Australia vs Sri Lanka: First Test cricket live scores, updates (Day 4)
Roar Guru By Suneer Chowdhary, 17 Dec 2012 Suneer Chowdhary is a Roar Guru
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- Australia v Sri Lanka, Cricket, Ed Cowan, hobart test, live blog, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson
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Live Scores
Scores updated each minute. REFRESH NOW
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Australia v Sri Lanka BLUNDSTONE ARENA, DECEMBER 14-18, 2012 1st Test - AUS v SLA |
|---|
| Australia 1st Inn | 5/450 |
| Sri Lanka 1st Inn | 336 All Out |
| Australia 2nd Inn | 9/278 |
| Sri Lanka 2nd Inn | 255 All Out |
| Australia won the toss and elected to bat | |
| Australia won by 137 runs | |
| Sri Lanka | Over:119.2 RR:2.14 | ||||
| Batsmen | Runs | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UWMBCA Welagedara | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| RMS Eranga* | 6 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 30.00 |
| Australia | |||||
| Bowlers | O | M | R | W | Econ |
| MA Starc* | 28.2 | 7 | 63 | 5 | 2.22 |
| PM Siddle | 26.0 | 11 | 50 | 4 | 1.92 |
| Recent Overs: | ||
| . . . 2 . . | | . . . . . . | | . . . . . . | |
| Last Wicket: | Eranga, 6 (c:Wade b:Starc) |
| Current Partnership: | 5 runs, 11 balls, RR:45.45 |
A century by Tillakaratne Dilshan was not enough to prevent hosts Australia from taking a substantial lead going into the fourth day of the Hobart Test match against his Sri Lanka.
We’ll bring you the live scores of the action throughout this game, with the fourth day starting at 10.00 am local.
Australia would have gone into the third day thinking of finishing off the Sri Lankan first innings for a song, but Dilshan and Angelo Mathews resisted for more than 56 overs. Mathews’ 75 supported Dilshan’s 15th Test match century for the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s fightback on the third day.
At one stage, the home team looked bereft of ideas and of bowling options, especially after Ben Hilfenahaus left the field early in the day because of a side strain.
He did not take field again and it was left to Peter Siddle and others to eke out the remaining Sri Lankan wickets.
Sri Lanka lost their last four wickets for 20 runs or the damage could have been a lot worse for the hosts.
At 6/316, they were in a decent position to chisel off the Australian lead to manageable levels. Instead, Siddle scalped the last three of four wickets and helped Australia earn a 114-run lead over their opposition.
In their second innings Australia were 27 without loss, having pushed their advantage over their opposition to 141 with ten second innings wickets standing.
The pitch did not deteriorate as much as one would have expected but Australia are still sitting pretty going into the penultimate day. They will be aiming at setting a target of around 350 with a day and half a session to bowl at the visitors.
To do that though, they will need to shun a bit of their defensive approach that was on display for the 14 overs that they batted. Therein will lie Sri Lanka’s chance to bag a few early wickets and put the pressure back on Australia.
We will bring you the live coverage throughout the game from Hobart and hope to receive your opinions as the action unfolds.
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11:01am
Neuen said | 11:01am | Report comment
These 2 are the key. If Australia can get 1 of them its game over.
6:08pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:08pm | Report comment
And that is the end of that, a maiden over to end the day as Sri Lanka end the day at 2/65, in their chase of 393 for a win.
An absorbing day of Test cricket and one that saw the pitch deteriorate a little more. Batting on the fifth day may not be too easy but Australia will be mindful of how they rotate their limited bowling options.
323 more needed for a win and it will be interesting to see if Sri Lanka will go for a victory or look to take it to the final session with loads of wicket intact before deciding on the course of action.
Personally I think they will bat in a manner not too different from what they did today after the loss of T Dilshan and try and play out the day’s play. They will probably be watching the highlights of the Adelaide Test whole evening too.
Tomorrow’s play begins at 10.10 am AEDST. I will be back with the fifth day’s play.
6:01pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:01pm | Report comment
Right so one more over remaining here. Watson will bowl this one.
2/65
6:00pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:00pm | Report comment
That is outside the off and Jayawardene cuts it hard through the slips. That is a 400% increase in his strike-rate.
5:59pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:59pm | Report comment
Michael Hussey comes on now as a change-up. Sanga has a wide slip for him.
Jayawardene batting on 1 from 33, Sanga’s moved on 18 from 83.
5:57pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:57pm | Report comment
35 overs of the Sri Lankan innings are gone and Sri Lanka are 2/60. Three more overs to go for the day.
5:54pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:54pm | Report comment
Siddle and Watson are bowling well here, making the batsmen to play most of them. The batsmen are doing well with those outside the off but for the ones on the stump, they have to get their feet out to play ‘em on the front foot. Bat-pad probably?
5:49pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:49pm | Report comment
Michael Slater on Channel Nine: “It is treacherous out there” and for once he is not exaggerating.
5:45pm
Jason said | 5:45pm | Report comment
I think we might regret that dropped catch off Sanga.
5:37pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:37pm | Report comment
Watson comes on and what do we have here? It has rolled over to the keeper and no it is not Trevor Chappell with the ball.
From round the stumps and the ball hits a crack and just dies. Goes at shin height to the keeper.
5:33pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:33pm | Report comment
Where did Shane Warne come from? That was a leg-spinner from Siddle at 140 km/hr. Hits a crack probably and explodes away at a degree that would make most spinners proud!
2/57
5:31pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:31pm | Report comment
Starc’s off and Siddle has been brought back into the attack now.
5:29pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:29pm | Report comment
Short from Lyon and Sanga has flashed it away to the deep point fence for a four. Finally a loose ball in an otherwise tough bowling spell and he gets it away.
2/57
5:26pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:26pm | Report comment
Whoa, after all those that have gone flat on the pitch, bouncing two or three times before getting to the keeper, here is one that jumps up and hitting him on his chest! My, my, that is not good news going into the final day tomorrow.
For Sri Lanka that is.
2/52 in the 28th.
5:41pm
jameswm said | 5:41pm | Report comment
Not good news for Wade either.
5:19pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:19pm | Report comment
The bowling has been tight since the last wicket and the runs have been hard to come by until…
…until Starc gets one very full and drifting on to his pads, and Sanga glances it down the boundary at fine-leg, for a four!
2/52 in 26
5:15pm
Red Kev said | 5:15pm | Report comment
Well if Australia can get one more they will feel the game is all but won. Sri Lanka need these two still at the crease at stumps to have any chance of a win.
5:22pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:22pm | Report comment
The way Sri Lanka have batted so far, it looks like they have pulled their shutters down. They are looking to bat the remaining time today and the 90 plus overs tomorrow to save the game than go for the win.
5:32pm
Red Kev said | 5:32pm | Report comment
If they get 1 run an over for the rest of the day they leaves them 110 a session tomorrow, that is easily gettable just batting normally.
5:39pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:39pm | Report comment
A wicket here, or even tomorrow morning and suddenly, the pressure to bat out time rather than score runs will be back on. And the pitch is seriously misbehaving now.
Sri Lanka will be tempted into playing the way they are by one other factor – rain. They will know that with inclement weather always a possibility, they could have a good chance of playing much lesser than the 90 odd overs remaining.
5:07pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:07pm | Report comment
Bowled him, Karunaratne!
Karunaratne has received one that Dilshan had in the first innings from Starc; a yorker on the off stump and more vitally out of the blue. He fails to get his bat down in time and the timber is on the floor. Starc gets his first.
Two down and for 47.
5:04pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:04pm | Report comment
Clarke’s still clutching his hamstring fielding in the slips. He will need each one of those seven days between the first and the second Test to recover from this injury.
1/46 in 23.
5:01pm
Matt said | 5:01pm | Report comment
Those stats on Sanga are nuts – since he stopped keeping, after 60 odd games his average is 65. Wow, imagine if he hadn’t kept from the start.
5:08pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:08pm | Report comment
By extension I wonder the same about Jacques Kallis, had he not bowled all those overs, would he have been head and shoulders above Ponting, Tendulkar, Lara and Sanga? The assumption being that bowling medium-pace takes more out of you than wicket-keeping.
5:19pm
Matt said | 5:19pm | Report comment
I wouldn’t be surprised. The mind boggles. I’d rather a wicket or two a match then 10 or so extra runs though!
4:57pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:57pm | Report comment
A decent over from Starc followed by Karunaratne going down the track and spanking Lyon over mid-wicket for a four. Not that Lyon should have a lot of problem with that; a. it is keeping very low and b. there is always that one that could turn away from one of those cracks.
4:51pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:51pm | Report comment
Change in bowling and Mitchell Starc has another spell.
4:40pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:40pm | Report comment
Lyon has had a couple missed off him this game – a stumping and now a catch. Wonder what he will be feeling as a spinner.
4:46pm
jameswm said | 4:46pm | Report comment
I never saw that stumping – was it tough? Wade’s place is far from secure.
4:49pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:49pm | Report comment
Straightforward as they come. The ball went through his gloves.
4:51pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:51pm | Report comment
This was in the first innings by the way.
5:19pm
Red Kev said | 5:19pm | Report comment
I have to disagree. If Australia insists on having Watson in the side they need Wade as a keeper-batsman.
If Watson is dropped as a top 6 batsman then Australia can look at replacing Wade with a genuine gloveman. However with Watson’s half-a-batsman performances (only member of the Australian top seven not to register a half-century in the match) they need a wicketkeeper who is a genuine batsman as well.
I know you think Nevill is the second coming, but he isn’t even keeping wicket for NSW, and Wade is far more composed with the bat than Haddin (who also missed a lot of chances last summer so isn’t any better with the gloves).
4:39pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:39pm | Report comment
Dropped by Clarke!
Sanga was trying to cut it off Layon and gets the edge through to the slip, Clarke. It went quickly to the captain but went straight to him and Clarke fails to get his hands together! Sitter for someone who takes more difficult ones than those.
4:45pm
jameswm said | 4:45pm | Report comment
Geez dropping Sangakkara for very little – do they want to win this?
4:36pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:36pm | Report comment
Finally some runs for Karunaratne, who isn’t getting too many away too easily. Flicked away off one that is on the pads from Watson and it gets to the fence.
Some of the deliveries are bouncing twice before getting to the keeper.
1/35
4:24pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:24pm | Report comment
And again! Sanga taps it to the leg-side and it is to Warner yet again! The pick-up and the throw is in one motion and fortunately for the batsman he is back in. Confusion in the running between the wickets.
4:22pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:22pm | Report comment
That could have been a run-out there!
Tapped to the off side by Sanga and the non-striker wanted a run. Warner is at backward point and has an arm that has been hurting for the last couple of overs. He whips out a throw that narrowly misses the stumps and Karunaratne survives. And Warner winces in disappointment and in a lot of pain.
4:20pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:20pm | Report comment
Just one run off Nathan Lyon’s first over. Not too much turn as expected but it will be interesting to see if he can get some help from the vagaries of the bounce.
1/28
4:13pm
Chris said | 4:13pm | Report comment
James Pattinson tweets that he would have thrown the ball at Karunaratne’s head. Charming.
Deleted as quickly as he put it up.
Disgusting comment, if Katich got fined for critiscising the facical finish to Wednesday’s T20 then Pattinson deserves a huge fine for that.
4:16pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:16pm | Report comment
Seriously, a sad comment to make if he did make it. He needs to follow Andrew Flintoff out of cricket and into a sport that condones such hits.
4:19pm
Chris said | 4:19pm | Report comment
Personally I’m glad he said it. It shows the world exactly the type of person he is.
Oh for the days when gentlemen like Stuart Clark played for our country.
4:23pm
eagleJack said | 4:23pm | Report comment
Of course you are. It will give you something else to be bitter about
4:39pm
Sandy said | 4:39pm | Report comment
I think Chris needs to open a window, he desperately needs some fresh air. He really is a sad sod…a troll…or off his meds.
4:11pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:11pm | Report comment
Whoa, first ball and Watson has stuck! This is like the Watson of the World T20 where he kept taking wickets in the first over of his spells!
It was on the length and Dilshan was trying to defend at it, but there is a nibble through to the keeper and Sri Lanka are one down!
1/26
4:09pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:09pm | Report comment
It is slow and steady batting from the Lankan openers. They probably know that behind Siddle and Starc, they could be in for some respite, in the absence of Hilfenhaus.
Every now and then there is one that does brings about oohs and aahs from the fielders – an lbw appeal, an inside edge or a missed waft – but so far it has been decent going for them.
Watson comes on now.
4:03pm
Chris said | 4:03pm | Report comment
By declaring far to early and showing absolutely no respect to the ability of the Sri Lankan team Clarke has now put Australia in a position to lose an unloseable match.
Most of the plaudits this guy has received of late have confused his batting ability for his captaincy ability. They are completely different things.
4:16pm
Rob from Brumby Country said | 4:16pm | Report comment
I disagree. The end result was near enough to a 400-run lead with four sessions to go. That’s a great position to be in on any pitch, and doubly so on the one that they are playing on.
I think you’ve confused disrespect with ambition.
4:20pm
Red Kev said | 4:20pm | Report comment
393 in 125 (ish) overs is gettable but Sri Lanka will have to bat really well to make it.
I agree with Rob, Clarke risks losing matches for the chance to win, he is ambitious not disrespectful.
4:30pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:30pm | Report comment
The problem with unloseable matches is what we saw at Adelaide. The opposition will drop anchor very soon and on pitches in this day and age, it isn’t that difficult to defend for 90 plus overs.
Instead if there is some kind of a carrot dangling for the opposition, there will be that odd chance that they will end up offering – like we see with these running between the wicket gaffes between Sanga and Karunaratne.
4:01pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:01pm | Report comment
Big appeal for an lbw and the ump gives it not-out. After a lengthy discussion, they have decided to go for the DRS review.
Surprisingly at that I must say because he looked like he was outside the off and it comes out that the batsman had hit it,
4:03pm
jameswm said | 4:03pm | Report comment
Doubly poor decision. They need a wicky with a better idea of what’s out.
4:14pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:14pm | Report comment
To be fair not too many teams understand the nuances of using the DRS. To the extent that there are some boards which refuse to accept its existence. Or one board.
4:17pm
Red Kev said | 4:17pm | Report comment
I am not sure why you are trying to blame that on Wade, Siddle was the one adamant it was out (according to the radio at least).
3:54pm
Rob from Brumby Country said | 3:54pm | Report comment
What the hell, Starc? You peg the ball at the batsman and then you’re just gonna walk away? Disgusting behaviour.
If you’re not going to be a gentleman and apologise for chucking it at him, you should at least stand your ground and hear what the batsman has to say about it. Walking away is just cowardly.
4:01pm
jameswm said | 4:01pm | Report comment
They don’t tell you about that on cricinfo!
Odd, because Starc really comes across as a genuinely nice bloke, always a smile on the dial.
And Rob it was only the ankle, not a shot on the body, which is where you’d aim if you wanted to hurt him.
4:04pm
Rob from Brumby Country said | 4:04pm | Report comment
The umpire had to stop him and force an apology out of him. Perhaps he was just in a hurry to get back to his mark because he felt a bit embarrassed about it, but that’s not how it looked live. Karunaratne was not the slightest bit amused, though, and neither was I. He should have shown some responsibility for it.
And yes, you’re quite right, he wasn’t aiming to hit him, it was just an awful throw. But I’ve always felt that if you go for it when there is zero chance of a run-out and you hit the batsman as a result, you should apologise. Or, at least stand your ground. Don’t just turn away and act like nothing happened!
3:54pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:54pm | Report comment
Lot of aggro in there. Starc throws a ball back at the batsman, Karunaratne, and it hits the batsman. Umpire needs to intervene and that ultimately brings out some sort of an apology from the bowler.
At the other end, Dilshan has flicked one away from Siddle to the fence. Good stuff this…
0/20 in the sixth over
3:44pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:44pm | Report comment
Clarke’s obviously recovered enough to take the field. Might just be taking on a session-by-session basis with him.
3:47pm
sittingbison said | 3:47pm | Report comment
Although the physios are onto it, he really should be off the field getting iced or whatever. If he doesn’t make the next test this will prove to be stupid.
3:39pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:39pm | Report comment
It has been a positive start from Sri Lanka. Dilshan has cracked one through the covers for a four, Karunaratne is looking play everything straight as well.
0/13 in the third.
3:27pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:27pm | Report comment
Mitchell Starc to take the new ball and fronting him will be Dimuth Karunaratne. T Dilshan will hope for continuing form.
3:35pm
jameswm said | 3:35pm | Report comment
Massive test for Starc here. I’d almost say his short term test future on the line, although the contenders are scarce with Pattinson, Cummins, Harris, Hazlewood, Hilfy and Hastings all injured.
I think Bird could come in for Hilfy in Melbourne. Similar type of bowler. Starc fighting to hold off Mitch Johnson.
3:42pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:42pm | Report comment
Yep, the issue is with the scarcity. Throwing John Hastings in the mix showed how difficult it can get at the highest level…so if Starc can show improvement from his first innings performance, he should get another chance to feature in the second game.
3:45pm
sittingbison said | 3:45pm | Report comment
will have to bend his back a bit. Low 130s doesn’t cut it without some sideways movement. Although they lost to Langer and Gilly, it was great watching Shoaib, Akram and Waqar bowling in high 140s and 150s on the replays yesterday during rain break.
3:53pm
Red Kev said | 3:53pm | Report comment
Surely Johnson will be back in for Starc (unless he wins us the match) and Bird or Cutting will replace Hilfenhaus (assuming he is ruled out).
3:54pm
jameswm said | 3:54pm | Report comment
I’d have Bird out of those two. Cutting doesn’t really cut it for me, excuse the pun. He goes for runs a bit too often, too hot and cold.
I don’t think Hilfy will be back from a side strain in a week.
4:02pm
Red Kev said | 4:02pm | Report comment
I agree, but in the selection meeting I would make sure at least one other bowler was evaluated and discussed, and those are the two.
3:10pm
Rob from Brumby Country said | 3:10pm | Report comment
That is a satisfactory innings for Australia. By making it through til tea, they will have bought the physios some time to get Clarke moving freely. 400ish runs over four sessions on that pitch is what you’d imagine that they’d have been aiming for.
I will be surprised if Clarke doesn’t take to the field after the interval. He’s too competitive to sit out so long as he can still field at slip. That’s how he strikes me, anyway.
3:06pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:06pm | Report comment
Round the stumps and hits the pads of Hilfenhaus, given out lbw to Herath. He does not call for a review, despite having one left.
Herath picks up his fifth wicket, getting to 60 sticks this calendar.
Tea will be taken because Clarke won’t bat and Sri Lanka need 393 to win the game. Back in 15 minutes.
3:08pm
Brian said | 3:08pm | Report comment
Is Clarke fielding or will Watson captain? Mind you the pitch isn’t great so I can’t see SL getting close
3:40pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:40pm | Report comment
Clarke’s on the field, in the slips.
3:09pm
jameswm said | 3:09pm | Report comment
Wouldn’t you take the review? I mean, it might have been a no ball, you never know.
Doesn’t really matter, they would have declared 4 minutes later anyway I guess.
3:12pm
Rob from Brumby Country said | 3:12pm | Report comment
It was out. Going for the review wouldn’t have helped Australia, it would’ve just given more ammunition to those people who argue that the DRS is being abused by the players and should be removed.
3:00pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:00pm | Report comment
Swings into the batsman and Hussey glances it to the fine-leg fence for a four.
News from the dressing room is that Clarke will not bat. The bigger and the more immediate question is whether he will be available to lead today.
2:56pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:56pm | Report comment
This is what CA has to say: “@MClarke23 has a right hamstring injury which is being assessed by team medical staff.”
Hilfenhaus comes in at 11.
3:00pm
langou said | 3:00pm | Report comment
Have we ruled out Clarke coming back out to bat?
3:00pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:00pm | Report comment
Yes, he is not batting again today.
2:55pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:55pm | Report comment
And now this will make Herath happier! Fuller on the middle and Lyon attempts a sweep, too full to do that and he misses it. The ball goes through to hit the stumps and end the Lyon show.
Eight down with a lead of 385.
2:54pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:54pm | Report comment
This will be painful for Sri Lanka, Lyon slog sweeps Herath for a boundary. Follows it up with another sweep to fine-leg for a couple of runs.
2:52pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:52pm | Report comment
There is definite amount of abrasion on the track that is helping the ball to reverse.
And even as I say that, Lyon gets one rare loose ball on his pads and it is flicked away to square-leg for a four!
2:49pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:49pm | Report comment
Hilfy has his pads on so, Australia have a couple of wickets left. 374 is a good lead already I feel.
2:48pm
Chris said | 2:48pm | Report comment
It has to be said that Sri Lanka, with 3 50+ averages in their team (plus Dilshan and Mathews looking good in the first innings) could win this.
Unlikely, but far more likely than you would have thought an hour ago.
2:45pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:45pm | Report comment
Hits for a four before being given out lbw!
Starc had smacked a good length back to the bowler, and it went to the fence for four. This is followed by a yorker-length ball that hits him flush below the shoe and it was swinging away down the leg-side. DRS used by Starc after a bit of thought and it shows that the ball was chipping the leg-stump, given out lbw by the third ump too.
7/256 and a lead of 370. With Clarke injured only two wickets remain standing. And if Hilfenhaus cannot come out to bat either, this is the last pair!
2:41pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:41pm | Report comment
Short of length and pulls his first ball to deep square-leg for a single, Starc’s off the mark.
2:39pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:39pm | Report comment
Edged and caught in the slips
That is the end of Peter Siddle, edging Welegedara to the slips. Fifth wicket in the game for the left-hander as Australia lose their sixth.
2:38pm
jameswm said | 2:38pm | Report comment
32 off last 3 overs, even with Clarke’s injury.
only another 35 needed in the next 30 mins to be 400 ahead by tea.
2:36pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:36pm | Report comment
Down the track and almost pushed it over long-off for a six! No sooner did Clarke leave the field has Hussey started tonking them around. Inside out over long-off for a six!
And this is followed by Peter Siddle joining into the fun as well. On his pads and flicked away to the backward square-leg region for a four!
5/249 and the lead is up to 363
2:34pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:34pm | Report comment
That is not great news for Australia, from the point of view of captaincy. Australia have already gotten themselves to a good enough score already, anything more will be a bonus. But will Clarke come out to field when Sri Lanka chase.
2:32pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:32pm | Report comment
The physiotherapist Alex Kountouris has come out to have a look at captain Michael Clarke, who is stretching his hamstring. Oh my, he is retiring hurt now.
2:34pm
jameswm said | 2:34pm | Report comment
Great, just what we need. Our best batsman and 3 of our best 4 bowlers all injured.
2:35pm
boes said | 2:35pm | Report comment
So if its serious does that mean Watson to captain boxing day……
2:37pm
Christo the Daddyo said | 2:37pm | Report comment
Noooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2:38pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:38pm | Report comment
Don’t see anyone else who can do the job. Unless they get in George Bailey as Clarke’s replacement into the playing 11! Or Ponting does a Bob Simpson.
2:39pm
Christo the Daddyo said | 2:39pm | Report comment
Surely Mr Cricket?
2:39pm
jameswm said | 2:39pm | Report comment
I’d have Huss as fill-in skipper.
Does it mean Quiney coming back or Khawaja? Hard for Ussie to press for selection when he’s not playing any cricket at the moment.
2:31pm
jameswm said | 2:31pm | Report comment
We need 50 off the next 10 overs to be 400 ahead at tea. I reckon that’s the target.
2:33pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:33pm | Report comment
For now they need a captain on field when Sri Lanka come on to bat.
2:31pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:31pm | Report comment
So when Clarke is in the mood that he is now, you don’t bowl friendly full-tosses at the captain. That is exactly what he does and Clarke blasts it to mid-wicket for another four.
Follows it up with a couple of runs to the fine-leg, moves on to 56.
5/238 with a lead of 352.
2:29pm
jameswm said | 2:29pm | Report comment
Clarke 21 off his last 10
2:31pm
jameswm said | 2:31pm | Report comment
27 off his last 13.
2:29pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:29pm | Report comment
What a way to get to another 50 for Clarke!
It was on the middle and angling away and Clarke walks across and wants to tap it over the leg-side again. Gets a leading edge over the bowler and almost runs away to the fence. Three well-taken runs takes him to 51 off 43.
Nearing 1500 runs this calendar year. Average of more than 100. Bradmanesque stuff.
2:27pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:27pm | Report comment
And now for a six!
This is Clarke showing what good form can do to you. This is not a great pitch to score runs very quickly and he is able to do just that. He peppers that short boundary on the leg-side yet again, smashes it over mid-wicket for a six this time.
48 for Clarke off only 42 balls. T20 captain George Bailey could be a tad apprehensive here.
2:24pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:24pm | Report comment
Smacked for four over mid-wicket
Clarke’s not holding back as tea approaches…it was round the stumps and on the off stump, he slogs it over mid-wicket for another boundary.
2:23pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:23pm | Report comment
And now Clarke opens the face of the bat through to third-man for a four! The fielder hasn’t been sent out deep there and the captain takes full advantage of that.
5/214
2:21pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:21pm | Report comment
Whoa, whoa! The ball has disappeared in one of the cracks on the pitch!
It was angling away, pitching middling and going outside off and it just does not bounce. The kind of delivery that should put some fear in the Sri Lankan batsmen.
2:19pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:19pm | Report comment
Appeal for lbw, not given and Sri Lanka are using the DRS!
It was Michael Clarke who was hit on his pads off one that is sent quicker and the defensive stroke elicits an appeal. Unfortunately for the tourists, the ball was hitting the pads outside the line of the off stump.
2:09pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:09pm | Report comment
Clarke is in good form and this time he slogs it over square-leg for a four. It was a very fullish ball and Clarke took it as a full-toss and spanked it away.
Evidently he knew that the on-side fielder on the fence was not where he hit it that time.
5/204 (lead of 318)
2:06pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:06pm | Report comment
Chanaka Welegedara replaces Eranga and bowls a decent first five balls, where he concedes only one.
Then off the last one, Clarke shimmies down the track and gets bit of an outside half of the bat that flies over the covers for four!
5/195 (lead of 309)
2:01pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:01pm | Report comment
Australia’s lead has passed 300 now. The runs have come fairly quickly after lunch break. As quickly as the wickets.
2:00pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:00pm | Report comment
Wickets going by the wayside, that is the fifth one down now. Wade was going down the track but does not exactly get the power he would ave wanted, easily caught at long-on. Five down for 181.
1:38pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 1:38pm | Report comment
Michael; Clarke, down the order by one, comes in and taps it to the leg side for a couple. The ball keeps a bit low there.
1:37pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 1:37pm | Report comment
Hughes bowled, bowled!
At least he did not nick them to the slips for the second time this game. It was angling into the bat and he went for the cut, keeps a little low and it is timber!
Eranga gets one and Australia have lost 4/33 now.
1:28pm
Johnno said | 1:28pm | Report comment
Suneer Australia is in a better position than Sri Lanka .
1:38pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 1:38pm | Report comment
Yep, they have the runs on the board after all.
1:27pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 1:27pm | Report comment
That is three down and it is Matthew Wade who comes in at five! He will look to scatter a few balls.
1:24pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 1:24pm | Report comment
Lot of action in the Herath and almost cries of oohs and and aahs every ball.
This time an appeal for stumping against Watson. More interestingly it is off a defensive stroke.
Bowled from round the stumps and it went on with the arm, beats the outside edge of the bat and the keeper whips away the bails. Third umpire shows that Watson had dragged his foot out there and just millimetres away from getting back.
1:17pm
Roarsome said | 1:17pm | Report comment
Ok, perhaps I’m a little traditional though if a batsman doesn’t offer a shot, I believe the umpires should be able to give the benefit of the doubt to the bowler. Unfortunately, the review systems doesn’t allow this. This used to protect bowlers from standing at the stumps padding the spinners away. Such a shame batsmen aren’t ‘encouraged’ to play the ball with the bat when it’s near the stumps.
–
Comment left via The Roar’s iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
1:26pm
sittingbison said | 1:26pm | Report comment
perhaps if you don’t play a shot, you give up the right to a review?
1:37pm
langou said | 1:37pm | Report comment
If the ball is not hitting the stumps than it is irrelevant whether he played a shot. Always been the rule and should remain the rule as it is fundamental to the LBW law.
1:15pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 1:15pm | Report comment
Loud appeal for lbw and given!
Watson has called for the DRS now after shouldering arms to one that was bowled from round the stumps. It hits the pads and is given out lbw but the DRS shows that the ball was missing it by a mile!
That was a howler avoided!
1:13pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 1:13pm | Report comment
Back on after lunch and Herath will start the proceedings.
They will look to quickly add to 260
12:33pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 12:33pm | Report comment
So that is that then, ending the first session on a decent 2/146. Began rapidly today, did the two openers, got to their respective 50s before they got out playing strokes.
At lunch, Australia are 260 ahead which means that they could look to bat one more session and try and get as close as possible to a lead of 400 before declaring. Sri Lanka will look to dry up the runs as much as possible.
Back in 40 then!
12:28pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 12:28pm | Report comment
Hughes goes really back in his crease and cuts it through backward point. He is really high on confidence and does not want to play for the lunch break here it seems.
2/144 in 48
12:28pm
jameswm said | 12:28pm | Report comment
No chance of declaring before tea now I reckon. The double wicket has slowed things down. They’ll have to try to score 140 odd before tea so they’re 400 ahead with 4 sessions to play, then declare during the break.
12:26pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 12:26pm | Report comment
A couple of runs from the Welegedara over. Not easy to score runs for a new batsman as the lead goes on to 256.
2/142 in 47.
12:23pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 12:23pm | Report comment
Only a few minutes for the lunch break. Thankfully the rain has kept away today. So far.
12:22pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 12:22pm | Report comment
Herath bowls a maiden at Phil Hughes now. Sri Lanka will now look to tighten things up here with some maidens.
2/141 in 46
12:18pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 12:18pm | Report comment
Second wicket now for Sri Lanka as Cowan goes!
Not a great shot but they were looking at quick runs and this takes an inside edge through to the stumps and Australia are two down. Welegedara has one.
137-ball 56 for Cowan.
Shane Watson at four.
12:02pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 12:02pm | Report comment
Wider outside off and is gone caught!
Warner wanted to go back and cut it hard. But the ball goes straight on instead of turning it back into the batman and takes the outside edge through to the keeper.
Gone for 68 that came off 119 balls.
1/132 with a lead of 246
11:57am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:57am | Report comment
Warner’s now deciding to go after them…switch-hits Herath for a four, powerfully what was the cover fielder.
0/130 and the lead in 245
12:00pm
jameswm said | 12:00pm | Report comment
Tea declaration do you think? Could score another 160 by then, and 415 ahead.
Maybe Clarke would like to push it harder and be 400 ahead 40 mins before tea, so he can put them in for a shot before and after tea. However that would mean something like 160 in the next 30 overs, doable I guess, esp if Warner gets going.
12:01pm
jameswm said | 12:01pm | Report comment
There I go again…saying “if Warner gets going” was my mistake.
12:28pm
Red Kev said | 12:28pm | Report comment
If I was Clarke I would certainly be looking at 100 a session as a minimum lead (bearing in mind Sangakkara’s norm at the moment is to score very little in the first innings and a massive hundred in the second).
11:48am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:48am | Report comment
Herath smacked for a six now!
He was bowling from round the stumps to camp the batsman but Warner was having none of it. Goes down and smashes it over long-on for a six!
0/116
11:46am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:46am | Report comment
Warner gets to his second 50 of the game with a pull that almost carries over log-on. He has run really hard in this innings and will now look to convert.
0/109 in the 38th
11:36am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:36am | Report comment
Poor ball and pulled away to the fence!
Cross-seam bouncer from Kulaekara and Cowan has rocked back and pulled it away to the fence. That takes them to a century-run stand and there is a brief get-together in the middle of the pitch.
0/100 in 35
11:31am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:31am | Report comment
Decent first couple of overs after drinks. They continue to be circumspect against Kulasekara but Cowan wants to sweep Herath. Gets a single and a brace.
0/93 in 34.
11:21am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:21am | Report comment
Almost five runs, all-run!
This was cut away by Cowan and the edge takes it through the second slip region down to third-man. Samaraweera runs around from backward point and by that time they take three. But hi relay throw to Jayawardene goes wrong and the batsmen are able to come back for the fifth and Warner almost wants a fifth.
0/87 at drinks.
11:17am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:17am | Report comment
Five overs from Mathews and he is off now. Rangana Herath with some spin now.
0/82 in 31
11:11am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:11am | Report comment
Big appeal for something and they go for the DRS!
This is a repercussion from their miss yesterday. Cowan was defending on the front foot, more like pushing forward and the ball deviates past the bat to elicit an appeal for caught-behind. Umpire gives it not-out, as does the third-ump…no mark on the Hot-Spot and that is not-out.
Lanka have not had the best of times with their reviews this game.
11:08am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:08am | Report comment
Together Mathews and Kulasekara have bowled seven overs today and conceded eight runs. Passage of play that will make Sri Lanka slightly happier.
11:06am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:06am | Report comment
Stump to stump from Kulasekara and Cowan defends his fifth successive ball of the over.
0/80 in 29
11:02am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:02am | Report comment
And now Angelo Mathews bowls a maiden. Six off the last four overs after that bright start.
Kulasekara continues. 0/79 in 28
10:56am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:56am | Report comment
Kulasekara has managed to keep it on the line around off stump but not wide enough to allow a cut. The length is goodish and it is now up to the batsmen to try and eke out runs from him.
In the last three overs, the ball has tended to not bounce up too much. Can Sri Lanka get them to get an inside edge on to the stumps or something?
10:49am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:49am | Report comment
Again, signs of the track keeping very low and this is after Cowan is almost three yards down the crease when he playing forward and outside the crease. Keeper come up to prevent him from playing so far away from the crease.
0/74 in 25
10:45am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:45am | Report comment
Nuwan Kulasekara to begin bowling now. He replaces Eranga, who has given aplenty today.
10:45am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:45am | Report comment
Jut when it was looking hunky-dory for the Aussies, the pitch shows up it ugly side. Two successive balls keep really low but they are outside the off stump.
And then one on the stumps also goes down, which Cowan has to bend really low to defend. Is this pitch showing signs of becoming sub-continental in nature?
0/73 in 24
10:40am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:40am | Report comment
This is getting to be very easy yet again. It is outside the off and Warner pushes it to the off side and yet again, calls for two. Easily makes it.
The Sri Lankan bowlers want him to edge one to the slips and they are bowling it wider off him. Warner is not trying to hit them hard, instead he is pushing them and getting them away.
Interesting battle!
0/73
10:38am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:38am | Report comment
After Angelo Mathews concedes only a single in his first over the of the day, Eranga pitches it on off and angles it away from Warner. He taps it to the off-side yet again and immediately calls for a couple of runs.
0/69 in the 23rd
10:32am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:32am | Report comment
Fantastic play yet again. The off side is a huge swathe of area which is getting peppered regularly by the batsmen and this time Warner taps it to the off side for a couple of runs.
There is a sweeper manning that region but it is getting to be difficult for him.
0/66 in 21.
10:27am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:27am | Report comment
This is superb batting from the pair – this time it is Cowan. It was only marginally short and wide and Cowan, like Warner is more interested in placement than hard-hitting. It is guides through backward point for a four!
And then off another in the same over, Welegedara drifts on to his pads and easily tucked away to deep square-leg for successive boundaries!
This has been one of the most aggressive start I have seen to a day without looking so aggressive by their choice of strokes.
10:24am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:24am | Report comment
Glanced away for four leg-byes!
Eranga’s not getting his line right here. This time he drifts on to his pads and is glanced away to the fence, off the pads.
0/51 in 19
24 have come in the five overs today.
10:21am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:21am | Report comment
Frenetic running between the wickets here. Square-driven by Warner, who is not trying to hit hard, and it was not too far away from the sweeper. Still managed to get a couple of runs.
0/47 in the 19th
10:19am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:19am | Report comment
And now Cowan cuts Welegedara away to the fence for a four. There is a sweeper in place but all he can do is to escort it to the fence.
Already three fours have been hit in four overs.
0/43 in 18
10:14am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:14am | Report comment
A couple of singles to end the over from Eranga.
It is 0/37 in 17, the run-rate at 2.25 for now. They will need to up this to three and possibly 3.5 very soon if they want to get to the target they have in mind pretty quickly.
10:11am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:11am | Report comment
Warner gets another four!
Second successive four for Warner after one last ball last over. It was pitched right up to the bat but was wider and Warner guides it into the gap through the point region for another four!
0/35
10:09am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:09am | Report comment
Chanaka Welegedara from the other end bowls a testing maiden at Ed Cowan. Bit of an appeal last ball for lbw but he seemed to be well outside the off stump.
0/31 in 16
10:05am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:05am | Report comment
Warner defends away cautiously at the first five balls of the over before carving one through the covers off the last. It is timed and more importantly placed well in the gap to get four runs for the batsman!
0/31 in 15
10:01am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:01am | Report comment
Bright and sunny conditions to start play and the two Australian openers are pitch-side. Dave Warner will take strike to Shaminda Eranga.
9:57am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 9:57am | Report comment
Good morning and welcome to the fourth day’s play at Hobart where Australia will look to build on their advantage over Sri Lanka in the first of three Tests.