika Karunaratne to David Warner, Excellent running! Just short of a length, outside off. David Warner with a short-arm jab in front of the man at deep mid-wicket and he hurries back for the second run. |
| 2.4 : Chamika Karunaratne to David Warner, Good length, around the top of off, Warner stays back and plays it late towards short third man for one. |
| 2.5 : Chamika Karunaratne to Aaron Finch, On a length and at the pads, Aaron Finch tucks it away behind square on the leg side and rotates the strike. |
| 2.6 : Chamika Karunaratne to David Warner, On a shortish length and around off, David Warner angles it away towards deep backward square leg for yet another single. |
| 3.1 : Lahiru Kumara to David Warner, Short and outside off, David Warner muscles this one wide of deep square leg. With big boundaries at this ground, the batters run the third as well on the throw. |
| 3.2 : Lahiru Kumara to Aaron Finch, Back of a length on middle, Finch gets cramped as he tried to tuck it fine. |
| 3.3 : Lahiru Kumara to Aaron Finch, Full on off, Aaron Finch drives it with a straight bat to mid off. Finch calls for a single but decides against it. |
| 3.5 : Lahiru Kumara to Aaron Finch, FOUR BYES! Good-length delivery nips back sharply into Finch. The ball goes over the stumps and past the keeper for a boundary. This is excellent from Lahiru Kumara but nothing is coming off it. Finch is really struggling here. |
| 3.4 : Lahiru Kumara to Aaron Finch, Back of a length angling into Finch. The pace of the delivery hurries the batter. |
| 3.6 : Lahiru Kumara to Aaron Finch, Another nip backer by Kumara that raps Finch raps high on the pads. The bowler and the fielders go up in unison but it was always going to sail over the stumps. Sri Lanka thought of a review but decided against it. |
| 4.1 : Maheesh Theekshana to David Warner, OUT! CAUGHT! Maheesh Theekshana strikes on his very first ball and the dangerman David Warner has to depart. This is nicely tossed up, a bit outside off and draws Warner forward. Warner looks to cream it through covers but ends up hitting it uppishly. Dasun Shanaka at short extra cover reacts quickly and takes an excellent catch low to his left. Sri Lanka have the early breakthrough. Mitchell Marsh walks in at number 3. |
| 4.2 : Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Marsh, Quicker one, bowled from wider of the crease and this one almost swings back in from outside off. Mitchell Marsh watchfully keeps it out. |
| 4.3 : Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Marsh, Flatter one, around middle, this is punched down to long on for a single. |
| 4.4 : Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Finch, This is dragged down a bit and Aaron Finch looks to pull it away. The ball comes slower off the deck and Finch checks his shot as he works it leg side for a single. |
| 4.5 : Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Marsh, On the pads, Marsh nudges it straight towards backward square leg. |
| 4.6 : Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Marsh, Flatter again, turning into the batter, Mitchell Marsh just blocks it back onto the deck. A brilliant first over by Maheesh Theekshana, just 2 runs and a wicket off it. |
| 5.1 : Chamika Karunaratne to Aaron Finch, Low full toss outside off, Aaron Finch punches it between extra cover and mid off. The batters come back for three. This should get Finch going. |
| 5.2 : Chamika Karunaratne to Mitchell Marsh, Full on off, Mitchell Marsh drives it hard down the ground but straight to mid on. |
| 5.4 : Chamika Karunaratne to Aaron Finch, Back of a length at the pads, Finch clips it off the backfoot to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 5.5 : Chamika Karunaratne to Mitchell Marsh, Karunaratne with a good delivery, on a good length and nipping back in sharply off the deck from outside off. Mitchell Marsh looks to block but is beaten by the movement and gets pinged high on the pads. There is a big appeal for lbw from the bowler but the finger stays down. Chamika Karunaratne is completely convinced that this is out and in the end, Dasun Shanaka does take the review. No spike on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows the impact as |
| 5.6 : Chamika Karunaratne to Mitchell Marsh, Good length delivery angles into Marsh and hits him on the thigh. A quiet over by Chamika Karunaratne and at the end of the Powerplay, Australia are 33/1! |
| Dhananjaya de Silva who bowled the remaining delivery of Binura Fernando's over is brought back into the attack. |
| 6.1 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Aaron Finch, Dhananjaya de Silva begins with a shortish delivery fired into the pads, Aaron Finch taps this towards square leg and takes a quick single. |
| 6.2 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Mitchell Marsh, This is flighted full and outside off, Mitchell Marsh looks to reverse sweep this but does not connect and the ball hits his gloves and goes to the leg side. |
| 6.4 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Mitchell Marsh, This is fired full and down leg, Mitchell Marsh shapes up for a reverse sweep but misses and is collected well down leg side by the keeper. |
| 6.5 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Marsh is living on the edge here! Dhananjaya de Silva bowls a loopy delivery full and outside off, Mitchell Marsh goes hard at the ball and gets a leading edge in the air into the vacant backward square leg region for a run. |
| 6.6 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Aaron Finch, This is a touch short and angled into the stumps, Aaron Finch rocks back and nudges this towards square leg for one and he will keep strike. |
| Wanindu Hasaranga comes into the attack now. |
| 7.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Aaron Finch, Short on off, Aaron Finch moves away and punches it to deep point for a single. |
| 7.2 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! SMASHED! Short on off, Mitchell Marsh rocks back and thumps this one wide of deep mid wicket for a boundary. The fielder in the deep was standing a few yards ahead of the boundary but it was always going to be out of his reach. |
| 6.3 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Mitchell Marsh, DROPPED! Dasun Shanaka is unable to hold onto this and a chance goes begging! This is floated full and into the stumps, Mitchell Marsh looks to swing across the line but mistimes it high towards deep mid-wicket. Dasun Shanaka runs towards the ball and gets both hands onto it but is unable to hold on. The batters complete two runs. |
| 7.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Aaron Finch, Flighted on off, Aaron Finch slogs it towards long off and collects a run. |
| 7.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Mitchell Marsh, Short on off, Mitchell Marsh cuts it to deep point for a run. |
| 7.5 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Mitchell Marsh, Short outside off, Marsh pulls this one between deep mid wicket and square leg for a couple. |
| 7.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Mitchell Marsh, SIX! CLEAN AND STRAIGHT! Flighted on middle, Mitchell Marsh puts his feet forward and drills it straight towards the sight screens. Wanindu Hasaranga starts off with a 15-run over. |
| 8.1 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Aaron Finch, SIX! that sounded really good off the bat! Aaron Finch has joined the party and he will be relieved. Dhananjaya de Silva bowls a flighted delivery full and in line with the stumps, Aaron Finch gets his front foot out of the way and launches this towards the deep mid-wicket boundary for a massive hit. |
| 8.2 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Aaron Finch, This is slightly short and on the pads, Aaron Finch clips this towards square leg and takes a run. |
| 8.3 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Mitchell Marsh, OUT! Australia were just getting a move on and Dhananjaya de Silva strikes at a crucial time to stem the scoring! He bowls a loopy delivery full and outside off, Mitchell Marsh charges down the wicket and swings hard at the ball but only manages to slice this towards long off. Bhanuka Rajapaksa stands under the ball and takes an easy catch getting Sri Lanka right back into the game. |
| Glenn Maxwell walks in at number 4. |
| 8.4 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Glenn Maxwell, This is slightly short and straight, Glenn Maxwell uses the depth of the crease and works this wide of long on for a single to get off the mark. |
| 8.5 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Aaron Finch, Bowls this one outside off on a shortish length, Aaron Finch goes on the backfoot and slaps this to deep point for a run. |
| 8.6 : Dhananjaya de Silva to Glenn Maxwell, FOUR! This has been swatted away! Dhananjaya de Silva continues bowling short and outside the off pole, Glenn Maxwell rocks back in the crease and pulls the ball towards the cow corner boundary for four runs. 13 runs and a wicket from this over. |
| 9.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Aaron Finch, Short on middle, Aaron Finch goes back and punches it to deep point for a single. |
| 9.2 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Glenn Maxwell, SIX! MASSIVE HIT! Flighted outside off, Maxwell's eyes lit up. Frees his arms and slogs this over long off for a biggie. Maxwell has decided to take it upon himself. |
| 9.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Glenn Maxwell, Short on middle, Maxwell punches it to long on for a single. |
| 9.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Aaron Finch, Flighted outside off, Finch slogs this one to the right of deep mid wicket for a single. |
| 9.5 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Glenn Maxwell, FOUR! The reverse hit is out! Flighted on off, Maxwell pulls out the reverse sweep and gets it past the diving short third man fielder for another boundary. |
| 9.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Glenn Maxwell, SIX! Flighted outside off, Maxwell smashes this one over the bowler's head for the second six of the over. That's the most expensive over of the innings with 19 runs coming off it. Hasaranga has now conceded 34 runs from his two overs. |
| 10.1 : Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Finch, Maheesh Theekshana begins the over with a fullish delivery in line with the stumps, Aaron Finch taps this ball towards mid-wicket. |
| 10.2 : Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Finch, WIDE! Fires this one full and down leg side. Aaron Finch misses the flicks and this is called wide by the umpire. |
| Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Finch, Bowls this full and outside the off stump, Aaron Finch knocks this towards cover and looks for a single which is not there. |
| 10.3 : Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Finch, Angles this into the pads on a fuller length, Aaron Finch flicks this towards short mid-wicket. |
| 10.4 : Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Finch, Floats this one full and outside the off pole, Aaron Finch hits this to the left of the bowler who dives and parries the ball towards cover. So far just one from this over off a wide. |
| 5.3 : DRINKS! What a momentum shift it has been for Australia in the last few overs and they head into the halfway mark with their noses in front. Sri Lanka bossed the Powerplay as they kept the runs down and got rid of David Warner as well. Mitchell Marsh too fell soon but there has been intent from Australia. Since Glenn Maxwell has come on, he has taken a liking to the Lankan spinners. Sri Lanka know they need wickets to get back in front. A crucial phase of play awaits as 73 runs are needed |
| 10.5 : Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Finch, Another dot ball as he bowls this full and in line with the stumps, Aaron Finch clips the ball towards short mid-wicket. |
| 10.6 : Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Finch, This is a fraction short and outside off, Aaron Finch cuts this straight to the fielder and backward point. This is a really good over from Maheesh Theekshana as just one run comes off it. |
| Lahiru Kumara (2-0-9-0) comes back on to bowl. |
| 11.1 : Lahiru Kumara to Glenn Maxwell, Short and at the body, Maxwell moves away but Kumara follows him as he ends up playing it awkwardly on the off side. Maxwell takes a painful blow on the fingers but shrugs it off. |
| 11.2 : Lahiru Kumara to Glenn Maxwell, Banged in short, Glenn Maxwell shuffles across looking to help it fine but misses to make any contact. |
| 11.3 : Glenn Maxwell has been struck around the throat area and given Kumara's pace, that is a really painful blow. Maxwell seems to be rattled by it completely and the physio is out. Thankfully, Maxwell is back on his feet and is good to continue. |
| Lahiru Kumara to Glenn Maxwell, OUCH! Bumper by Kumara, hits Maxwell near the collarbone as he tried to pull it from the off side. Maxwell is down in pain. Three dots to start by Lahiru Kumara. |
| 11.4 : Lahiru Kumara to Glenn Maxwell, Back of a length on middle, Maxwell moves to the off side and looks to scoop this one. The ball sails over the stumps on the way to the keeper. |
| 11.5 : Lahiru Kumara to Glenn Maxwell, Full outside off, Maxwell drives it back to the bowler. Kumara doesn't collect it cleanly and concedes a single. |
| 11.6 : Lahiru Kumara to Aaron Finch, Leg bye! Back of a length angling into Finch. The ball hits the batter on the thigh as he tried to flick. The batters cross for a single. Another quiet over by Sri Lanka. |
| Chamika Karunaratne (2-0-12-0) is back on. |
| 12.1 : Chamika Karunaratne to Aaron Finch, DROPPED! A valiant effort by the substitute fielder Ashen Bandara but he just can't hold onto it. This is banged in short by Chamika Karunaratne and Aaron Finch is late on the pull shot. The ball goes high over the mid-wicket region as Bhandara runs back. He puts in the dive and the ball pops in and out three times out of his palms before hitting the ground. Just a single then. |
| 5.3 : Chamika Karunaratne to Mitchell Marsh, Full down the leg side, Marsh mistimes the flick but still gets a single as the ball rolls on the leg side. |
| 12.2 : Chamika Karunaratne to Glenn Maxwell, OUT! TAKEN! Ashen Bandara with the redemption and the dangerman Glenn Maxwell has to walk back. Back of the hand slower delivery from Chamika Karunaratne and this is banged in halfway down the track. Maxwell has to force the slog and hits it hard and a bit flat towards deep mid-wicket. The ball seems to be just flying over the ropes but Bhandara times the jump to perfection and grabs. He also does well to keep his feet inside the ropes. The catch is |
| Marcus Stoinis has made his way out to the middle. |
| 12.3 : Chamika Karunaratne to Marcus Stoinis, Good length, outside off, this is slapped away in front of cover-point for a single. |
| 12.4 : Chamika Karunaratne to Aaron Finch, Another slower one, dug in short and Aaron Finch pulls it behind square on the leg side for a run. |
| 12.5 : Chamika Karunaratne to Marcus Stoinis, Good running! Good length again, around the hips, Marcus Stoinis tucks it away through square leg and races back for the second. |
| 12.6 : Chamika Karunaratne to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! Cheeky but effective. Another slower short ball by Chamika Karunaratne, outside off. Marcus Stoinis waits for it and then just sticks out a bat to guide it fine into the third man fence. |
| 13.1 : Dasun Shanaka to Aaron Finch, Dasun Shanaka brings himself into the attack now and starts off with a length ball outside off. Aaron Finch charges down the track and has a go at it but fails to connect. |
| 13.2 : Dasun Shanaka to Aaron Finch, Length again, pushed wide of the off stump, Finch steps out yet again as he looks to go big. The ball flies off the outside edge down towards third man. Maheesh Theekshana runs in and does well to dive in and make the block but takes a blow to the face. Just the single then. |
| 13.3 : Dasun Shanaka to Marcus Stoinis, Short of a length and over middle, Marcus Stoinis stays back and blocks it onto the leg side. |
| 13.4 : Dasun Shanaka to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! Easy pickings! Shorter and around the hips, Marcus Stoinis gets a glove on it as he looks to pull. The ball goes very fine and the fielder from short fine leg cannot cut off the boundary. |
| 13.5 : Dasun Shanaka to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! Marcus Stoinis is riding his luck here but he won't mind it. Back of a length, around off, Stoinis hangs on the back foot and just looks to punch it away but gets an outside edge. The ball races away into the third man fence. |
| 13.6 : Dasun Shanaka to Marcus Stoinis, Fullish delivery, around off, Stoinis drives it on the up and wide of mid off for a single. 51 needed now off 36 balls and we are set up for another blockbuster finish here. |
| 14.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Marcus Stoinis, Hasaranga comes back into the attack and starts off with a wrong 'un. This is short and outside off, Stoinis punches it through cover for a single. |
| 14.2 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Aaron Finch, Just a fraction short and on off stump, Finch makes room and chops it onto the off side for one. |
| 14.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Marcus Stoinis, SIX! All the way! A real drag down by Hasaranga and it hasn't been his day at all. Short and turning into leg stump, Marcus Stoinis muscles it off the back foot and clears the mid-wicket fence with ease. |
| 14.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! This is poor bowling by Hasaranga and Australia might run away with this one. Dragged down again around middle, this time Marcus Stoinis pulls it right back past the bowler and picks up a boundary. |
| 14.5 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Marcus Stoinis, SIX! KABOOM! The 50 comes up for Hasaranga and he's just bowled 17 deliveries. Tosses it up now, around leg stump, Marcus Stoinis clears the front leg and gets another it before smoking it over the wide long on fence. |
| 14.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Marcus Stoinis, A single to end but 19 runs come off that over, a good one for Australia. Flatter one, outside off, this is hit away towards sweeper cover for one. |
| 15.1 : Maheesh Theekshana to Marcus Stoinis, Quicker and flatter, angling it into the pads. Stoinis goes for the reverse paddle but finds the man at short third man. |
| 15.2 : Maheesh Theekshana to Marcus Stoinis, SIX! 'Catch it,' is the call but Marcus Stoinis has cleared the fence with ease. Tossed up on middle, Stoinis clobbers it away hard and flat, over the jumping fielder at long on for a biggie. |
| 15.3 : Maheesh Theekshana to Marcus Stoinis, SIX! WOW! Marcus Stoinis is in a hurry here. This is back of a good length and outside off, Stoinis stays put and just lofts it over the cover fence for yet another maximum. Sri Lanka in big, big trouble now. |
| 15.4 : Maheesh Theekshana to Marcus Stoinis, At the stumps, Marcus Stoinis backs away and drives it down to long on for a single. The 50-run partnership is up between these two in next to no time. |
| 15.5 : Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Finch, Slightly flighted, on leg stump, Aaron Finch looks to go big but can only drag it towards long on for a run. |
| 15.6 : Maheesh Theekshana to Marcus Stoinis, SIX! FIFTY! What a fabulous knock this has been from Marcus Stoinis and he brings up the fastest fifty by an Australian in T20Is. This is a real gift from Maheesh Theekshana, a high full toss on middle and leg. Stoinis just uses his raw strenth and heaves it straight back over the bowler's head for a maximum. 20 off that over and the game is all but over now for Sri Lanka. |
| 16.1 : Lahiru Kumara to Aaron Finch, Lahiru Kumara begins with a full delivery in line with the stumps, Aaron Finch gets an inside edge towards fine leg and takes a single. |
| 16.2 : Lahiru Kumara to Marcus Stoinis, WIDE! Bowls this short and just outside off, Marcus Stoinis gets across the line to pull this but the ball is too high and is called wide. |
| Lahiru Kumara to Marcus Stoinis, SIX! Marcus Stoinis is playing a dream inning here! Lahiru Kumara bowls this on a length and outside the off pole, Marcus Stoinis stays on his backfoot and pulls this over deep mid-wicket for a biggie! Australia are now just one hit away from victory. |
| 16.3 : Lahiru Kumara to Marcus Stoinis, WIDE! Lahiru Kumara gets his radar off as he fires this down leg side. The keeper does well diving to his left and the steal a run. The umpire calls this one wide. |
| Lahiru Kumara to Aaron Finch, Aaron Finch brings up the winning runs for Australia! Lahiru Kumara serves this full and outside the off pole, Aaron Finch reaches for it and lofts the ball over the mid off fielder and takes a couple of runs. Australia reach the target with 21 balls to spare and win the contest by 7 wickets! |
| A massive performance with the bat from Australia and they bring up a huge win thanks to some unreal batting by Marcus Stoinis. The hosts have very much got that net run-rate on the way up from where it was and have given themselves a big chance now to make a comeback in the tournament. |
| Sri Lanka began decently in their defense of 157. Wanindu Hasaranga was introduced in the attack to keep it tight but he ended up being the most expensive bowler in the park tonight. Sri Lanka tried everything and the likes of Lahiru Kumara and Maheesh Theekshana, apart from his last over bowled well but they were unable to stop the onslaught by Marcus Stoinis and were comfortably defeated in the end. They will now look to bounce back in the next game. |
| For Australia, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh both got out after getting a start. Glenn Maxwell then joined a struggling Aaron Finch in the middle and helped Australia swing the momentum in their favour but Maxwell too couldn't go on to get a big score. Finch kept on struggling all the way through but managed to stay at the crease. Post the arrival of Marcus Stoinis, he took matters in his own hands and finished the chase without breaking a sweat as he hit the Lankan spinners to all parts o |
| Earlier in the night, Sri Lanka were off to a decent start having sent in to bat first. With the innings going rather smoothly till the 10th over, a mini collapse meant Sri Lanka lost their way a bit. Some lusty strikes by Chamika Karunaratne and Charith Asalanka helped Sri Lanka reach a respectable total. Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Ashton Agar all kept things tight and picked up wickets as well, ensuring the break of momentum but a few of the bowlers did go the distance in the final |
| The Presentation ceremony... |
| Marcus Stoinis (59* off 18 deliveries) is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning effort. He says that he was asked to have a look at the fast bowlers because there was a bit of help for them in the pitch and then he could go after the spinners. Mentions that once he got in, he wanted to get to the target quickly. Claims that he was a bit nervous but he is glad that they could get over the line. Admits that he is mentally fresh and has had some time off with a side strain and he feels go |
| Dasun Shanaka, the Sri Lankan skipper says that they started and finished well. Reckons that they were 15-20 runs short in their batting effort. Feels that the fast bowlers were not prepared well since they were coming off injuries. Adds that it was tough with the new ball and feels that Australia batted really well at the end. |
| Aaron Finch, the captain of Australia says that he is very happy with their performance but admits that his inning was poor. Mentions that their approach with the bat was fine as it was important for them to get through the new ball with the wicket offering assistance to the fast bowlers. Adds that it would have been nice if he could have kicked on earlier and made the chase easier. Claims that it is a tough wicket with extra bounce and the long boundaries make it difficult to score freely but |
| That is it then from this game and Group 1 is shaping up nicely with 4 teams getting a win under their belt. Action in the 2022 Men's T20 World Cup will continue on Wednesday, the 26th of October with a doubleheader. The first game of the day will be played between Ireland and England and will begin at 9.30 am IST (4 am GMT). This game will be followed by a clash between New Zealand and Afghanistan at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT) as both games will be played at the MCG in Melbourne. You can join us f |
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