Australia vs Sri Lanka First Test: cricket live scores, updates (Day 5)
Roar Guru By Suneer Chowdhary, 18 Dec 2012 Suneer Chowdhary is a Roar Guru
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- Angelo Mathews, Australia v Sri Lanka, Cricket, hobart test, Kumar Sangakkara, live blog, Michael Clarke, Peter Siddle
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Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne (R) attempts to catch Australia's batsman Matthew Wade (L) on the second day of the first cricket Test match in Hobart on December 15, 2012. (AFP Photo/William West)
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 |
Australia need eight wickets to beat Sri Lanka while the visitors require 328 runs to go one up on the final day of the Hobart Test match.
We’ll bring you the live scores of the action throughout this game, with the final day of the first Test starting at 10.00 am local.
The situation is not too dissimilar from the recent Adelaide Test match. Then, like now, Australia needed bowl South Africa out on the final day but were handicapped by the absence of one of their main quick bowlers due to an injury.
If it was James Pattinson who had left Peter Siddle to shoulder majority of the attack, then this time it was the turn of Ben Hilfenhaus to fall by the wayside. Siddle will be required to take up this responsibility yet again.
What will be different this time is that Michael Clarke will have a third seamer in Shane Watson available to him. Watson, as was on display on the fourth day, did a sterling job on what was described as a treacherous pitch by the TV commentators, and bowled nine testing overs for 10 overs. And he picked up a wicket as well.
What will also be dissimilar from Adelaide is the pitch. Then, the track was still very flat going into the fifth day. Here, the Hobart Test wicket has shown enough signs to indicate life for the batsmen will start tough and become progressively more difficult.
There is another couple of factors to consider going into this last day. Michael Clarke injured his hamstring while batting on the fourth day and had to retire hurt. Captaining the side – even from the slips – will be physically tough on him and may ensure his withdrawal from the Boxing Day Test match but he will be out in the middle doing the job.
How he manages both the pain and his captaincy if the going gets tough could be decisive.
And then there is the weather. While no rain is forecast in Hobart at this stage, Australia will have one eye on it and would like to wrap it up very quickly.
Not that the Sri Lankan team will be any pushovers. As seen in the final session of play Monday, the batsmen were ready to grind it out in the middle, as they batted 37 overs for 65 runs.
It is a strategy that could be on display even on the fifth day and while it is fraught with its own risks, it could just be their best chance to survive the day.
The other option, of being positive from the very start of the day’s play may come undone if they lose one of the two unbeaten batsmen overnight. At least one of the two experienced stalwarts of Sri Lankan cricket, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, will need to bat through most part of the day if they need to salvage something out of this game.
We will bring you the live coverage throughout the game from Hobart and hope to receive your opinions as the action unfolds.
The Crowd Says (223) | Page 1 of Comments
The Roar Live Blog: Latest comments displayed at the top of the page | Click here to jump to leave a comment
6:55am
V44 said | 6:55am | Report comment
In all the hype around win against SL couple of observations
Lyon, again, not up to bowling Australia to victory. Herath takes 5 for in Aust 2nd innings, class tells. Maybe he needs better guidance than he is getting.( but if you have an ex wicket keeper as spin bowling coach, who do you turn to?)
Watson bowled one tellling spell in mid / high 130′s but other wise pace well down ( maybe get him angry and having a few verbals the secret).
Fielding, overall it is a worry when some kid from club cricket is the shining light. Watson again looked like he is protecting injury and moves in the field like a Clydesdale. Wades’ keeping, especially to spinners, poor, again, who is working with him. Is Paine / Haddin a better option? Cannot afford to miss simple stumpings. You can forgive once but not once every innings. Does he watch the ball?
Starc 90% of his stuff crap but last session spell did the job.
Siddle, inspiring
Overall, a win is a win but CA and High Performance group still have a lot of work to do to make sure we finish each game eleven on eleven otherwise Siddle, in particular, and others WILL not last. Remember Siddle himself has been part of casualty ward. Could you say with any confidence this is the team to beat England, it couldn’t beat SA and SL are a looooong way down in the test rankings…..so lets not get too excited.
10:16pm
Jason Cave said | 10:16pm | Report comment
I thought this Test series between Australia & Sri Lanka would be one-sided but I’ve been proven wrong.
While the scorebook would show an Australian win in the end, however they had to work very hard for it against a Sri Lankan team which showed what they lacked in class they made up for it with guts and determination.
However, this Test would also serve as a warning signal to the NSP about just how fragile the Australian bowling attack is at the moment, and would be best advised to fix the problem between now and the upcoming England tour.
Otherwise the England batsmen such as Cook, Pietersen, Bell and Trott would be licking their lips at the prospect of scoring hundreds of runs against a weakend Australian attack.
8:03pm
jamesb said | 8:03pm | Report comment
Very happy that jackson Bird is in the side. He is rewarded for good performances in the Shield
Remember Bird is the word
10:10pm
Rhys said | 10:10pm | Report comment
I’ll have my copy cranked up on the turntable come Boxing Day.
7:05pm
Brett McKay said | 7:05pm | Report comment
Clarke says he’s confident he’ll be right for Boxing Day, but Usman Khawaja is in squad on standby. Jackson Bird coming in for The Hilf..
7:10pm
Brett McKay said | 7:10pm | Report comment
So:
Clarke (c), Watson (vc), Bird, Cowan, Hughes, M Hussey, Johnson, Khawaja, Lyon, Siddle, Starc, Wade, Warner..
7:19pm
eagleJack said | 7:19pm | Report comment
I like. Bird a great addition. And proof Usman is very very close
7:37pm
boes said | 7:37pm | Report comment
I would hope you would like Bird eagle….hopefully he gets a run and isn’t the drinks waiter.
7:24pm
Rhys said | 7:24pm | Report comment
I like that squad. Big thumbs up to the NSP on that one.
I heard that Bird is the word.
7:36pm
Red Kev said | 7:36pm | Report comment
Good stuff, nothing to complain about … what will we post on The Roar then?
8:34pm
Rob from Brumby Country said | 8:34pm | Report comment
The usual?
‘Raaargh! Ben Cutting! Raaargh! Move Hussey up the order! Raaargh! Move Watson down the order! Raaargh! We need an Australian coach! Raaargh! Sack Alex Contouris!! Raaaaarghhhhhhh!!!!!!!’
8:55pm
Red Kev said | 8:55pm | Report comment
I was going to go with Wade’s missed stumping and Warne’s “comeback”.
6:23pm
jamesb said | 6:23pm | Report comment
Congrats Australia
relieved to have finally won a test match.
Siddle deserves the man of the match. He is the new Merv Hughes, all heart.
Most of this test match I had Starc out of Boxing day. Now that he has got a late Michelle, I just think he has done enough……just. If he plays next test, he needs to show more aggression, and bowl as a left armer, not a right arm bowler.
I hope Clarke is fit for the next test. If Watson is captain, and if Johnson comes in, there could some interesting times at the Gee.
Also could someone tell Lyon to fricken slow down. Why is he bowling at 88 kays on average, where he should be bowling around 81 or 82.
Hussey continues to keep on, while Warner is slowly establishing himself as a opener. Hard fought win, but we need a bowler to take wickets to get the pressure off Siddle
Selectors, pick Bird or Cutting, noooooooooooooooo Johnson!
6:38pm
Rhys said | 6:38pm | Report comment
I agree about Siddle. Doesn’t have every trick in the book like some other bowlers, but more than makes up for it with sheer guts and determination.
Starc is doing what a young fast bowler does, learning his craft. I think he’s Australia’s #1 left arm pace option for a long time to come if he keeps improving at the rate he is. At 31, Johnson is more likely to be a backup to Starc, and a handy one at that.
If Clarke is out I’d really like to see Khawaja given another shot. Agree re. Bird or Cutting in place of Hilfy.
A good result for the Aussies, hard fought which can only be a good thing for a young team in development.
7:04pm
jamesb said | 7:04pm | Report comment
The strange thing with Starc is he has picked up 14 wickets in his last two tests, yet he has bowled alot of rubbish to go with it.
If Starc becomes a bit more consistent, he could be anything.
But we keep forgetting he is only 22.
8:04pm
Jutsie said | 8:04pm | Report comment
he looked pretty damn good today, if he could bowl with than speed, movement, accuracy throughout a test then he could be the strike bowler the aussies have been looking for since johnson went off the deep end.
How long till siddle breaks, poor bloke has had to carry an undermanned and inexperienced pace attack in his last two outings.
6:14pm
Jutsie said | 6:14pm | Report comment
lol starc bowled like garbage for most of the match but saved his best bowling spell for the last session and denies siddle a ten for in the process. Perfect tail end bowling by starc
6:42pm
sittingbison said | 6:42pm | Report comment
you called it Jutsie, bending his back bowling 145kmh yorkers to the tail late on day 5, but pies for the rest of the game. What gives?
8:27pm
Rob from Brumby Country said | 8:27pm | Report comment
Always save an ace, SB
But on a more serious note, Starc really was unimpressive for the best part of four and a half days. He’s gotta do more than that!
10:16pm
lolly said | 10:16pm | Report comment
It’s inexperience and nerves. It was notable at the WACA that he bowled far better at the tail than he did at any other time, he did the same today. Eventually experience will translate into confidence and he will be able to bring his best stuff to the best batsmen. Well, that’s what I hope anyway..
And anyway, our bowlers have so much trouble running through the tail, I’m not complaining if at least one of them can do that.
They need to stick with him. We know what Johnson can do and how he doesn’t do it very often. Another option is essential.
6:13pm
Harry said | 6:13pm | Report comment
Well done Starc to take the last 5 wickets. Always thought he is a world class fast bowler in the making. Still along way to go but gee he looks the part. Will surely gain enourmous confidence from doing the job today.
Siddle deservedly man-of-the-match.
Another excellent test. Who needs 20/20 hit and giggle
6:10pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:10pm | Report comment
Peter Siddle has been declared the man of the match for his nine-wicket haul. Misses a 10-for, his first ever and the first at Hobart, but he will take the nine wickets and vitally the Australian win.
Sri Lanka fought hard through adversity in both innings on a difficult pitch but fall just short. It must be said that the four wickets they lost on the second day pushed them really back and while Dilshan and Mathews did their bit, it wasn’t enough in the end.
Australia will bring in a newer side for the next game with injuries to Clarke and Hilfenhaus, which should make things interesting, but will be happy to see Mitchell Starc regain some of his form.
That’s it from me, will be back for the second Test match from December 26. Wish you a merry Christmas then!
6:14pm
jameswm said | 6:14pm | Report comment
I’m not convinced yet Clarke won’t be playing, but it sounds like they’ve earmarked Ussie. How do you feel Rob Quiney?
6:15pm
Matt said | 6:15pm | Report comment
Like he should average more than 3
6:41pm
sittingbison said | 6:41pm | Report comment
a polished 99 would have helped…or maybe not
9:58pm
Matt said | 9:58pm | Report comment
Why bother with 99 when you could bat the best 9 ever seen?
6:15pm
Matt said | 6:15pm | Report comment
Wow close, should have had that in the bag but was looking like a draw!
6:05pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:05pm | Report comment
And that is the end of that, Starc’s got his fifth and Lanka are bowled out!
It was short of length from round the stumps and angling in, straightened for the batsman who was taking his hands away but gets some part of his bat and easily taken by the keeper.
Australia are 1-0 up in the three-match series. A very well-fought game this one.
6:04pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:04pm | Report comment
Probably he wasn’t warmed up so far or a case of exhausion but it was a bit of an underwhelming over from Siddle given the context. Not given it his all I thought.
11 overs to go.
6:00pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 6:00pm | Report comment
Peter Siddle comes back now, replacing Watson. Looking for a 10-for.
5:59pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:59pm | Report comment
Of all the wickets that have fallen today, only Angelo Mathews could be criticised for his stroke. And even he was softened up by some blows including one that hit flush on his elbow.
In short, must be said that the visitors have fought rather well here. But they might fall just short here…12 overs is a long time.
5:56pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:56pm | Report comment
And Herath is bowled now!
Ball after ball Herath was struggling against the yorker and Starc had been unlucky not to get it through. For once it goes through and hits his pads and then rolls over to the stumps.
In fact looking at the replays, it seems like he dug it out with his bat, inside-edged to the pads and rolls over to the stumps.
Nine down with 12.3 to go.
5:52pm
langou said | 5:52pm | Report comment
I think we can now agree that it was a wonderful declaration by clarke
5:54pm
Chris said | 5:54pm | Report comment
I’ll put my hand up as saying it was premature. Good call by Clarke.
5:50pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:50pm | Report comment
Whoa, another yorker length ball that misses the stumps, neither hits his pads, nor his bat and misses the stumps as well.
14 to be bowled and Watson replaces Lyon.
5:46pm
Chris said | 5:46pm | Report comment
I hope for Welegedara’s sake that there is a defribulator at Bellerive. He must be near 200 BPM at the moment.
5:51pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:51pm | Report comment
Or he would be absolutely cool about it, knowing that even if he gets out, not much blame can be attached to him.
5:43pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:43pm | Report comment
Right, so another over from Lyon passes by and that will be drinks. It will also mean that when play resumes, the umpire will point to his watch, signifying the start of the last hour.
Sri Lanka have two wickets to survive 15 overs.
5:46pm
boes said | 5:46pm | Report comment
15 overs could be tough. 15 hours next to.impossible.
time for siddle.
5:50pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:50pm | Report comment
Haha, my bad, changed it around now.
5:51pm
Pope Paul VII said | 5:51pm | Report comment
cripes 15 hours! Someone send for Hanif Mohommad.
5:52pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:52pm | Report comment
Not even Hanif, not on this pitch!
5:39pm
Neuen said | 5:39pm | Report comment
Kuleshaker to have some T20 fun?
5:41pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:41pm | Report comment
Kula’s gone. Herath and Shaminda at the crease.
5:39pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:39pm | Report comment
Five next to the keeper. Three slips, a fifth slip and a gully.
5:37pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:37pm | Report comment
Edged and gone!
Starc’s coming to the party here as he gets one to zip away from the batsman. It is almost a perfect delivery that has Kula playing at it, and more importantly getting an edge on it. Caught by keeper and they are eight down now.
Can Sri Lanka hang out a little bit longer?
5:38pm
Red Kev said | 5:38pm | Report comment
Time to bring back Siddle for his first 10-for
5:36pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:36pm | Report comment
Two deliveries, very full without being full-tosses and Herath has just about managed to keep it out. His foot as well.
5:34pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:34pm | Report comment
A yorker that nearly sneaks through Herath. Dug out well in the end. He has stopped going after the short ball for now.
But he bowls one outside the off and Herath gets sucked into driving at it, the edge goes on a couple of bounces to the keeper.
5:32pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:32pm | Report comment
Poor bowling from Lyon here. Bowling quickly, not giving himself too much time between deliveries, an antithesis of how a Shane Warne would bowl here. Pause, think, slow his run-up down if possible and bowl a tad slower as well.
7/245 with 17 overs to be bowled
5:35pm
Red Kev said | 5:35pm | Report comment
What I don’t get is that the radio and tv commentators have been on and on and on about that point – slow down Lyon. Why is no-one telling him that in training? Why is a runner not telling him during the match?
5:40pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:40pm | Report comment
I agree with the training bit…not so easy to change from your normal style during a game. Lyon probably needs to work on that aspect a lot during off-season.
6:37pm
sittingbison said | 6:37pm | Report comment
what the hell is MickeyA and whoever is the bowling coach doing? When every person watching telly or listening to grandstand knows?
5:31pm
Matt said | 5:31pm | Report comment
Why is Lyon bowling, an hour left in the whole match and he still doesn’t have a wicket. Makes no sense
5:30pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:30pm | Report comment
Change in angle for Lyon. Round the stumps for Kulasekara.
5:29pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:29pm | Report comment
Full-toss from Starc, attempted yorker probably and Herath is beaten by the swing. Misses the inside edge and goes between the pads and the stumps! Action-a-ball this.
7/241 in 112, 18 still to be bowled.
5:26pm
Jason said | 5:26pm | Report comment
Do the Sri Lankan tail have some money on Aust here? They don’t really look like they are interested in saving this.
5:28pm
Jutsie said | 5:28pm | Report comment
u would think so the way herath is batting
5:25pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:25pm | Report comment
This is interesting…they are patting deliveries back to Lyon but want to play shots against Starc. It could all be down to the pair being a tad nervous playing good pace on this up-and-down surface. Nervous of being hit.
5:23pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:23pm | Report comment
I am not understanding too much of what the Sri Lankan numbers nine and ten are doing here. They are playing shots to almost every delivery and making themselves a stationary target for sharpshooters.
20 overs to be bowled.
5:21pm
Brett McKay said | 5:21pm | Report comment
Kev, hope you see this mate..
(from Twitter just now)
@FOXSportsNews: @Uz_Khawaja pulled from @ThunderBBL’s upcoming match and expected to replace Michael Clarke for Boxing Day Test
5:24pm
The Bush said | 5:24pm | Report comment
Cowan, Warner, Hughes, Khawaja, Hussey and Watson would be my preferred order… Despite this I doubt Watson will move further down the order…
5:26pm
Brian said | 5:26pm | Report comment
That would be my order too but I expect it will be instead a straight swap with Khawaja batting No 5.
5:30pm
Red Kev said | 5:30pm | Report comment
6 lefties in the top 7 … wtf
5:35pm
jameswm said | 5:35pm | Report comment
and mine…and ditto. I think there’s someone’s ego stopping watto batting at 5/6.
6:35pm
sittingbison said | 6:35pm | Report comment
yup. And Watto is now captain, so he can bat himself any position he likes. I expect him to open.
5:19pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:19pm | Report comment
Edged and I think that is dropped!
Round the stumps from Starc and Kula, for some unknown reason, flashes at it! Gets an edge and it goes low to the third-slip, where Watson does not get down in time and spills it.
Why would Kulasekara play such a stroke to one that is so wide that it can easily be left alone, is beyond me.
5:19pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:19pm | Report comment
Now that is a stroke you wouldn’t want to see as a captain. Short of length, rears up on the batsman and Herath goes for a pull. He is nowhere close to the ball!
But the second ball, Starc tests him again and this time he swivels around to push it to the leg-side…a single. Lankan fans’ heart-rate would have risen manifold there!
5:16pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:16pm | Report comment
Five fielders around the bat for Lyon. Kula defends with his front foot out by a distance and the leading edge falls perilously close to silly point
5:15pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:15pm | Report comment
Two good balls to end Starc’s first over this spell.
22 to go now. Becoming very difficult for Sri Lanka here. Australia seem to have tasted blood here.
5:14pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:14pm | Report comment
Three slips, gully, pad-pad, leg gully, silly point. And some others scattered in close.
5:11pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:11pm | Report comment
And Starc picks up a wicket as soon as he is called on!
Jayawardene was doing a decent job but this rears up from length, round the stumps, angling in and spits up on him. It hits the glove and flies to one of the four slips in position. Simple catch and PJ goes.
Three to get for Australia. 22.2 to bat for Lanka.
5:08pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:08pm | Report comment
A couple of runs in that Lyon over and as expected, Starc comes on now. He has to keep Siddle and Watson for the one last burst if necessary in the last 40 minutes or so.
5:07pm
Chris said | 5:07pm | Report comment
Each batsman needs to soak up 35 balls for his wicket. I’d love to see Harath’s heartrate at the moment.
5:06pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:06pm | Report comment
Nathan Lyon comes on now. Won’t be long before Mitchell Starc is also brought on now.
5:05pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:05pm | Report comment
Every ball is a cookie hard to be cracked. 24 overs to go. Four wickets.
From here on, Australia need a wicket every six overs but unlike at Adelaide, this is a pitch where three can fall in the space of a couple of overs – especially given that they will be the lower-order men.
I remember the Sydney Test against India in 2007-08 where Clarke managed to spin the Indians out in the last 15 minutes.
5:01pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:01pm | Report comment
Wow, that’s done so much that an off-spinner would be happy to take so much turn. Hits Kula flush on his chest from outside the off stump…that is impossible to play and the batsmen just have to hope and pray that it does not hit them in front or on their gloves or on the stumps.
Or on their body.
4:53pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:53pm | Report comment
Jayawardene manages to push it to the off side for a single off the last ball of the over to steal the strike for the next over. 26 more overs remaining in the day.
6/226
5:00pm
jameswm said | 5:00pm | Report comment
Still 26 to go? I waas thinking 10.
OK, 156 balls, we need a wicket every 40 or so balls. Sids is going to be tired again.
No wicket in the next 10 and we’re gone.
5:02pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 5:02pm | Report comment
Given the pitch and given that it is the tail, it won’t be improbable that they get those in even 10 overs.
5:33pm
jameswm said | 5:33pm | Report comment
Wish I had your confidence.
Listening to Russell Arnold on Inside Cricket last night, the Sri Lankans still suffer from an inferiority complex. Don’t know why. I think that’s holding them back big time, esp in test cricket.
4:50pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:50pm | Report comment
Siddle, on nine wickets in the game, looks to charge in to eke out his tenth. His 24th over this innings. Watson has bowled 25.
4:47pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:47pm | Report comment
Kulasekara manages to survive another over. 27 remain from here on.
4:47pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:47pm | Report comment
NUwan Kulasekara is at eight. And he tries to let one go through and still hits hit bat that’s hanging out. Goes to the keeper on bounce.
Off the next one, the batsman’s beaten, hits the pads but drifting down the leg-side.
4:43pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:43pm | Report comment
So it is six down now and the track isn’t getting any better. Given how the top-order played the last one hour on it, the lower-order will be getting uneasy. For their wickets and for physical damage.
4:40pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:40pm | Report comment
And that is the number six down!
Samaraweera, for some reason, was looking restless and gets it to nip back into the pads. The batsman was playing off the back foot and that helps the umpire to give it out without too much thought. The DRS is used by Samaraweera after being convinced by the non-striker but no help there – out is the verdict.
4:38pm
jameswm said | 4:38pm | Report comment
Samaraweera soon and we’re still some chance
4:36pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:36pm | Report comment
Almost a wicket!
Disconcerting bounce for Watson from length and Samaraweera pulls his bottom hand off. Still it takes the shoulder and pops up to the right of silly point, just misses the close-in fielder!
5/217 with 29 overs to go.
4:33pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:33pm | Report comment
With the field up, every time it is hit in the gap, it is going to the fence. Samaraweera pulls a short one from Watson and gets to 49. 130 balls for it.
4:35pm
Pope Paul VII said | 4:35pm | Report comment
BB by a keeper in tests is 4/19 Alfred Lyttelton. Bowling underarm lobs.
4:31pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:31pm | Report comment
The pitch is up to tricks and they are no good for the batsmen. Siddle’s virtually getting them to go both ways and every ball looks like it is a hand grenade thrown at the batsman.
One of them jags back and hard and hits the batsman flush and high. Glen McGrath on Channel Nine: “Even Don Bradman wouldn’t have been able to play that one.”
4:27pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:27pm | Report comment
Lot of work being done on the ball here. Every time it goes to a fielder, at least two of them get down to rubbing it on their trousers.
5/209 in 99. 31 to go.
4:25pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:25pm | Report comment
The new ball was taken 16 overs ago and it looks like it is already reversing! And wow, it is doing it prodigiously!
Samaraweera has to take off his bottom hand rather quickly as one bounces on him. With a silly point in position he does a good job of defending that one.
4:23pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:23pm | Report comment
A testing four balls to the new man Jayawardene before he lets loose a cut that gets him a four. Siddle shouldn’t mind him playing some some shots, especially off the angled bat.
5/205 in 98
4:19pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:19pm | Report comment
Sri Lanka have now lost five and still have 32.5 overs to bat. Prasanna Jayawardene comes in at seven.
4:19pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:19pm | Report comment
Here is how Matthew Wade went when he bowled:
4:18pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:18pm | Report comment
Yep, the feeling was always there that Mathews was struggling there and it was only a matter of time before he nicked one. Peter Siddle gets it to move away from the bat and the batsman goes fishing at it. Edged and taken by the keeper!
4:17pm
Matt said | 4:17pm | Report comment
Finally!!! Need another wicket or two though to feel like they’re in it
4:16pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:16pm | Report comment
All nine fielders, apart from the keeper and the bowler, are within the circle (had it been there!)
First slip, fourth slip, short cover, cover, mid-off, mid-on, bad-pad, a very short mid-on, square-leg.
4:12pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:12pm | Report comment
And another one that has Mathews hopping. It was short of length outside the off and the batsman thought it would bounce disconcertingly. Instead it keeps low.
4/194
4:10pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:10pm | Report comment
Edged for four through the cordon!
Mathews is not comfortable in the middle ever since he was hit on his elbow and now he edges one through the slips. Siddle might want to try out a few short-pitchers here…
4:08pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:08pm | Report comment
Siddle from the other end replacing Wade. They need a wicket in the first 15-20 minutes this session to keep them in the game.
4:06pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:06pm | Report comment
Watson’s bowling medium pace and suddenly one bobs up and Thilan has to almost fend it off. Had he missed it, could have made the keeper’s task difficult as well.
4:03pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:03pm | Report comment
Six wickets in one session is going to be tough going for Australia but it is that kind of a pitch where the lower-order may not have an easy time. Watson comes on after tea.
3:44pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:44pm | Report comment
Wade’s bowling at an average of 129-130 km/hr but after the first couple of balls that kept very low, the batsmen have been able to defend him out easily. Then off the final ball of the over, it bounces disconcertingly and almost hits Samaraweera’s gloves.
Tea time with Sri Lanka on 4/186 and with 36 overs to go.
3:48pm
Rhys said | 3:48pm | Report comment
In 135 years of Test cricket it must have happened before, but when was the last time a wicket keeper bowled, and at a decent pace too!
3:59pm
Jason said | 3:59pm | Report comment
Rod MArsh bowled a few overs.
3:59pm
Atawhai Drive said | 3:59pm | Report comment
Rod Marsh in 1983-84.
4:09pm
formeropenside said | 4:09pm | Report comment
billed as “Right Arm Unorthodox” as I recall. Which is technically not incorrect. I wonder if Irving Rosenwater had a hand in that – or Wendy Wimbush.
4:04pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 4:04pm | Report comment
MS Dhoni bowled on the first day of the first Test match against England at Lord’s last year.
5:37pm
Neuen said | 5:37pm | Report comment
Mark Boucher took a wicket couple of years ago vs the Windies
3:55pm
Red Kev said | 3:55pm | Report comment
So what you’re saying is that Wade bowls faster than Watson?
4:03pm
Brian said | 4:03pm | Report comment
IWas that Wade’s first over at first class level?
4:06pm
Rhys said | 4:06pm | Report comment
Now what would be really something is if Wade bowled AND kept wicket at the same time!
Sorry, bit of a 12th man moment there.
3:41pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:41pm | Report comment
Wow now these are signs of absolute desperation or genius!
Matthew Wade has given up his gloves and pads and will bowl. Phil Hughes takes over the keeping duties!
3:44pm
jameswm said | 3:44pm | Report comment
Geez drawing a long bow there. Are they serious? We need Timmy Zoehrer’s leggies.
4:01pm
Atawhai Drive said | 4:01pm | Report comment
Desperate for a wicket or resigned to a draw? I think we should be told.
3:40pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:40pm | Report comment
Another over ticks by, only a bye off it from Lyon. There is a shout or two every over but none have been close.
3:38pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:38pm | Report comment
Mathews survives that over with a couple of twos to finish it off. 38 overs remaining and the home team needs to pick up six more wickets.
3:36pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:36pm | Report comment
And the first ball after the break, Mathews gets another one short and goes for the pull. Tries to hit it hard and misses. Exciting stuff here.
3:32pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:32pm | Report comment
Mathews continues to get treated here on the field. Will he bat on or will he retire hurt now? It looked like he had to cop quite a painful one there. Still shadow-practicing to see if it hurts him.
Getting it plastered now. The delay is 5-6 minutes long already.
3:30pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:30pm | Report comment
And after Lyon bowls a maiden, Starc hits Mathews hard on his front arm…that has hit him hard enough for the physio to be called in.
It was a short one from round the stumps and he tried ducking under it, but it just does not rise. Hits him on his elbow.
3:25pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:25pm | Report comment
An excellent over from Starc there. There was one that bounced from length and another that kept very low from that very length. Then he digs one short and gets it to bounce over the batsman and another bouncer just does not rise too much.
4/180 in 90
3:30pm
Rabbitz said | 3:30pm | Report comment
Actually I disagree.
An excellent over would include at least one wicket.
3:19pm
jameswm said | 3:19pm | Report comment
Just saw the score, we’re not going to win this.
3:22pm
Ian Whitchurch said | 3:22pm | Report comment
Cricket’s a funny game. Keep the ball on or about off stump and let the pitch do the work.
I’d have a more attacking field though.
3:14pm
Neuen said | 3:14pm | Report comment
A spinner bowling with a new ball to a sub continent team. Am I missing something here?
3:14pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:14pm | Report comment
Now there is a third fielder brought in close, at leg slip. So he joins a leg gully and a short-leg to go with the two slips.
3:13pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:13pm | Report comment
It is a very quickly bowled over from Lyon, which is probably the purpose of his introduction – to get through the overs.
A couple of them kept very low and the batsman was defending on the back-foot, which was not such a good way to go about it. This had been brought about by a ball that was quick and looped up off his pad and bat, but away from silly point.
3:10pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:10pm | Report comment
Nathan Lyon will now bowl, with a very new ball.
3:09pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:09pm | Report comment
An attacking move now from Clarke. A short-leg in place along with a leg gully for the last ball of the over. Think this will continue when Starc bowls his next one.
4/174 in 86.
This has been a sterling effort from Sri Lanka so far.
3:07pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:07pm | Report comment
Finally an edge off the Samaraweera bat and it runs down to third-man for a four. Incidentally, two overs have been lost today because of the rain, which there will be 44 after this Starc over.
3:04pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:04pm | Report comment
Mitchell Starc will now replace Siddle. This is the third over with the new ball.
3:02pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 3:02pm | Report comment
Play will now resume. There are 48.4 overs still remaining today.
2:52pm
Jason said | 2:52pm | Report comment
Looks like rain is going to save Australia
2:46pm
Chris said | 2:46pm | Report comment
Away from the on-field action for a moment.
Surely after the crowd in this game Cricket Australia need to look at sharing around the venue for the “6th Test”.
Bellerive doesn’t deserve to get it 100% of the time anymore. Manuka Oval has already sold more Tickets to it’s ODI than the total attendance of this Test Match. From now on there is a good case for Manuka and Bellerive to alternate the 6th Test hosting rights.
2:51pm
Jason said | 2:51pm | Report comment
What about Perth. Their crowds are pathetic for a much larger city than Hobart.
2:54pm
Chris said | 2:54pm | Report comment
The bills get paid by the number of people there, not by the number of people there per capita.
Plus, Perth’s time zone makes it extremely valuable (both for beaming it into NSW/VIC/QLD during prime time and for the subcontinent).
2:55pm
Brian said | 2:55pm | Report comment
Agreed a test match every 4 years in Hobart and Canberra would get more support. Moreover you may just get other cities bidding as well – Newcastle, Gold Coast, Geelong, Launceston could all potentially merit a game.
Having said that CA hasn’t helped by charging more to get in than they do for a BBL game
2:39pm
Jason said | 2:39pm | Report comment
Wow, Clarke doesn’t trust Starc with the new ball at the crunch time of the match.
Doesn’t bode well for Starc’s immediate Test career.
2:39pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:39pm | Report comment
So after Siddle concedes only a single, it is Watson to share the new ball. But for now they are walking back to the pavillion as it starts drizzling again. 48 overs still remain.
2:34pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:34pm | Report comment
With nothing majorly happening with the old ball, it is new ball time. Siddle will look to hit ‘em hard.
2:25pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:25pm | Report comment
Siddle bowls another maiden and now Watson has an interesting field here. There is a silly mid-off in place, very, very close to the bat for a quick bowler. And there is a forward short-leg in place as well.
And then there are two slips.
2:18pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:18pm | Report comment
Siddle continues to Mathews:
1st ball: on the off stump and deviates away, keeps low and beats the outside edge. Goes on a couple of bounces to the keeper
2nd ball: keeps low again and Mathews comes out on the front foot and defends it back. Better shot that
3rd ball: length ball outside the off and rapid too, lets it go through to the keeper
4th ball: very wide outside the off and shoulders arms
5th ball: much closer to the off stump and bit of jag-back, defended on the front foot
6th ball: on the off stump and swinging away from the batsman, but very full and tapped away to the leg-side
Another maiden, a reasonably testing one but Mathews was looking to go on to the front foot after that first delivery.
2:11pm
Chris said | 2:11pm | Report comment
Can someone explain the exact rule regarding the end of play?
Cricinfo always gives a “minimum overs remaining” figure. How do you work out maximum overs? Can the bowling team bowl as many overs as they want within the hours of play?
2:23pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:23pm | Report comment
On a normal day 90 overs need to be bowled. So that is the minimum number of overs than need to be bowled any day, and the countdown is after every over is bowled. Teams have six hours to bowl them with an allowance of half hour extra in case of breaks etc.
If for some reason, a team bowls their 90 overs in, say for example 5 hours 45 minutes, the team will have to continue bowling for the last 15 minutes to complete the six hours. So they may end up bowling 92-93 in a day.
The issue in this Test is with the rain on the previous days causing lesser overs to be bowled then, which means that overs needed to be compensated on other days. So it is more than 90 overs today – I think it is 96 to be bowled today.
I think, and I may be corrected on this, on the last day, 90 overs have to be bowled irrespective of the time taken, until the light is good.
2:26pm
Red Kev said | 2:26pm | Report comment
Isn’t there also a requirement for at least 15 overs to be bowled in the final hour of the final day regardless of the situation?
2:30pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:30pm | Report comment
Yep, so when there are 15 overs remaining, the umpire makes a signal which says that the final hour has begun. The team has to bowl 15 overs after that, irrespective of the time they take to bowl them, but if they bowl 15 in 48 minutes, they will have to continue bowling in those last 12 minutes to finish the day.
2:10pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:10pm | Report comment
Watson comes in and dishes out some rubbish outside the off and is cut away to the cover boundary for a four!
2:09pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:09pm | Report comment
Now this is the kind of an over which would worry most batting teams. He is getting them to reverse and very late, at some good pace.
Mathews is the new man alright but is getting beaten regularly. Loud shout for an lbw too, not given.
4/155 in 78
2:05pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:05pm | Report comment
Siddle continues and immediately beats the outside edge of Mathews’ bat.
2:03pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 2:03pm | Report comment
Whoa, lot of turn there for Lyon. Samaraweera was shouldering arms and it misses the off by very little, much to the dismay of the Aussies around the bat. And there is a silly point, short-leg and slip along with the keeper.
1:54pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 1:54pm | Report comment
The drizzle’s stopped now and the covers are coming off. We should be back soon and I don’t think the overs will be shortened either.
1:39pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 1:39pm | Report comment
After the rain stops, it will be Angelo Mathews at the crease, joining Samaraweera.
Mathews used up 186 balls for his 75 in the first innings. If he can repeat those exploits, the Sri Lankan dressing room will be a lot happier.
1:36pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 1:36pm | Report comment
And now it has begun to rain. Almost on cue with Sanga’s dismissal.
1:36pm
jameswm said | 1:36pm | Report comment
We’d need another 2 wickets before tea too.
1:32pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 1:32pm | Report comment
Another appeal for lbw and another one upheld by the on-field! DRS used yet again!
This is the most plumb of them all. Pitches middle. Hits middle. And almost in the middle of the middle.
Sri Lanka have finally lost their fourth wicket and more vitally, it is Sanga, who is gone now.A very crucial 63, off a more crucial 226 balls.
It was well bowled from Siddle, from over the wicket and after pitching in line it jagged back in and beat the inside edge. Thudded into the pads and the umpire, Nigel Llong, despite all those that have gone against him, had no hesitation in raising his finger.
1:34pm
Red Kev said | 1:34pm | Report comment
Phew! Now I’m breathing easier.
1:22pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 1:22pm | Report comment
And Siddle has one now, Samaraeera’s gone, DRS used again!
Wow and that review has gone in favour of the batsman again! This one has hit him outside the off stump and the third umpire has overturned it. Samaraweera survives and joins Sangakkara in doing so!
What luck!
1:20pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 1:20pm | Report comment
Shorter from Lyon and turning away, Sangakkara does not let that one go after four successive dots. Cuts in the gap for four.
3/150 in 73
1:18pm
Chris said | 1:18pm | Report comment
Sri Lanka’s only need to survive 52 balls per wicket now.
Can’t escape the growing sensation that a draw is inevitable.
1:30pm
Red Kev said | 1:30pm | Report comment
While Sangakkara and Mathews are still not out I can’t shake the feeling that Sri Lanka are going to have a crack. If they’re chasing 150-175 in the final session and both those two are still not out I’ll be worried.
1:16pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 1:16pm | Report comment
One off the Lyon over and Siddle takes up bowling from the other end.
He is bowling them within the stumps now and hoping that one will either jump away and take an edge or keep really low.
1:12pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 1:12pm | Report comment
Lyon to take up attack after lunch v Smaaraweera and Sanga.
12:44pm
Matt said | 12:44pm | Report comment
Please not Adelaide all over again
12:51pm
Chris said | 12:51pm | Report comment
Faf du Plessangakkara?
12:36pm
Chris said | 12:36pm | Report comment
You would have to say Sri Lanka is in a slightly better position than they were overnight. They are less likely to win (allthough they didn’t have much hope anyway), but also much less likely to lose.
The draw at $1.90 seems pretty good value.
12:32pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 12:32pm | Report comment
Sterling effort from Sangakkara, he has batted more than 200 balls already for his 57. Samaraweera giving him good company at the other end and despite the loss of captain Jayawardene, the side has done well this first session.
They will go into lunch at 3/144 and a potentially exciting middle session in the offing in 35 minutes time.
Here is how Mahela Jayawardene got out today, Australia’s only wicket that first session…
12:27pm
Rabbitz said | 12:27pm | Report comment
Once more Australia’s lack of a genuine bowling attack is exposed.
With all due credit to the Sri Lankan batsmen, who have looked solid.
However, the Aussie bowlers have looked anything but threatening. Trundling in and hoping for a mistake just does not win Test matches. They need to make the batsmen make the mistake.
They are trying but just do not have the guile or ability.
12:25pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 12:25pm | Report comment
And now, finally, as we near the end of this session, the unevenness of the bounce is coming to the fore now. Especially when Watson is bowling.
Some have taken off while there are others which are keeping suspiciously low. And Samaraweera is playing them on the back foot. May not be the wisest thing to go.
3/140
12:19pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 12:19pm | Report comment
Watson has got him out lbw, Sanga goes for a review, overturned!
Not a no-ball, deviating back into the batsman, does not look like height was an issue BUT it is hitting him outside the line of the off-stump! Whoa, what a review!
It was a strange shot to play from someone who has played so well so far. It was short of length and Sanga went for an ugly, across the stumps swipe, and missed! Hit him on the pad and there was a huge appeal to which the umpire gave out. Luckily Lanka had reviews left there.
Sanga lives to fight another day.
12:23pm
Red Kev said | 12:23pm | Report comment
Lucky there for Sanga. This is an example of what the DRS is not supposed to be used for though – referring on the hope he’s not out given the game situation.
1:15pm
Chris said | 1:15pm | Report comment
He wasn’t out, he was given out, and was shown to be not out.
If that isn’t a good use of DRS then I don’t know what is.
12:19pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 12:19pm | Report comment
And now Samaraweera looks to shoulder arms to Lyon. Long appeal from the bowler and those behind the stumps and they consider going for the review. Decide against it.
3/135
12:17pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 12:17pm | Report comment
Samaraweera is clearly not enjoying facing up to the offie. He had gone down the track for a four a couple of overs ago and now gets an edge through backward point for three.
There is a bit of confusion, I think, in Samaraweera’s mind over whether or not will the ball turn.
3/135
12:10pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 12:10pm | Report comment
70 overs remain today and Sri Lanka need to score 266 runs. The required-rate’s nudging up to four and under the conditions, it may not be easy to get that over sustained periods.
If one had to look from Sri Lanka’s point of view, assuming they lose not more than one wicket till tea, which is about 35 overs away, and they score about 70-75 (that’s their current run-rate). This would leave them to get 190 in the last 30 overs with say six wickets standing.
Won’t be easy.
12:03pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 12:03pm | Report comment
So Starc’s off now and Watson from round the stumps.
3/127 in 63
12:01pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 12:01pm | Report comment
Suddenly Lyon is getting some to turn back into viciously from outside the off. And almost as suddenly, Samaraweera comes out of his crease and smacks him over mid-on for a four, couple of bounces into the fence.
11:56am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:56am | Report comment
Nathan Lyon has replaced David Warner and starts off with a maiden.
3/121
11:49am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:49am | Report comment
This is interesting…just coming in that the Sri Lankan management has raised questions about ball tampering, allegedly from Peter Siddle.
This is what the official ICC statement tells us: “ICC match referee Chris Broad is aware of the media reports coming out of Sri Lanka on the ball issue. The Sri Lanka team has made no official complaint about the ball.”
12:06pm
Redb said | 12:06pm | Report comment
Enjoy the MCG next week Lanka!
11:47am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:47am | Report comment
Sangakkara has gotten himself to his half-century; his 40th in Test cricket to go with 30 centuries.
Not much of a celebration, a light raise of the bat.
11:45am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:45am | Report comment
Full-toss from Warner and that has been smoked over mid-wicket for a four! First real bad ball of the day and Sanga was waiting for it.
11:44am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:44am | Report comment
The first real jagger of the day – round the stumps to Samaraweera and it pitches on off stump, looks to angle in before tagging away like a leg-spinner. Only problem with that delivery was that it was way too short to test the batsman.
3/114 in 58. One in that over.
11:41am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:41am | Report comment
Change in the bowling now as Mitchell Starc returns back to take over from Siddle, despite his wicket-taking over last.
11:39am
Chris said | 11:39am | Report comment
Not sure bowling Warner is the best strategy. Generally part timers only take wickets when the batsman is looking to punish them. If the batsman is looking to defend then a part timer has Buckley’s chance.
11:43am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:43am | Report comment
It is probably to do with rotate things around; a. because he has a bowler injured and b. to make the batsmen a tad loose while playing even at the other end. Difficult to prove it but it could be something more than a coincidence that a wicket fell when Warner was bowling from the other end.
11:36am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:36am | Report comment
It is Thilan Samaraweera at five. He is usually slower than both, Sanga and Jayawardene and likes to take his time before he gets going.
3/112 in 56
11:35am
Vas Venkatramani said | 11:35am | Report comment
Side for Boxing Day:
Cowan
Warner
Hughes
Hussey
Khawaja
Haddin
Wade (w)
Johnson
Cutting
Bird
Beer
Hilfenhaus, Clarke, Watson (it’s inevitable) out to injury
Siddle, Starc and Lyon out to CA performance management policy
11:38am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:38am | Report comment
Six changes to the side is it? That is one too many even by CA’s standards.
12:15pm
Matt F said | 12:15pm | Report comment
Lyon and Siddle won’t be rested, especially given there’s still 8 days until Boxing Day. Starc might be dropped if he doesn’t do well today though
12:38pm
Vas Venkatramani said | 12:38pm | Report comment
I don’t think Starc will be dropped, as he’s bowled well enough to take wickets. Plus he’s the only one I presume that is working on a clean bill of health. I wonder if that has anything to do with the fact he’s been constantly bowling since joining Yorkshire in the winter?
I wish I was joking when I said the changes. But I honestly think the test tubers in CA now will force those three to rest given the extensive workload they’ll be facing today.
1:52pm
Suneer Chowdhary said | 1:52pm | Report comment
I am with Matt on this one. Doubt that Lyon or Siddle will be rested given the amount of break between the games.
And yep, as you said, Mitchell Starc may be given another chance. Only Hilfenhaus and Clarke – if he does not recover – will be my changes for MCG.
(assuming no other injuries hit players playing in the BBL or sneezing or cutting meat)
11:32am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:32am | Report comment
Edged and gone!
Jayawardene has looked very good so far with his defence but this time he fails to cover for the swing. It was on the off stump from Siddle and there was a slight movement away from the batsman. He gets an edge which goes to Clarke at first slip and he takes a very good catch, rather low down.
Three down now.
11:56am
jameswm said | 11:56am | Report comment
Shame he didn’t catch Sanga yesterday too!
11:25am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:25am | Report comment
Drinks are on field now and it almost seems like a cakewalk of a session so far for Sri Lanka. They have kept the good balls out, but none of them have been threatening.
2/110 in 54.
11:28am
Red Kev said | 11:28am | Report comment
I am still surprised that Sri Lanka aren’t pushing a little harder for the runs.
11:34am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:34am | Report comment
I never thought they would…their blue print would be to bat till tea losing as few as possible and then check if the target is achievable. I am surprised that the pitch hasn’t played its expected part in this extremely interesting drama.
11:21am
Chris said | 11:21am | Report comment
Wicket needed every 60 balls now.
All three outcomes still in play. Interesting, the draw just overtook the Australian win as the bookies favorite.
11:17am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:17am | Report comment
Shane Watson has been removed from the attack and Dave Warner has come on now. This should be interesting…will the Lankans go after the part-time, but useful leg-spin of Warner?
2/109 in 52
11:16am
Jason said | 11:16am | Report comment
Australia haven’t looked remotely like taking a wicket today.
The 28s I got on Sri Lanka to win is looking pretty good.
11:10am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:10am | Report comment
Dabbing around against the bowling rather well the pair and they have now batted an hour today without getting separated.
What will worry the bowlers is that they have not looked any troubled either.
Watson drifts down the leg side and is easily tucked away to fine-leg for a four! Bit of reverse swing back into the bat.
2/101 in the 51st
10:59am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:59am | Report comment
Again a couple of runs last ball for Sanga. Decent going for Lanka here.
2/91 in 48.
10:54am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:54am | Report comment
Only a single off the last ball of the Watson over. This brings Sanga back on strike against Peter Siddle who replaces Starc now.
2/89 in 47
10:51am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:51am | Report comment
Change in bowling now and Lyon is off. Watson comes on.
23 have come of nine overs today. Decent going when you consider they haven’t lost any.
10:48am
will said | 10:48am | Report comment
How great are the chance of a draw ?
I’m not really fimiliar with the point system but the game itself is quite intresting!
Best whishes from Sweden!
11:52am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 11:52am | Report comment
Welcome will!
The chances of a draw are decent for this game, probably as high as the chances of an Australian win. A Sri Lankan victory looks the farthest from reality right now.
10:44am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:44am | Report comment
Almost 35 minutes of play today and not a single ball has reared up ugly, and nor has any one of them tested the Lankan batsmen so far.
Starc continues.
10:43am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:43am | Report comment
Cut away through the covers for a four. Some turn there but it is short and wide and that is the first boundary of the day.
10:42am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:42am | Report comment
Starc’s drifting them down Sanga’s pads every now and then. And he is getting ticked off for a single or two every time.
2/82
10:39am
Chris said | 10:39am | Report comment
Aus now need a wicket every 67 balls. Moving ominously closer to our bowlers strike rates.
10:35am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:35am | Report comment
Short and smacked through the covers for four by Sanga. The ball was turning away from him and he covered well for the turn.
Only the previous ball he had tapped it to the off side and wanted a single, but there is a misunderstanding between Sanga and MJ. This time it is hit very cleanly by the former captain.
2/82
10:33am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:33am | Report comment
Fuller from Starc outside the off and Sanga drives it through the covers for three runs.
2/76 in 42
10:28am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:28am | Report comment
MJ goes down the track and tries to slam it straight back but it’s to the bowler who throws it back – and genuinely so because he can get a run-out there – but neither does it hit the stumps nor can the keeper get to it. Couple of overthrows is the result.
2/73
10:23am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:23am | Report comment
The first real attempt to play a shot from Sanga and it is in air for a long time. It is short of length outside the off from Starc and Sanga wants to punch it through the covers but he was playing it on the up; flies in the air and in the gap through covers for a couple.
2/70 in the 40th
10:22am
Chris said | 10:22am | Report comment
Current equation: Australia needs a wicket every 70 balls.
Our strike rates: Watson 61, Starc 54, Lyon 66 and Siddle 58. Should come down to the last 5 overs.
10:40am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:40am | Report comment
Need to also look at the batsmen’s averages – average balls played every innings to go with those strike-rates. For example, Sanga’s average is 102 and MJ plays 97 per innings.
10:21am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:21am | Report comment
Starc is back to bowling from over the wicket. Sangakkara against him.
10:19am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:19am | Report comment
A single off Lyon to Sanga. MJ continues to defend and plays out four balls with a straight bat.
One of them, slightly shorter, was played off the back foot and it turned back into the batsman rather well.
10:16am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:16am | Report comment
A maiden to begin for Australia. Starc did not get any swing from round the stumps, most of them were defended stoutly by MJ.
Nathan Lyon will bowl the second over. Kumar Sangakkara against him.
2/65
10:12am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:12am | Report comment
Michael Clarke, as expected, has taken up his position in the slips For now, it is sunny and bright.
10:11am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:11am | Report comment
Two of the biggest pillars of Sri Lankan cricket, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara will be on the crease first up.
Australia will open the bowling with Mitchell Starc, round the stumps.
10:07am
Suneer Chowdhary said | 10:07am | Report comment
Hello everyone and welcome to the fifth and final day’s play at Hobart. Australia need eight wickets while Sri Lanka require 328. There is a third possibility too obviously, something that Sri Lanka may look to play for – a draw.