Australia v Sri Lanka, SCG ODI: cricket live scores, commentary
Roar Guru By Suneer Chowdhary, 17 Feb 2012 Suneer Chowdhary is a Roar Guru
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Australia v Sri Lanka SYDNEY CRICKET GROUND, FEBRUARY 17, 2012 Match 6 - AUS v SLA |
|---|
| Australia 1st Inn | 158 All Out |
| Sri Lanka 1st Inn | 2/152 |
| Australia won the toss and elected to bat | |
| Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets (D/L method) | |
| Sri Lanka | RR:6.29 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batsmen | Runs | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
| DPMD Jayawardene | 61 | 67 | 5 | 0 | 91.04 |
| LD Chandimal* | 6 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 75.00 |
| Australia | |||||
| Bowlers | O | M | R | W | Econ |
| DT Christian* | 5.1 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 6.19 |
| B Lee | 7.0 | 0 | 42 | 1 | 6.00 |
| Recent Overs: | ||
| 4 . . 2 . 1 | | . 1 . 1 . 1 | | . 4 1 . . 4 | |
| Last Wicket: | Sangakkara, 30 (c:Doherty b:Lee) |
| Current Partnership: | 19 runs, 18 balls, RR:105.56 |
Australia take on Sri Lanka in a second leg match at the Sydney Cricket Ground and we’ll bring you the live scores and commentary of the action starting at 2.20 pm local time.
After a good start to their campaign – where they won two in a row – Australia were stopped in their tracks by a rampaging, ice-cool Indian captain at the Adelaide Oval.
The home team now looks to get things back on track against a side which is winless in the tournament so far.
Sri Lanka went down narrowly in their first two games but looked good to open their account against India. Then Dhoni delivered a similar dose to what he had to Australia and Sri Lanka had to settle for only a tie.
Australia will see personnel changes for this game.
Michael Clarke’s dodgy hamstring pushes him out of reckoning and in a highly debatable move, Ricky Ponting has been anointed the captain for this game. Michael Hussey returns to the side after a game’s break as well and will replace Clarke in the 11.
Also pushed out of the side is Ryan Harris, against his wishes, with Brett Lee making a comeback after toe surgery. Lee has recovered from his foot injury and should make it to the playing 11.
There is one other worry for Australia. Xavier Doherty has some injury issues related to his back and if he does not get fit in time for the game, Jon Holland could make it to the 11. Holland has never played an international before although he did make it to the squad for a tour of India.
Sri Lanka will be happy with the points on the board after the tied game but they desperately need a win to get back into contention for a place in the final. A loss will push them to the corner which from where a turnaround will be difficult.
Batting continues to be an Achilles Heel for Sri Lanka as the top-order searches for runs.
Upul Tharanga has yet to get to a double-digit score in this series, T Dilshan has struggled to convert his starts while Kumar Sangakkara has looked far less fluent than in his prime.
Dinesh Chandimal continues to impress with his growth as a matured middle-order batsman but he needs support from the rest of the batting side as well.
The bowling, contrastingly, has shone well for them with Rangana Herath being a standout from the last game. It was, in fact, a surprise that he did not play earlier in the tournament.
He will be a bowler to look out for and if the Sydney track can afford some spin for the left-armer, the Australian batsmen could have a battle on their hands.
This could be Sri Lanka’s best chance to upset the home team given their own improvements and Australia’s strategy to experiment.
We will bring you the coverage throughout this sixth CB series ODI between Australia and Sri Lanka from the SCG and hope to receive your opinions as the action unfolds.
Recommend this story.
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12:17am
Disco said | 12:17am | Report comment
Ponting: 11 runs in 4 innings.
9:54pm
jamesb said | 9:54pm | Report comment
good win by sri lanka well done.
Australia have alot of work to do
9:50pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:50pm | Report comment
So that is that from me, enjoyed bringing this to you and receiving your comments. I will be back with the rather vital Australia v India game on Sunday.
9:46pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:46pm | Report comment
Australia never looked a part here apart from at the toss.
They batted first, Warner struggled, Wade failed to get going and by the time Ponting was dismissed, the side was staring down the barrel. Michael Hussey’s was conspicuous for his six before he was dismissed while Peter Forrest failed to convert his start.
When the rains came down, Australia had lost six wickets for 88 and looked in deep trouble.
David Hussey scored 58 to bail them out but in the end, they managed only 158 runs in their 41.
Sri Lanka, in their reply, never took a backward step. They attacked through their new opener, captain Mahela Jayawardene and T Dilshan and by the time the former captain was dismissed, Sri Lanka had surged quite ahead. Kumar Sangakkara came in, looked solid and from there on, Australia were never in the game.
Australia picked up a late wicket but by that time the Sri Lankans had not only sealed the game but also the bonus point.
Perera, who captured two wickets and got a couple of run-outs, has been declared the man of the match.
9:39pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:39pm | Report comment
Sri Lanka remain on the third position on the table but they have now gotten themselves within touching distance of Australia and India.
After all four teams have played four games each, India lead the table with 10 points, Australia are a point behind while Sri Lanka have seven points.
More pointedly, the net run-rate, which could come into picture, makes for an interesting read. India have the worst NRR at -0.25, Australia are on -01.2 while Sri Lanka have jumped to +0.323!
9:44pm
Rhys said | 9:44pm | Report comment
Suneer, plenty for the Aussies to digest out of that game. The push will be on to get Clarke and Watson into the lineup asap, and you can bet Harris will be over his ‘niggling injuries’ very quickly. Thanks for the great coverage again.
9:53pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:53pm | Report comment
Thanks Rhys, glad you liked it.
It was a shocking loss for Australia alright. There will be some nervous thoughts in that dressing room, with respect to the tournament itself. The way they started, it was going to be a battle between India and Sri Lanka to join them in the final but now any two of the three can get there.
Don’t know about Watson, despite his return to grade cricket but yes, Clarke was missed as both, the batsman and the leader and he should be back. So should Harris.
10:13pm
Red Kev said | 10:13pm | Report comment
Watson needs some form before he walks back in. Christian is playing reasonably well in the allrounder slot.
6:44am
aussie1st said | 6:44am | Report comment
Warner would be the one most under pressure. Needs to do something tomorrow.
On Harris apparently he wasn’t rested he was dropped.
9:36pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:36pm | Report comment
And that is the end of the match…one down the leg-side that gets them the single to win the game with a bonus point.
Sri Lanka win by eight wickets with 101 balls remaining.
Jayawardene remains unbeaten on 61 while Chandimal is six not-out.
9:34pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:34pm | Report comment
Four!
Shot! That’s cut away to tie the scores!
Jayawardene, opening for the first time this series, has gotten to 61 now. This approximately his average as an ODI opener as well.
2/151 in 24. This has been a walkover.
9:31pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:31pm | Report comment
Four!
Chandimal, Chandimal! Hooks Christian away to backward square-leg and gets himself a four.
His fearlessness of not being too much about any situation is an endearing virtue, but this time it was lack of respect for the bowler that stood out.
7 needed from 18 overs.
9:28pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:28pm | Report comment
Four!
Jayawardene gives himself some room and lofts Christian over the mid-off. Well played in the Batting Powerplay.
9:26pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:26pm | Report comment
Dinesh Chandimal is the new man, who gets a single and is away.
Three from that Lee over.
1/136 in 22.
9:23pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:23pm | Report comment
Sangakkara’s scored 30 from 29.
In the meantime, Jayawardene gets a single to achieve a 50.
63rd in this format of the game.
18 needed to win.
9:21pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:21pm | Report comment
OUT!
The batting Powerplay was taken in a bid to finish off the match but off the very first ball, Sangakkara is caught.
Tries to hit over the mid-off but he spoons it up high than getting the distance and the ball goes straight to the fielder, Doherty.
9:18pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:18pm | Report comment
That was a shot on the up and it wasn’t just a punch – it was a full-blown smash!
Gets only two for a shot that deserved much more.
1/133 in 21 overs. Need only 19 from 20 to win. 19 from around 11 overs to get the bonus point.
9:16pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:16pm | Report comment
Four!
This time it is over the slips! Wasn’t a catch but it was too wide to be bowling to a batsman looking this ravaging.
Sangakkara moves on to 27 and Christian has conceded 20 from 3.1 now.
9:14pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:14pm | Report comment
SIX!
Whoa, Sangakkara’s celebrating his landmark with some biggies. Shimmies down and sweeps it away flat for a big six over mid-wicket.
The game’s gone away from the Aussie hands.
1/126 in 20.
9:17pm
Rhys said | 9:17pm | Report comment
I’d always prefer Australia to win, but I think this result is a good one in terms of the tournament. India and Sri Lanka played off for the World Cup less than a year ago, so Australia was never gone dominate this particular tri-series.
9:25pm
lolly said | 9:25pm | Report comment
Yes, all this talk of being no 1 is a bit misleading. It’s the World Cup that matters to everyone else.
9:13pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:13pm | Report comment
Four!
Shot by Sangakkara, swept away for a four. Earlier it was Jayawardene and now it is Sangakkara who repeats the dose.
9:08pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:08pm | Report comment
Doherty, who had bowled his 10 overs against Sri Lanka in their last game for 24 and picked up two wickets, concedes seven in his first.
1/109 in 18.
9:20pm
lolly said | 9:20pm | Report comment
Very lack lustre Aus team in the past couple of games.
9:07pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:07pm | Report comment
Sangakkara brings up 10k ODI runs and he affords himself a smile. Hugs from Jayawardene.
What a playaa!
9:05pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:05pm | Report comment
Four!
Jayawardene is a good player of spin bowling and he sweeps Doherty over the short fine-leg to the fence.
Moves on to 44.
9:05pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:05pm | Report comment
Xavier Doherty is finally on.
50 runs needed for the win now.
9:03pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:03pm | Report comment
Sri Lanka have now got to 100 in their 17th over.
End the over on 1/101. Jayawardene’s on 40 and Sangakkara is on 9999 ODI runs. Only Mahela Jayawardene and Sanath Jayasuriya have scored more runs in this format for Sri Lanka.
9:00pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:00pm | Report comment
Sri Lanka are doing this smartly now – no risks against McKay while getting the runs from the other end.
This is doing their net run-rate no harm either.
54 needed from 25 overs to win, in 16.4 for the bonus point.
8:55pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:55pm | Report comment
Sangakkara is now a couple short of 10k runs.
1/95 in 15.
McKay to continue.
8:53pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:53pm | Report comment
Four!
Four more but this time it is a well-played shot. Sangakkara goes after the bowling, Christian bowls it wide outside the off-stump and the batsman slashes it away over the point.
8:53pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:53pm | Report comment
Four!
Dropped? Haddin will be watching this closely!
Jayawardene edged Christian and it goes through between wicket-keeper and second slip. There was no first slip but the wicket-keeper Wade does not go for the catch. Oops!
8:51pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:51pm | Report comment
Bowling change but no Doherty yet. It is Dan Christian to take the ball now.
Wonder what the fans think of Christian’s position in the team as an all-rounder.
8:50pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:50pm | Report comment
A decent over from McKay again where he concedes four runs. But no wicket.
1/86 in 14.
8:49pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:49pm | Report comment
Just a reminder, if Sri Lanka do win this with a bonus point, they will go up to seven points from four matches. India have 10 from 4 and Australia have nine from as many.
8:44pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:44pm | Report comment
Four!
Driven with elan, with grace! Sangakkara gives it the full bat and with the field up for the former Sri Lankan captain, it goes all the way to the fence.
1/82 in 12.4
8:41pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:41pm | Report comment
And now that Dilshan’s gone, Lee is back into the attack.
Dilshan’s 45 came from 41 balls, with four fours and a six.
1/74 in 12.
8:38pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:38pm | Report comment
OUT!
Finally a wicket! Dilshan’s gone this time as he edges McKay to the lone, wide slip.
He misses another 50 does Dilshan as he throws his bat at the ball, but managing only to edge it.
Could this be the opening Australia needed?
Sri Lanka need 78 to win from 175 to win it and off 126 balls to get a bonus point as well!
8:43pm
Behold said | 8:43pm | Report comment
The entire team should be dumped after this game, the batting, bowling and fielding has been unacceptable, excluding Doherty who hasn’t bowled yet.
8:37pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:37pm | Report comment
Almost a wicket! Jayawardene tries to go down the wicket to McKay and hits high on the bat.
Falls a tad short of the mid-off fielder.
8:36pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:36pm | Report comment
For now though, it is McKay to continue…the drinks break will help them think through their tactics.
Australia has been shocked by these early Sri Lankan tactics, to say the least.
8:33pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:33pm | Report comment
Six more from that over from Starc. Barring McKay who sent down a maiden to begin with, not too much more to rejoice for Australia.
Xavier Doherty could be called upon in a bid to get a wicket.
8:29pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:29pm | Report comment
The Powerplay overs are done but the runs continue to flow. Eight runs from that over.
The cut shot is particularly a favourite for both, Jayawardene and Dilshan.
41 to Dilshan, 22 to Jayawardene.
8:24pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:24pm | Report comment
Five runs off that over from Starc.
Currently, the home team looks bereft of too many ideas. They desperately need a wicket, probably need two in a row.
The pair has added 58 for the first wicket, the highest first-wicket stand in the tournament so far by any team!
8:23pm
Johnno said | 8:23pm | Report comment
Mckay for a test recall it is time.
8:25pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:25pm | Report comment
Whom does he replace? Harris, Siddle, Hilfenhaus, Cummins, Pattinson…
8:58pm
lolly said | 8:58pm | Report comment
Continual slower balls don’t really cut it in 4/5 day cricket. And he’s nowhere near the top performers in the Shield this season.
8:21pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:21pm | Report comment
Four!Mitchell Starc replaces Lee.
That was a four alright, going down the leg-side, hitting the pads and going for a four.
But the umpire has called it, no-shot-offered, which means that Sri Lanka don’t get a run. I would say that he did offer a shot but missed it by miles because of the swing at that pace.
8:20pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:20pm | Report comment
Sri Lanka off to flier here, 0/53 in 8.
They need only 99 more to win it in 33 overs – that is a measly three runs per over.
8:18pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:18pm | Report comment
McKay’s not sent down too many slower ones. This time, he gets Jayawardene to edge it and it goes through the second slip.
No-one there and a single through to third-man.
0/50 in 7.4. Sri Lanka’s best start in the tournament after three successive failures from Upul Tharanga earlier.
8:15pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:15pm | Report comment
Four!
Dilshan’s winning it so far…this time he peppers the off side and the ball’s gone running away over point. Powerplay overs being taken advantage of.
0/47 in 7.
8:14pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:14pm | Report comment
Sri Lanka, a team languishing down the points table, will need to score these runs in 32 overs to get a bonus point. And that is what they do, my god the points table will open up.
8:12pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:12pm | Report comment
Lee to Dilshan again. This should be fun.
8:12pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:12pm | Report comment
After all those strikes from Dilshan off Lee, McKay sends down a maiden to Jayawardene.
0/41 in 6.
8:09pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:09pm | Report comment
Those three boundaries from Dilshan came in an arc of 90 degrees or so – over mid-on, mid-wicket and backward square-leg.
Three dot balls from McKay.
8:08pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:08pm | Report comment
Yes, as expected, Starc is off the attack and Clint ‘Slower Ball’ McKay comes into the attack.
8:07pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:07pm | Report comment
And then he attempts a Dil-scoop off the ball well outside the off-stump.
Beats the bat and a disgruntled Lee walks up bemused.
Still, 14 off that over.
0/41 in 5 overs.
8:06pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:06pm | Report comment
Four!
Ho ho! He is toying with Lee here! The fielder was called up to square-leg and Dilshan smacks Lee to backward square-leg for his third successive boundary.
This is some rasping strokeplay as Dilshan’s making the bowling look rather second-string.
8:04pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:04pm | Report comment
Four!
Four more! This wasn’t so short, in fact, it was good length and Dilshan blazes it away to square-leg for four!
8:03pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:03pm | Report comment
Four!
Dilshan is playing fire with fire! Short ball from Lee again and Dilshan pulls it over mid-on!
8:03pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:03pm | Report comment
Jayawardene cuts one through covers for a couple and then drives with that oh-so-straight bat through the extra-cover region to get three.
0/27 in 4.
Australia need a wicket. Could see McKay replacing Starc.
8:00pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 8:00pm | Report comment
SIX!
…but Dilshan pulls hard against Starc and gets a six over square-leg! Second time he attempts this stroke and gets it in the middle this time.
Fine-leg comes up, deep square-leg goes back now.
7:59pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 7:59pm | Report comment
Another fine over from Lee, in which he hurries both the batsmen. Neither Dilshan nor Jayawardene have looked too comfortable so far against Lee.
0/14 in 3.
7:56pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 7:56pm | Report comment
Missed!
Not really a catch, just falling an inch or so short of the fine-leg fielder running into catch it.
It was a short ball and Dilshan seemed to have had enough of evading them. Tries to pull it but it comes off rather quickly and falls short.
7:54pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 7:54pm | Report comment
Four!
Shot! When Jayawardene drives, rest assured they are most pleasing to the eye. Pitched slightly up by Starc and Jayawardene caresses it through the mid-off region for four.
0/11 in 2.
7:50pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 7:50pm | Report comment
Mitchell Starc takes up the bowling from the other end. He should enjoy these conditions – a bit of swing and bounce here.
7:48pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 7:48pm | Report comment
A fiery first over from Lee. On two of the occasions, the batsmen were sent on a hopping trip from bouncers and on another Dilshan managed to keep it down.
A wide and a single off that over.
0/2 in 1.
7:44pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 7:44pm | Report comment
Mahela Jayawardene will open the innings for Sri Lanka with Tillakaratne Dilshan. Upul Tharanga, their regular opener was dropped from this game after three successive single-digit scores.
Brett Lee with the ball in the hand.
7:43pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 7:43pm | Report comment
Australia will be happy that they got to 158 after losing all those wickets in a heap earlier. However, whether it is enough of a target (152 after the Duckworth-Lewis adjustment) remains to be seen.
The batting team should be favourite at this stage but Sri Lanka’s batting in this series has been a tad dodgy.
7:22pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 7:22pm | Report comment
Surprise, surprise, Sri Lanka need 152 to win the game despite Australia’s 158. The loss of wickets before the rain came down has hit them hard.
This was after Hussey’s 58 revived the Australian innings struggling at 6/88 before the rain-break.
None of the others got to even 20, with number 10 Mitchell Starc’s 17 being the next best.
Sri Lanka’s Farveez Maharoof, on his comeback got a couple of wickets, as did Thisara Perera. There were three run-outs as well.
Back in 20 minutes with the chase.
7:19pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 7:19pm | Report comment
OUT!
Run-out again! Sri Lanka may have dropped a couple of catches but their ground fielding has been excellent. They have been hitting the stumps direct and that was another example of that!
Starc tried to steal a single to mid-on but Kulasekara fields well and throws the stumps down at the non-striker’s end. This is like the umpteenth run-out of the tournament!
Australia have been bowled out for 158 in 40.5 overs.
7:13pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 7:13pm | Report comment
Three singles off Perera’s last over means that he ends his spell on 2/29 in seven overs. Good bowling from the all-rounder.
Malinga to bowl the last over with Australia at 9/156.
7:09pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 7:09pm | Report comment
OUT!
Hussey is finally caught!
Perera decided to bowl around the wicket and wide outside the off-stump. He got away with the first ball, which seemed pretty wide, and off the second Hussey went after the ball. He managed to slice it in the air and it went straight to the sweeper fielder. Easily taken.
9/153 in 39.2.
7:07pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 7:07pm | Report comment
Seven runs from the Batting Powerplay over then. Two more overs to be bowled and Australia are 8/153 in 39.
This is suddenly looking like a far more competitive total now.
Thisara Perera to bowl the penultimate over now.
7:04pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 7:04pm | Report comment
Four!
Hussey has turned the pressure back on Sri Lanka and they seem to be wilting right now.
Kulasekara drifts down the leg-side and Hussey flicks it to the fine-leg fence.
150 comes up with 17 balls to go.
7:03pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 7:03pm | Report comment
Four Wides!
This ins’t the Malinga we know. Sends down the bouncer to Starc but that is so high that Sangakkara needed to be many feet higher than he currently is.
8/146 in 38. Starc’s played a decent hand in supporting Hussey.
Batting Powerplay taken.
7:00pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 7:00pm | Report comment
Half-century!
This has been one of the more typical ODI innings one would see from someone like a Michael Bevan.
Hussey gets two to get to a half-century. He has run really hard, farmed the strike and on occasions, even gone for the big hits.
He has more than 200 runs in this series so far, the highest so far.
6:57pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:57pm | Report comment
Four!
Misfield! Starc cuts Kulasekara to third-man and the fielder had to run to his left to field it. The ball slips past him and goes to the fence.
Seven runs from that over and it is 8/138 in 37.
6:53pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:53pm | Report comment
Starc survives the last two balls easily, even as Hussey refuses a single off the last ball.
This partnership is worth 27 from 28 balls now and there are five overs to go.
8/131 in 36.
6:52pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:52pm | Report comment
That is exactly what Hussey does…a single to third-man.
Starc on strike for a couple of balls.
6:51pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:51pm | Report comment
Four!
Hussey is turning on the heat for Australia! After getting a couple of runs off the second ball, Hussey pulls Malinga through the mid-wicket region and that has gone to the fence.
8/130 in 35.3 overs. Hussey may take a single now.
6:49pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:49pm | Report comment
Four!
Full-toss with the mid-on up in the circle. Hussey drives it, in fact just times it and the ball races away to the fence.
6:48pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:48pm | Report comment
Malinga to continue, to Hussey on 36.
6:48pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:48pm | Report comment
Three singles off the Perera over.
8/120 in 35 overs. Six more overs to go, one of which is a Powerplay over.
Can they get to 150?
6:44pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:44pm | Report comment
It is Thisara Perera, who replaces Rangana Herath. Hussey on strike.
6:43pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:43pm | Report comment
A couple of runs for Starc off the last ball of the Malinga over. He has yet to look threatening, has Malinga, but to be fair to him, a catch was dropped off his bowling.
8/117 in 34.
6:41pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:41pm | Report comment
Dropped!
Hussey is dropped again and this time it is off the bowling of Malinga! Straight-forward enough at short cover!
Malinga had himself dropped one at third-man earlier. Sri Lanka need to shut their opponents before they can get something substantial out of this.
6:39pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:39pm | Report comment
Aah, Hussey refused a single now to Malinga. Understandable too, given Malinga’s reputation of clearing out the batsmen’s feet.
Follows it up with a couple to the deep square-leg.
6:38pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:38pm | Report comment
Better over for Australia there, seven runs from it.
8/112 in 33. 150 will be their first target surely.
6:37pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:37pm | Report comment
Four!
Sizzling hit to long-on and Maharoof misfields.
Starc swatted that ball from Herath like it was a fly and Maharoof was slow to get down to grab it.
6:34pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:34pm | Report comment
Just a couple of runs from that over from Malinga and a run-out.
8/105 in 32, having scored only 17 runs since resumption in six overs.
6:33pm
jamesb said | 6:33pm | Report comment
this match will be over before its dark.
Australian batting is pathetic
7:40pm
Al said | 7:40pm | Report comment
Is it coincidence that players lose what form they do have as soon as they come under the guidence of our batting coach? It just seems they come to the team make some good scores and then after a week or so of “coaching” by langer they lose form and confidence altogether…… Maybe it’s just me…
7:59pm
Red Kev said | 7:59pm | Report comment
You’re right, Langer needs to be sent packing, the sooner the better.
9:07pm
Rhys said | 9:07pm | Report comment
But they all play their ‘natural game’ so well.
6:30pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:30pm | Report comment
OUT!
Gone, run-out! Lee’s not had his toes pegged back but he was a yard away from the crease when the throw hits the stumps.
It is that man, Thisara Perera again, as he throws down the stumps from an awkward position at mid-off. Lee drive the ball to his left at mid-off and Perera fielded it and threw it off balance.
Lee gone for a duck and Australia are 8/104 in 31.2
6:29pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:29pm | Report comment
Hurrah, it is Malinga, is certainly not what the Australians would be saying.
But Malinga it is.
6:28pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:28pm | Report comment
An excellent over and a spell of bowling from Herath. Only a single from his fourth over.
1/5 from his four overs.
Australia 7/103 in 31.
6:26pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:26pm | Report comment
Herath continues and he is darting them in – the ball is deviating just a little bit into the batsman instead of going away.
6:25pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:25pm | Report comment
One of the bowlers can bowl nine overs. Malinga has bowled only four so far. Does Jayawardene want to risk conceding a few with Malinga, who can also run through the tail?
Brett Lee, with his toe so sore, will not enjoy playing him for sure. For now though, it is Perera and Herath bowling in tandem.
7/102 in 30.
6:23pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:23pm | Report comment
Four!
Slapped by Hussey! Short, wide and Hussey cuts Perera away through point to get a boundary.
100 comes up for Australia.
7/101
6:21pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:21pm | Report comment
Brett Lee comes in now. He can bat a bit, having once helped his NSW Blues side win the Champions League T20 final.
Pats down the first ball he faces.
7/95 in 29. It is a 41-over game.
6:20pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:20pm | Report comment
OUT!
Herath strikes for Sri Lanka. It came back into the batsman, who thought it was going to turn away from him. The bat came down so late on it that the ball had already stuck his pads and the umpire had no hesitation in giving the batsman out.
7/95 in 28.5
6:16pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:16pm | Report comment
And a misfield from Malinga at third-man gets Hussey a couple of runs. The crowd does not celebrate, Hussey does not show his bat in acknowledgment but the fact is that he is now the top-scorer of the innings.
Batting on 17.
6:14pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:14pm | Report comment
Finally a single after resumption. Nine balls to score that first run.
McKay guides Perera to third-man.
6/89 in 27.3
6:13pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:13pm | Report comment
Thisara Perera comes on now.
1/11 in 3 for him.
6:12pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:12pm | Report comment
And it is a quickly-bowled maiden from Herath. Hussey seemed content in playing out the deliveries to set himself at the crease again.
6/88 in 27.
6:10pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:10pm | Report comment
It is Rangana Herath with the ball in his hands. Hussey on strike.
6:09pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:09pm | Report comment
Australia have one Batting Powerplay over remaining.
Despite what some may say, this reduction in overs could just be a slightly advantageous to Australia – consider this, 6/88 in 26 and needing to bat 50 overs versus 6/88 in 26, needing to bat 41.
The latter scenario allows the Aussies to throw their bats around and not worry too much about six wickets being down.
Play set to resume…
6:05pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:05pm | Report comment
Meanwhile, in the New Zealand v South Africa T20, Justin Ontong has hit four sixes in as many deliveries off a Kane Williamson over.
6:00pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:00pm | Report comment
The match has been reduced to being a 41-over-a-side encounter. And play should start soon enough.
The last time there was a resumption from a rain delay as long as this, Australia had really piled on the misery after a slow start before the rain came down. It was at the MCG against India. Can Hussey and co. do the same? Only 15 more overs to be bowled here.
5:45pm
Dylan said | 5:45pm | Report comment
How is wheater nw in SCG is it still raining
5:55pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:55pm | Report comment
It was drizzling, but it’s much, much better than about 45 minutes ago. The game should resume soon is my surmise.
5:37pm
jamesb said | 5:37pm | Report comment
the batting in Australian cricket is terrible overall, both at Australian level and shield level. Too many low scores at shield level
5:51pm
Red Kev said | 5:51pm | Report comment
Yep. But part of the poor state of the national team has to owned by the selectors.
Klinger was in superb form – wasn’t used and now isn’t.
Khawaja was in superb form – was jerked around and now isn’t.
D.Hussey has been in good form and never been used and now he’s old.
Hodge has been in good form and been overlooked and now he’s old.
Marcus North, Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh were never really consistent enough to play for Australia in the first place.
Then there’s the others
Katich got injured and never came back.
Jacques got injured and never came back.
Hughes lost all his confidence and form.
If the selectors had moved on Ponting (from the ODIs after the World Cup and from the Tests after the Ashes) maybe we’d have a settled and competent new batsman in the order, meaning Forrest could be replacing D.Hussey and the lineup would be more settled. Maybe if Haddin had been moved on when we all knew he should have been, Wade would be more settled.
In my opinion it is time for the selectors to do what the English did and pick some players and keep faith with them for 12-18 months and watch them mature in international cricket.
6:29pm
jamesb said | 6:29pm | Report comment
Red Kev
this is frustrating.
All the points you raised are extremely valid. Something rotten is happening with Australian cricket. At a shield match today, NSW were bowled out for 91. Qld again struggled with the bat, and today Australia is in deep trouble again with the bat.
What the hell is going on here!
9:06pm
lolly said | 9:06pm | Report comment
I don’t see how you can blame the selectors because NSW are not doing well this year.
Seriously there has been problems with batting in the Shield long before this selection panel came along. Bowlers have been tearing up the Shield for the past few years. It’s down to sporting pitches as much as anything. Look at WA, Tassie and Qld. Most if not all of their first pick seam bowlers have averages in the mid to low 20s.
Justin Langer hasn’t been anywhere near WA or Tassie or QLD and they all have fairly fragile batting line-ups. And SA have been rubbish for years and that’s on Adelaide Oval. If there are issues with our batsmen, it’s a damn sight deeper than the selectors or even the national batting coach (though I agree he shouldn’t be there).
9:12pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:12pm | Report comment
Haven’t the pitches changed in nature to suit the bowlers in recent times? There was a time when the tracks were like this but right throughout the 2000s, there wasn’t much help for the bowlers and the batsmen in general prospered.
Now, it is going back to the green and bouncy and the batsmen are no longer used to those conditions.
6:58pm
Red Kev said | 6:58pm | Report comment
I meant Forrest would be replacing M Hussey not D Hussey but I am sure you realised that.
And yes jamesb … something is rotten in the state of Denmark that is for certain.
5:35pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:35pm | Report comment
The main cover on the pitch continues to remain on because of the drizzle.
Further updates as and when I get ‘em.
5:32pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:32pm | Report comment
The drizzle’s still around but for some reason I see the covers being taken off.
5:28pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:28pm | Report comment
It continues to rain at the SCG and that means that we are in for a bit of a delay. The drainage facilities are excellent there but for them to take effect, the rain needs to stop.
Another game, a T20I between South Africa and New Zealand is on at Wellington. South Africa have lost three wickets in the first six overs for 38.
4:54pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:54pm | Report comment
News Update
Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of the rest of the series with a back injury. He will not be bowling for the rest of the season.
4:53pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:53pm | Report comment
It is still raining at the SCG for now. Umbrellas continue to remain open and no play for now.
Australia are 6/88 in 26, with only David Hussey as a top-order batsman still standing. McKay giving him company with Lee, Doherty and Starc to follow.
4:32pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:32pm | Report comment
It is still drizzling at the SCG and I will be back with further updates as I receive them.
4:18pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:18pm | Report comment
Rain or no rain, Australia are in a bit of a sticky soup.
The start was decent from Warner and Wade but once the left-handed basher departed to a slower ball from Malinga, the rest of the side failed to get going.
4:15pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:15pm | Report comment
A single for Hussey off a cover-drive that deserved much more. He is coming off a beautiful 72 in the previous game.
Rain stops plays now. Covers are on the field now.
4:17pm
lolly said | 4:17pm | Report comment
The Aussie batting has been pretty ordinary this series.
4:19pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:19pm | Report comment
Yeah, undoubtedly, but for some reason, none of the teams have really stamped their authority with respect to batting. Something to do with the pitches probably.
4:11pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:11pm | Report comment
Four!
Hussey drives Perera through the covers and it goes to the fence. Through the extra-cover in fact.
And it is drizzling at the SCG now.
4:12pm
SKW said | 4:12pm | Report comment
Why is it more and more often left to David Hussey to tidy things up – he is such an under rated player.
4:10pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:10pm | Report comment
Two off Herath’s first over.
6/83 at the halfway stage.
4:08pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:08pm | Report comment
It is spin now…Rangana Herath has been brought on.
4:06pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:06pm | Report comment
Wicket maiden from Perera. Clint McKay has been promoted up the order in place of Brett Lee.
I wonder if Lasith Malinga could be brought on now from one of the ends. He can go for a few but the lower-order batsmen won’t fancy playing him.
Brett Lee, especially is coming off a broken toe. Wonder what he will make of playing Malinga.
4:11pm
SKW said | 4:11pm | Report comment
Maybe Brett Lee wasnt expecting to bat…..
4:03pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:03pm | Report comment
OUT!
Perera, who had had a dropped catch off him in his first over, has a wicket in his second now.
Hits Christian flush on his pads and the umpire Simon Fry rules the batsman out.
The batsman shuffled to get the ball through the leg-side but failed to get a connection. My first reaction was that the ball was going down the leg-side but he was shuffling a lot…
…replays show that the ball was clipping the outside of the leg bail. DRS wouldn’t have saved him either that means.
6/81 in 24.
4:01pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:01pm | Report comment
Good over from Maharoof. Australia 5/81 in 23.
Maharoof’s analysis so far, 2/18 in 8 overs. Standout performance from the comeback man.
4:00pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:00pm | Report comment
Dropped!
Maharoof already has a caught and bowled to his name, but this is much more difficult. Hit back hard by Christian and Maharoof floors the return catch.
Two drops in two overs now.
3:58pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:58pm | Report comment
Australia have gotten to 80 in 22 but not before they have lost half their side. Would have been six wickets down and staring down the barrel.
As it is, Sri Lanka is still on top and this is the last recognised pair, David Hussey and Dan Christian.
3:57pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:57pm | Report comment
Four!
And he rubs in the dropped chance with a straight-driven four. Cruel game this…
3:55pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:55pm | Report comment
Dropped!
What was happening there! Malinga has dropped a sitter at third-man…
Again, Jayawardene almost made an amazing change. Brings on Thisara Perera for a bowl and off the very first ball, Hussey slashed it straight to the third-man fielder. 99 times out of 100, Malinga would have caught it but he drops it this time.
3:53pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:53pm | Report comment
A wicket and five from that over.
5/74 in 21 overs.
3:51pm
Matt said | 3:51pm | Report comment
I’m going to get home less than 2 hours after the game started and there won’t be anyone left to watch at this rate!
4:33pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:33pm | Report comment
The rain, in that case, should help your cause, Matt…
3:51pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:51pm | Report comment
OUT!
Mahela Jayawardene, take a bow! Malinga bowled only one over before he brings back Maharoof and the medium-pacer strikes!
Forrest edges the bowler to the slip which was kept for him and another starts goes begging.
I was just about to write after Malinga was removed from the attack after that one-over spell that it was worth understanding why Jayawardene changed him around. Now, after this wicket, I am even more interesting to understand his reasoning!
Half the side back into the pavillion for 74. 21st over in progress.
3:49pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:49pm | Report comment
Four!
Back to back boundaries, and this time it is Hussey. Short from Maharoof and he smashes him through mid-wicket.
Umm, Malinga bowled only one over in that spell, conceding only one run.
3:48pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:48pm | Report comment
Four!
Mathews has missed his lines and lengths throughout his spell. This time it is the line that gets shifted to the leg-stump and Forrest needs to get only a bat on it.
Goes all the way to the fence.
3:47pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:47pm | Report comment
David Hussey gets one in his half and drives through the covers for three. He is off the mark.
3:45pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:45pm | Report comment
It will be interesting to see how Forrest approaches this now. Naturally, he seems to be an attacking batsman but this situation and the conditions do not look too conducive for that kind of batting.
3:44pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:44pm | Report comment
Watchful now from David Hussey as only a single to Forrest.
4/61 in 19.
3:40pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:40pm | Report comment
Lasith Malinga comes on for a second spell. Probably a two-over spell if he does not get a wicket.
3:39pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:39pm | Report comment
OUT!
Six and Out! Mathews, who had been looking below par all through his short spell so far, gets the wicket against the run of play.
Hussey tried to cut him but only managed to get a faint feather through to the ‘keeper and this time, the umpire raises his finger.
The ball seemed too close to cut.
4/60 in 18.
3:38pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:38pm | Report comment
SIX!
Short! Shot! Hussey pulls Mathews over square-leg and that’s going all the way!
Hussey was getting a bit bogged down, batting on seven from 21. That should get him going.
3:34pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:34pm | Report comment
A single off that Maharoof over. He has made some comeback to the side, having conceded only 12 from his six overs and got a wicket.
3/54 in 17 overs and it is drinks.
3:28pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:28pm | Report comment
Four!
Forrest cuts away but more placed into the gap. No-one at the sweeper region and the ball rushes away. Mathews has conceded two boundaries in his short spell already.
3:27pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:27pm | Report comment
Appeal!
Huge appeal, but only by the wicket-keeper. Mathews, the bowler did not seem too interested and nor does the Hot-Spot.
3/49 in 15.2
3:26pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:26pm | Report comment
And after a bit of a freeing of arms, the knots are back on. Maiden over from Maharoof.
3/48 in 15 and the Bowling Powerplay has now been taken.
3:23pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:23pm | Report comment
A better over for Australia, seven off it. 3/48 in 14.
The Bowling Powerplay cannot be taken till before the start of the 16th, but the field looks attacking enough. Jayawardene has been fearless in his captaincy.
3:19pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:19pm | Report comment
Four!
Forrest goes after the first ball from Angelo Mathews and lofts him over extra-cover for a four.
He does look like the kind of batsman who plays his strokes, no matter what.
3:19pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:19pm | Report comment
Maharoof has bowled his four for 11 and picked up Ponting’s wicket.
3/41 in 13.
3:17pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:17pm | Report comment
Four!
And Hussey takes the first step towards dousing the fire…drives it through extra-cover and it goes racing away.
3/41 in 12.4
3:15pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:15pm | Report comment
A maiden over that saw the run-out.
Kulasekara has now bowled six overs for 15 and while he hasn’t picked up any wicket, the pressure he has exerted has helped the other three to fall.
3/37 in 12.
Michael Hussey has joined Forrest. Can he douse the fire?
3:11pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:11pm | Report comment
OUT!
Talk of inexperience at the highest level here…Wade’s gone, run-out!
The whole of this series, Australia’s running between the wickets has been below par and here was another example of it. Wade drove the ball into the covers and it was brilliantly fielded by the short-cover fielder. For some reason, Wade, who was already 4-5 steps down the pitch, decided to complete the single and was caught way short at the non-striker’s end.
Schoolboys’ stuff.
3/37 in 11.3
3:21pm
Chris said | 3:21pm | Report comment
And this is the price we pay for the rotation policy. If the batting lineup changes every game (which it has), how are the batsmen supposed to develop effective partnerships?
3:32pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:32pm | Report comment
They have had both, personnel and positional changes in the line-up – it was surprising to see Wade dropped down in the previous game.
3:09pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:09pm | Report comment
It is Peter Forrest who joins Wade now.
Forrest is in his second game. Wade’s playing his fourth. Can Sri Lanka take advantage of this lack of experience?
2/37 in 11.
3:07pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:07pm | Report comment
OUT!
Ponting’s gone, he never got away in the game and he is now yet to get away in the series either. Single figure score for him and Maharoof has a wicket on return…
…Ponting seemed deceived by the pace and in his attempt to flick it down the leg-side he managed to loop it back to the bowler. Maharoof catches it rather easily and the elation can be seen.
2/37 in 10.4 and Sri Lanka on top at this stage.
3:12pm
Chris said | 3:12pm | Report comment
Punter shouldn’t even be in the team on his form this year, and yet they make him captain……
3:19pm
Rhys said | 3:19pm | Report comment
Yeah, 11 runs in 4 games @ 2.75 – time for him to be ‘rested’ Haddin style. He won’t be at the 2015 World Cup so is just denying a younger player the chance to establish a place.
3:57pm
Dianne said | 3:57pm | Report comment
Exactly! When Mickey Arthurs took over, I thought, great now we’ll see some new talent, but no, they just keep picking players who do not know that their use by date has long expired.
3:04pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:04pm | Report comment
For once Kulasekara pitches it short, which is a crime at his pace. Wade pulls but does not get the gap and has only a single to show for it.
Ponting, at the other hand, looks unsettled for now. Tries to late cut Kulasekara in a similar fashion to what Tendulkar had tried against Angelo Mathews in the opening CB series game. Misses completely.
1/36 in 10.
3:02pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:02pm | Report comment
Waft!
Ponting goes after Kulasekara but does not connect. That did not swing any where and Ponting seemed to have adjusted his stroke for an in-swinger I presume.
1/34 in 9.3
3:00pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:00pm | Report comment
Maharoof’s getting the bounce and slight deviation. If the Australian batsmen thought he was going to be easy meat on his comeback, it hasn’t been easy so far for them against him.
Ponting seemed surprised by the bounce but he nudges it away to get off the mark.
1/33 in 9.
2:57pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:57pm | Report comment
Couple of dots to captain Ponting.
Australia 1/30 in 8 overs.
Sri Lanka have a lot of pace bowling options, three have already bowled and Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera are still to come on.
2:55pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:55pm | Report comment
Single to Wade and Ponting’s finally on strike.
16 balls since he came to the crease, 16 balls since he faced a ball.
2:54pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:54pm | Report comment
Four!
Kulasekara loses his line again, drifts down the leg-side and Wade nicks it to the fine, fine-leg for a four.
Unusual to see Kulasekara dole away these deliveries…
1/29 in 7.
2:53pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:53pm | Report comment
Three from the Maharoof over including one chip shot over mid-off that could have easily gone to hand.
Wade’s on 5 and he will retain strike once again.
1/25 in 7. Ponting’s yet to face a ball.
2:52pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:52pm | Report comment
The lights are being switched on now. 20 minutes ago, it was bright and sunny.
2:50pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:50pm | Report comment
Farveez Maharoof is on now.
The last time he played in an ODI was June 2010. Injuries and poor form have kept him out…
2:49pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:49pm | Report comment
Only one run from the Kulasekara over for Wade.
He has consumed 15 balls for his two runs. Can he make it count now that he has used up so many?
1/22 in 6.
2:47pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:47pm | Report comment
Ricky Ponting at three.
Warner had not looked comfortable against Malinga but for some reason, he was still trying to go after the quick bowler. Turned into an easy prey.
It’s cloudy now at the SCG. Will we see a shower sometime soon?
2:44pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:44pm | Report comment
OUT!
Warner’s misery ends and Malinga has the wicket…
The over had a lot of things, slower bouncer, fast yorker and then this one was another change-down of pace that was not pitched right up. Warner, to begin with would have wanted to go after the ball but checked his stroke at the last moment. The ball looped up and mid-on took an easy catch.
1/21 in 5.
2:43pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:43pm | Report comment
Missed!
Yorker, beaten, just gets the bat down in time. Dug out on the crease, but it still rolls back on to the stumps…before turning away and missing the leg-stump by millimetres.
2:42pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:42pm | Report comment
Bouncer!
That was a slower bouncer and Warner played it like he had just spotted Joel Garner sending it down. Looped up in the air but no fielder in the region it fell.
Wade gets off the mark off the next ball. Taken him nine balls to get there.
2:40pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:40pm | Report comment
Four Wides!
Whoa! That was wide down the leg-side it was almost embarrassing. Did it get stuck in his hands?
0/19
2:38pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:38pm | Report comment
Four!
This time Nuwan Kulasekara drifts down the leg-side and Warner only guides it away to the the fine-leg.
But not only is fine-leg missing but the fielder is in a catching position in the circle. He had to dive but to no avail.
A single to Warner takes him to 12. Wade’s on 0.
2:35pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:35pm | Report comment
And Malinga rounds off the over with another slower one.
The ball is white, new and shining. And Malinga has still opted to take pace off it.
0/9 in 3.
2:33pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:33pm | Report comment
Two slower balls from Malinga to follow that slower ball. Warner beaten completely, almost like he did not expect Malinga to bowl his slower ones so early.
And a third one in a row…again no run
2:31pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:31pm | Report comment
Four!
Shot! The first of the match and Warner is away.
Malinga tried to york Warner but it wasn’t quite right and went down the leg-side. Warner flicked it away into the vacant square-leg region.
2:30pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:30pm | Report comment
A watchful set of openers see out the Kulsekara over for just a single.
The last of those deliveries swung away from Matthew Wade and the batsman seemed to be stuck on crease. Wafted at it but lucky to not get any bat on it
0/4 in 2.
2:26pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:26pm | Report comment
Nuwan Kulasekara with the other new ball. The ODI version of the ‘second’ new ball these days.
He had figures of 1/39 in his 10 against India.
2:26pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:26pm | Report comment
A single to Warner through the extra-cover region followed by a dug-out yorker going down the fine-leg for two leg-byes.
0/3 in 1.
2:24pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:24pm | Report comment
It is Lasith Malinga with the ball and Dave Warner and Matthew Wade at the crease. So the first thing that Ponting has done on getting the role of captaincy is to push himself down the order…
2:23pm
jameswm said | 2:23pm | Report comment
Storm due in a few hours.
I think it usually helps batting first for a Duckworth Lewis result.
2:14pm
dc said | 2:14pm | Report comment
You would think Pup could have a shave…he is on TV now….where is the pride? !!!
2:03pm
Peter Metcalfe said | 2:03pm | Report comment
If Brett Lee is playimg why is Ryan Harris still in your shown squad ??
1:56pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 1:56pm | Report comment
Ricky Ponting has won the toss and Australia will bat first.
Lee replaces Harris and Clarke has been replaced by Hussey. No Holland in the side, which means Doherty is fit to play this one. Will Sri Lanka be able to get him away?
Sri Lanka has made two changes as well and they are interesting ones. Upul Tharanga, who has three single-digit scores to his name has been dropped and Lahiru Thirimanne has been brought in to the side. He may open the innings. Offie Senanayake is also given a break and in his place comes all-rounder Farveez Maharoof. He is of the Angelo Mathews mould…
Start in 25 minutes.
2:29pm
Red Kev said | 2:29pm | Report comment
Dammit I wanted to see Australia chase a total. I still have doubts about our ability to do that.
2:39pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:39pm | Report comment
It’s a long series, they will have their chances I am sure. India have chased in all their games interestingly…
1:51pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 1:51pm | Report comment
Welcome to the live coverage of the sixth game of the CB series between Australia and Sri Lanka.
Australia have nine points from three games, with two wins and a loss. Sri Lanka have yet to win a game but they do have two points to their name, thanks to their tied game against India at the Adelaide Oval. A lot at stake then, for the visitors, with a loss turning things difficult for them.
Lot of speculation about Australia’s ‘new’ captain, Ricky Ponting and their rotation policy otherwise. We will discuss more as the game progresses. Toss in a few moments…