| 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. |
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