Australia vs Sri Lanka SCG Test: cricket live scores, updates (Day 4)
Columnist By Geoff Lemon, 6 Jan 2013 Geoff Lemon is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- Australia v Sri Lanka, Cricket, Jackson Bird, live blog, Michael Clarke, Sydney Cricket Ground
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Live Scores
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Australia v Sri Lanka SYDNEY CRICKET GROUND, JANUARY 3-7, 2013 3rd Test - AUS v SLA |
|---|
| Sri Lanka 1st Inn | 294 All Out |
| Australia 1st Inn | 9/432 |
| Sri Lanka 2nd Inn | 278 All Out |
| Australia 2nd Inn | 5/141 |
| Australia won the toss and elected to bowl | |
| Australia won by 5 wickets | |
| Australia | Over:42.5 RR:3.29 | ||||
| Batsmen | Runs | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEK Hussey | 27 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 64.29 |
| MG Johnson* | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14.29 |
| Sri Lanka | |||||
| Bowlers | O | M | R | W | Econ |
| HMRKB Herath* | 16.5 | 0 | 47 | 3 | 2.79 |
| TM Dilshan | 18.0 | 2 | 57 | 1 | 3.17 |
| Recent Overs: | ||
| 1 4 . 1 . . | | . . . . . 1 | | 2 . . 1 . . | |
| Last Wicket: | Wade, 9 (BWD:Herath) |
| Current Partnership: | 9 runs, 24 balls, RR:37.50 |
Australia are on the brink of a 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka thanks to a lacklustre batting effort from the visitors for the fourth time in a row.
We’ll bring you the live scores of the action throughout this game, with the third day starting at 10.30 am AEDT on January 6.
It was a usual story of if-only-they-had-batted-better for Sri Lanka. The start was decent, the odds of putting pressure back on Australia were good and then an inexplicable middle-order capitulation spoiled it all for the visitors.
They now stare at a certain defeat unless Australia get afflicted by a problem they often suffered from in the late 1990s and early 2000s – failure to chase smallish targets in dead rubbers.
Having conceded a 138-run lead to Australia, Sri Lanka got exactly what they needed from their top-order.
A confident 85 from Dimuth Karunaratne coupled with a spunky half-century from Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka were only six adrift of the Aussie lead with nine wickets intact.
Then the inexperienced opener fell, only a few runs short of his first century in Australia and the rest of the order crumbled without fight.
First innings star Lahiru Thirimanne got out cheaply, as did Thilan Samaraweera and Angelo Mathews, with only Dinesh Chandimal holding fort going into the fourth day.
Only 87 ahead and with three wickets in the kitty, Sri Lanka will need divine intervention if they have to escape from this series without a clean sweep against them.
Not that Sri Lanka did not have their chances with the ball. With Australia seemingly pushed to the corner by stumps on the second day, the visitors needed to get their act together with the ball in the first session.
Instead, a superlative, backs-to-the-wall effort from Matthew Wade – who carved out a century and helped an Australian declaration – ensured that the hosts will have enough in their banks by the time Sri Lanka batted again.
Australia’s last three wickets added 125 runs, enough to propel the side to safety.
We will bring you the live coverage throughout the game from the SCG and hope to receive your opinions as the action unfolds.
Geoff Lemon is a writer and radio broadcaster. He joined The Roar as an expert columnist in 2010, writes the satirical blog Heathen Scripture, and tweets from @GeoffLemonSport.
The Crowd Says (380) | Page 1 of Comments
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4:15pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:15pm | Report comment
So the match ends with Australia at 5/141, a five wicket win. Australia were on top for most of the match, but it was still relatively close, and Sri Lanka only have themselves to blame for not getting closer.
Rangana Herath, aka The Grapes, battled manfully again to take 3 wickets in that final innings, but he was about 100 runs short in terms of a bowling target. Sri Lanka had three opportunities to get that 100 runs – they folded at crucial times in both batting innings, and letting Australia’s tail get away with too many runs in Australia’s first dig.
Matt Wade was crucial to that effort, with his rearguard hundred a brilliant innings, and one by a cancer survivor on Jane McGrath Day at the SCG. It was stirring stuff.
Sri Lanka will take some positives out of this game, namely the emergence of their younger players. Lahirua Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, and Dimuth Karunaratne (aka Simba) all contributed strongly. So did Mahela Jayawardene, who batted beautifully in both innings and scored two half-centuries.
But it was the rest of the experienced top order – Dilshan, Samaraweera, and Mathews – who let down the batting efforts in both innings. A bit more application by them, and some more sensible batting by the lower order, would have Sri Lanka set a more competitive target.
Samaraweera is an impressive player, who was exceptionally brave in fighting his way back into international cricket after being shot during the terrorist attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Pakistan. But with the new players coming through, and Kumar Sangakkara to return, his time in Test cricket may have reached its end.
Bowling-wise, Sri Lanka’s pace attack looked toothless, and they could well have got more value from off-spinner Suraj Randiv.
As for Australia, David Warner and Phil Hughes did well in the first innings, and Michael Clarke looked classy but gave it away a bit too easily. Wade provided the exclamation mark.
In the second innings, Ed Cowan has been criticised for his middling scores, but his 36 was crucial in chasing a small target, and held much of the innings together. Mike Hussey provided the cool head at the end, and as he’s done so often before, saw Australia to the line.
In terms of bowling, Jackson Bird was Man of the Match for his match haul of 7/117. He looked the most consistent of the Australian bowlers. Mitch Johnson had the best figures of the second dig, with 3/34, and was the most economical too, without necessarily looking dangerous.
Nathan Lyon again looked harmless, and bowled only 34 for the match in an SCG Test. The dearth of alternatives is the main factor in him holding his place. Starc was effective and ineffective in bursts, while Siddle was as solid as ever without dominating.
Of course, the most attention this match has gone to Mike Hussey, and deservedly so. Mr Cricket bows out of the game for which he is named with an average of 51.52 over 78 Tests, and as one of the most popular Australian players of the last couple of decades. He is being chaired from the field as we speak, and he deserves every minute of the adulation, however modest he generally is.
Thanks to Roshan Abeysinghe, the visiting Sri Lankan commentator on ABC, for his erudite and educated commentary. Russell Arnold was also a good addition in Sydney.
Thanks for the memories, Michael Hussey, and all your hard work – and good luck with life to come from here.
And thanks to you, Roarers, for hanging out with me over the past few days. My hands are rigid with RSI from typing for so long, so I hope you appreciate my battling through the pain. I know how Mr Cricket feels.
Farewell all – at least until the one-dayers begin. Until then, leave us your thoughts on this match and all that transpired within it, on the comments board above and below.
Geoff out.
4:26pm
MrKistic said | 4:26pm | Report comment
Good commentary work Mr Lemon. Cheers.
4:58pm
Rabbitz said | 4:58pm | Report comment
Thanks Geoff.
It has been a great laugh.
8:14pm
Jason said | 8:14pm | Report comment
Good comment about Clarke. His bating looked quite disinterested in this match and in fact series. Perhaps he doesn’t feel challenged enough?
4:01pm
eagleJack said | 4:01pm | Report comment
Easily the biggest story to come from this lacklustre Test match is Lyon will now lead the team song… Interesting move from Huss – he obviously holds Lyon in high regard and can see him being a mainstay of the side.
4:15pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:15pm | Report comment
Is that right? Gee, I can’t see him being that many Tests from a holiday…
4:22pm
MrKistic said | 4:22pm | Report comment
I reckon Dave Warner would be fairly spewing about now.
4:26pm
Brendon said | 4:26pm | Report comment
I’d like some people to comment on this, I would have thought that watching Herath bowl would have been beneficial to Lyon, but nothing has changed. Herath is a little ripper.
When he first came onto the scene he had lovely loop and drift and that’s now gone, his speed variations are also a bit subtle. I truly believe he has the talent but there seems to be a really defensive mindset to the coaching he’s receiving, it happens all to often with out spinners and they all end up being Xavier Doherty clones.
Is it the spinners or is it the coaches, for me it’s the latter.
4:29pm
MrKistic said | 4:29pm | Report comment
What’s quite worrying is that Lyon has mentioned that he’s doing what the captain wants him to. Given Clarke’s general good work with the spinners, I really can’t imagine him suggesting to Lyon to run back to his mark and bowl darts. He bowled a few up and into the breeze t’other day and looked so much better but it just doesn’t seem to be his MO at the moment for whatever reason.
4:42pm
Brendon said | 4:42pm | Report comment
Clarky flights the ball as well, so I’m not sure how that works, he should bowl himself a lot more I think.
3:58pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:58pm | Report comment
Report to follow shortly…
3:53pm
jamesb said | 3:53pm | Report comment
thanks for the memories Michael Hussey!
you will be missed
3:52pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:52pm | Report comment
42.5
A run! Oh no. An accidental run to Johnson? It was something of a leading edge into the covers, I think Hussey called him through for the run, consummate professional that he is. So Johnson ends on 1, Hussey on 27 not out, and Australia wins the Test by five wickets.
In keeping with his character, the first thing he does is shake hands with Chandimal, the keeper, who was closest to him. Then the Sri Lankans sportingly flocked around him, shook his hand, and there was Dilshan clearly saying “Good luck, mate,” and patting him on the back. Great scenes, and this is cricket in its best spirit.
3:52pm
Red Kev said | 3:52pm | Report comment
Hussey forced it – he really does hate the fanfare doesn’t he
3:53pm
Hazey the Bear said | 3:53pm | Report comment
I doubt it, Huss was half way down the pitch before Johnson moved. He tried to block it, but it hit the outside edge and ran away…I think that’s humility on Huss’ part as well – winning the match over personal accolades or moments.
3:58pm
Rabbitz said | 3:58pm | Report comment
Such a Michael Hussey way to finish. ALWAYS the team man. I think he really just wanted the team to win, it wasn’t about accolades for him.
4:16pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:16pm | Report comment
Agreed.
3:51pm
Atawhai Drive said | 3:51pm | Report comment
The Test is over. My house becomes a Channel 9-free zone until November 21.
4:16pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:16pm | Report comment
Bliss.
3:50pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:50pm | Report comment
42.3
Single! Scores level. Huss on 27.
3:50pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:50pm | Report comment
42.1
The Grapes bowling. Huss blocks.
3:49pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:49pm | Report comment
Hahaha! Never seen a batsman so keen to stay on 0 not out. Johnson blocks out two balls assiduously, and Hussey can take the strike.
3:51pm
Hazey the Bear said | 3:51pm | Report comment
More to come this over…Aww! Hussey’s fault on that one – he instigated the run. I think Johnson didn’t want it, but Huss has the final word.
3:48pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:48pm | Report comment
41.4
Single! Will Johnson spoil the party?
3:49pm
Red Kev said | 3:49pm | Report comment
Nah he knows the right thing to do
3:47pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:47pm | Report comment
41.1
Back after the silly tea break, and 2 runs for Hussey straight away, after yet another standing ovation.
5/138
3 to get
3:47pm
Hazey the Bear said | 3:47pm | Report comment
What do we think? Four or six?
3:28pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:28pm | Report comment
40.6
What?! 5 runs to win, and the umpires are going off for tea?
3:29pm
Rhys said | 3:29pm | Report comment
I sense one of them has to make an urgent pitstop.
3:29pm
MrKistic said | 3:29pm | Report comment
And they’ve gone 2 minutes before the scheduled time. Yet another complete schemozzle in cricket’s wonderful administrative history.
3:35pm
Matt F said | 3:35pm | Report comment
Tea was scheduled for 3:10. They are able to push it back by 15 minutes if they think a result is possible which took it to 3:25. It’s not the umpires fault but, for a sport which is supposedly under pressure to stay relevant, these kind of things don’t help. Just stay out there and get it done
3:40pm
Rabbitz said | 3:40pm | Report comment
Actually, the controlling body of the sport in Oz – Channel 9 – would love this. They get to run a bunch more ads, have their “much loved personalities” spruik a bunch more crap and generally keep the advertisers happy.
Makes it pretty relevant on those points…
And Channel 9 would *NEVER* do anything to harm cricket. Right?
3:46pm
Matt F said | 3:46pm | Report comment
Makes what relevant?
4:24pm
MrKistic said | 4:24pm | Report comment
Ah, my bad. I thought it was a 20 minute extension. There is definitely a lack of flexibility when it comes to lunch and tea though. I appreciate the timings of test cricket but that one really did seem a bit pointless.
4:31pm
Matt F said | 4:31pm | Report comment
It’s a stupid rule. One of many sadly
3:32pm
Matt said | 3:32pm | Report comment
That explains why my feed stopped working, I thought it had just frozen. Figured it was game over, what else so close to the end?!
3:27pm
Rhys said | 3:27pm | Report comment
Hussey to hit one into the crowd. Nine’s merchandising department to celebrate bonanza with next memorabelia product.
Mr. Cricket clears the pickets!!
3:27pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:27pm | Report comment
37.3
The single behind square leg. 5 to get.
5/136
3:26pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:26pm | Report comment
37.1
2 runs from The Grapes, Hussey judges it well and sprints the second.
5/135
3:25pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:25pm | Report comment
36.6
Dilshan gives away the single from the last ball, so Hussey keeps the strike.
5/133
3:23pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:23pm | Report comment
36.1
The Pickle to continue with the ball, Huss defending.
3:20pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:20pm | Report comment
38.5
OUT!
Wade is gone! Hussey had taken a single the ball before, the Wade tried to launch over midwicket, missed it all ends up, and Herath’s change of pace did for him, taking the timbers. Don’t need an umpire for that one!
Wade gone for 8.
5/132
3:22pm
MrKistic said | 3:22pm | Report comment
Shocking swipe. Just don’t let the all-rounder take the winning runs from the Huss.
3:24pm
Rhys said | 3:24pm | Report comment
Wade does have an attack of the Haddins from time to time.
3:24pm
Red Kev said | 3:24pm | Report comment
Man if SL could have set a target over 200 this would have been very interesting.
3:19pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:19pm | Report comment
37.2
FOUR!
MR CRICKET!
He has been waiting his entire Test career to play that. A ball outside off from The Grapes, and Hussey plays a reverse sweep through third man for four.
He has 18.
4/132
3:20pm
Hazey the Bear said | 3:20pm | Report comment
That was glorious – such a clever shot (when played correctly – which it often isn’t). Not long to go now.
3:18pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:18pm | Report comment
37.1
The Grapes continuing. Wade takes a single to midwicket.
4/127
3:17pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:17pm | Report comment
37.6
Edge!
Falls in front of slip from the bat of Hussey, The Pickle bowling. Luck not with Sri Lanka, but they could have made more of their own.
3:15pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:15pm | Report comment
37.3
Wade cuts a single from The Pickle. 17 to get.
4/124
3:13pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:13pm | Report comment
Plenty happening in these last overs. LBW shouts, near catches, Hussey’s final chance for a nice not-out, the not-out specialist…
3:12pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:12pm | Report comment
36.1
We’re not having tea, just pressing on. Only 20 to get. The Grapes of Herath to continue.
3:10pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:10pm | Report comment
35.1
FOUR
Nearly gone again! Dilshan’s ball cut in the air by Wade, just past a despairing Thirimanne again at backward point this time. Gets runs.
4/121
3:10pm
Rabbitz said | 3:10pm | Report comment
Can someone please teach the Sri Lankan’s how to appeal?
That shrieking, squealing thing they do makes it almost as bad as watching women’s tennis.
Please tell me they are going home for the ODI series.
3:14pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:14pm | Report comment
I don’t mind it, Rabs. Adds a kind of urgency and excitement to things late in the innings.
3:18pm
Rabbitz said | 3:18pm | Report comment
It really puts me off.
DK Lillee once said it wasn’t until he played County that he learned to appeal properly – Lancashire I think it was. He said that a good meaty appeal was an important weapon in a bowlers armoury. I guess it disrupts the batsmen’s thought process.
3:14pm
Hazey the Bear said | 3:14pm | Report comment
They’re going home for the ODI series…
3:14pm
Hazey the Bear said | 3:14pm | Report comment
Sadly, this is a lie.
3:15pm
Rabbitz said | 3:15pm | Report comment
Ahhh poop
3:09pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:09pm | Report comment
34.6
Missed!
Sharp chance, very difficult, but Wade bashed that through Thirimanne at short leg. Could have been snared had luck been on their side. Herath had a huge LB shout the ball before that. He’s swarming, is Herath. If he even had 50 runs more to play with…
4/117
3:11pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:11pm | Report comment
Hussey, rather.
3:07pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:07pm | Report comment
And as I predicted, there was no guard of honour for Hussey this innings. Some people were reading too much into that happening in the first innings, but I thought that was just standard protocol.
3:06pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:06pm | Report comment
That’s interesting. Hussey has now scored the most runs by an Australian batsman against Sri Lanka, at an average of 108. Five centuries, two 90s, from 13 innings. Incredible.
3:05pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:05pm | Report comment
29 runs to go, Huss and Wade at the crease. How Sri Lanka would love another 100 runs.
3:03pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:03pm | Report comment
33.1
FOUR
Dilshan drops short again, Hussey pulls his gloriously through midwicket! Got 8.
4/112
3:02pm
Geoff Lemon said | 3:02pm | Report comment
The classic Cowan innings – he’s about the only player I know who actually makes his average almost every innings. A solid mid-30s score sometime between the 25th and 35th over is the Cowan specialty, and while people criticise, I’m actually pretty happy with that from an opening batsman.
He has shepherded Australia to a winning position, where if he’d gone earlier with Warner then it could have been dangerous.
3:04pm
Hazey the Bear said | 3:04pm | Report comment
Maybe his bats only last that long – The one he used earlier was just inferior quality…
3:05pm
MrKistic said | 3:05pm | Report comment
He did last longer than Clarke too who’s our best player of spin. Hussey, as usual, looks comfortable from ball 1.
2:59pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:59pm | Report comment
32.5
OUT!
Cowan’s gone. Well, he referred it, but that was a ridiculous referral that was just out of hope. Herath hit him pad first, in front of middle, halfway up, without a stride in. If Hussey was the man consulted, he was just trying to be nice to his teammate and hoping for a miracle.
4/108
3:00pm
Hazey the Bear said | 3:00pm | Report comment
I think I jinxed him…but at least the bitterness is gone.
3:01pm
MrKistic said | 3:01pm | Report comment
36 hey? Improved on his average a little.
2:59pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:59pm | Report comment
32.2
Herath on, another single from Hussey, he now has 4. Cowan 36.
3/108
2:56pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:56pm | Report comment
31.4
And Hussey off the mark with two to deep cover, and the crowd boos good-naturedly as the boundary is saved.
3/106
2:55pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:55pm | Report comment
And Hussey’s first ball is the most loudly cheered leading-edge defensive shot to mid on that I’ve ever seen.
2:53pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:53pm | Report comment
31.2
OUT!
Clarke is gone! The crowd gets their perverse wish, Hussey will bat. Dilshan came back on to bowl, Clarke lobbed up a bat-pad catch to Thirimanne and was out for 29 – he walked even as the Sri Lankans appealed.
Here’s Mr Memorabilia.
3/104. Too late for Lanka, unless a dramatic two more wickets fall now.
2:56pm
Hazey the Bear said | 2:56pm | Report comment
In all seriousness, it’s all a formality now really – I can’t see the Aussies going too far wrong from here. Even Cowan is looking okay (what’s that bitter taste in my mouth?)…
2:58pm
BennO said | 2:58pm | Report comment
At least Clarke can’t run him out this time. He’ll be happier batting with Cowan…won’t he?
3:01pm
Hazey the Bear said | 3:01pm | Report comment
That question is now irrelevant!
3:00pm
MrKistic said | 3:00pm | Report comment
My terrible predictions have now got Wade a century and Hussey another bat. I’m on fire.
2:50pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:50pm | Report comment
The cameras keep lingering on Michael Hussey, waiting with the pads on. He’d probably prefer not to bat, to be honest, it’d be calmer to watch these two take things home.
2:52pm
Hazey the Bear said | 2:52pm | Report comment
But Geoff! It’s Mr Cricket! Think of it…the moment…the glory…the memorabilia!
2:53pm
Hazey the Bear said | 2:53pm | Report comment
And it looks like we’ve got that moment now! Clarke gone for 29! Hussey makes his way to the middle…
2:49pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:49pm | Report comment
29.6
FOUR
And more – leg byes, that was leg side and went away off the pad through fine. Pressure off. Hundred up. Easy now.
2/103
2:48pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:48pm | Report comment
29.5
FOUR
A good stroke from Cowan. Back foot force through cover point from Pradeep, Cowan is enjoying him.
2/99
2:44pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:44pm | Report comment
28.5
Runs coming more easily now – a single to Clarke, 2 to Cowan, then a single to Cowan. Only 48 to get.
2/93
2:42pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:42pm | Report comment
27.6
More runs for Clarke, he gets three behind square leg, 8 runs from Pradeep’s over, and the target is down to 52. It’s getting to look easy for Australia.
2/89
2:40pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:40pm | Report comment
27.5
Short from Pradeep, and Cowan pulls well and hard to long leg. He looks much more proactive and comfortable against the pace than the dual spin attack.
2/86
2:38pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:38pm | Report comment
A delay as Cowan gets a change of bat, he’s broken the handle.
2:39pm
Hazey the Bear said | 2:39pm | Report comment
It cracked under the pressure of being Cowan’s bat?
2:37pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:37pm | Report comment
27.3
FOUR
Out of character stroke from Cowan! Shortish ball outside off, he cut it in the air, it didn’t miss gully by much but luck is with him today.
2/85
2:38pm
Rhys said | 2:38pm | Report comment
That’s Cowan’s version of going berserk.
2:36pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:36pm | Report comment
Nuwan Pradeep is on to bowl now, the pacy youngster. Bowling wide of off stump so far.
2:35pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:35pm | Report comment
So the target down to 60 now, only some quick wickets can save Sri Lanka.
Cowan has a fairly shaky 23, Clarke a more composed innings for the same total.
Partnership is 36, and valuable.
2:31pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:31pm | Report comment
25.6
FOUR
Another one, maybe Dilshan is losing his accuracy and needs to have a rest. Dragged it wide, Clarke drove through cover off the back foot, that was some shot.
2/79 now.
2:30pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:30pm | Report comment
25.1
FOUR
Dilshan continuing, Clarke onto him there.
2/74
2:25pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:25pm | Report comment
24.1
Referral
By Herath against Clarke – could be out…
Well, DRS has cost Sri Lanka here. That ball was hitting the stumps, but apparently only 48 percent of it was. It remains with umpire’s call. Clarke got a big stride in down the pitch. Again, that looked out live, it looked out on replays, and it was hitting the stumps with Hawk-Eye, but it wasn’t hitting the stumps by quite enough to overturn the not out from the umpire.
The umpires’ cowardice in calling not-out to all LBW calls is costing a lot of wickets. If they’d called out, a referral couldn’t have overturned that.
2:28pm
Red Kev said | 2:28pm | Report comment
How can you challenge an lbw when a guy has skipped out of his crease? Crazy referral.
2:34pm
Rob from Brumby Country said | 2:34pm | Report comment
I disagree, that should have been out. It hit in line and it appeared to be going on to hit the stumps. I can’t see what the 300 centimetres have to do with it at all. If you are stupid enough to charge down the wicket and attack the ball pad first, you should be out.
Clarke is one of the better players of spin in Test cricket, but recently he has adopted the bat behind pad technique, which I have no sympathy for.
2:36pm
Red Kev said | 2:36pm | Report comment
Remember back to before Hawkeye – the umpires and commentators would turn down those appeals and say “too far down the wicket, can’t give that out” and it was never an issue.
2:49pm
Rob from Brumby Country said | 2:49pm | Report comment
Well I don’t mind if the umpires come to that conclusion… But if the decision can be referred, and the available evidence suggests that it is going to go on and hit the stumps, I reckon a referral should be able to reverse the decision, regardless of how far the batsman is out of his crease.
I just really disapprove of the pad-first technique, I think it is flawed and against the interests of the game. Batsman should be using their bats first, always!
2:30pm
Hazey the Bear said | 2:30pm | Report comment
What exactly is the rule if the player is over 3 metres out of his crease? DRS and for the umpire out in the middle?
2:33pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:33pm | Report comment
Nothing to say it can’t be given out, but if the player is too far down, Hawk-Eye can’t accurately track the ball’s trajectory post-impact. If a referral can’t be decided due to bad data, it’s ruled null and void, and the original decision stands.
2:37pm
Hazey the Bear said | 2:37pm | Report comment
Still I suppose being that far out of the crease creates a lot of doubt. Surely that would be enough to justify a not-out decision?
2:22pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:22pm | Report comment
23.5
Cowan edged wide of first slip before, now he has two slips and edges wide of the second one. A single.
2/68
2:21pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:21pm | Report comment
23.3
Dilshan dropping short too often. Getting picked off for singles.
2:21pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:21pm | Report comment
23.1
Another LB shout from Dilshan. Thick and fast here. Awkward shot from Clarke, back foot attempted pull, missed it, unbalanced, struck the back leg but was angled well down leg side.
2/66
2:20pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:20pm | Report comment
22.6
The singles coming too easily in this innings. Sri Lanka need to calm down, slow down, get tight, restrict things. I think they’re getting over-excited.
2/66
2:21pm
Hazey the Bear said | 2:21pm | Report comment
Over-excited? Whatever do you mean?
2:23pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:23pm | Report comment
Watch their bowling. They’re rushing it, rushing deliveries. Pushing them leg side, dragging them short. Too easy to work around for ones. Nervous.
2:19pm
Hazey the Bear said | 2:19pm | Report comment
Cowan looks really uncomfortable running between the wickets.
That may be the most redundant thing I’ve ever written.
Sri Lanka does not seem to understand the concept of pitching in line with the stumps.
Now, that’s the most redundant thing I’ve ever written.
2:18pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:18pm | Report comment
22.3
Huge appeal from Herath against Cowan. Fast ball, hit him on the full just outside off I think. Bad miss though.
2:17pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:17pm | Report comment
Here’s my theory. The umpires, especially when having a bad game, are nervous about making bad calls. Therefore, on any line-ball decision, they’re making the safe call.
Before DRS, there wasn’t a safe call. Even if line-ball, you were either wrong or right, and being wrong either way was just as bad. Maybe a slight lean in batsmen’s favour.
Now, if an appeal is for LBW, the safe option is to say not out, because the fielding side are in the best position to see if they want to challenge it. If they don’t, and it was in fact out, the blame is given to them for not challenging.
With a caught behind decision, the safest option is to give it out, because the batsman is in the best position to know if he hit it, therefore you can rely on him to challenge if it needs challenging.
In this way, the umpiring starts being left up to the players, depending on who is in best position to make the call on whether there is doubt or not.
2:19pm
Red Kev said | 2:19pm | Report comment
Exactly right Geoff – and the umpiring of a match should not be in the players’ hands. DRS is very poorly implemented.
2:13pm
Rhys said | 2:13pm | Report comment
Geoff, it’s a pity Nine go to an extended ad break during the drink’s break. Otherwise we’d get to see Dilshan’s plumage being attended to by 2 dedicated beard groomers while his team mates suck on the Powerades.
4:22pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:22pm | Report comment
Do they use the light or the heavy roller?
2:13pm
TJ said | 2:13pm | Report comment
You have to question the captaincy. Why did SL open with two mediums after lunch. Cost them 20 or so runs.
2:12pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:12pm | Report comment
20.6
Another quiet Herath over, just the single to Clarke from it.
Cowan 19, Clarke 9.
79 runs to chase.
2/62
2:07pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:07pm | Report comment
19.5
Another big LB shout against Cowan, again on one knee, stretching way forward, and getting the pad outside the line.
2/61
2:07pm
Hazey the Bear said | 2:07pm | Report comment
Why on earth did they appeal for that? All three of the stumps were visible. That’s just…atrocious.
2:10pm
Red Kev said | 2:10pm | Report comment
Given the poor form of Cowan’s “sweep” shot there’s an argument he’s not really offering a shot
2:05pm
Hazey the Bear said | 2:05pm | Report comment
Thank goodness for Michael Clarke…After pushing one legside, there was a muffled cry of “Yes!” only to be overridden by a much louder, much more confident, inspirational captain’s “NO!”
2:09pm
Rhys said | 2:09pm | Report comment
Clarke’s the only team member who attended the optional preseason boot camp on assertive communication skills.
2:10pm
Hazey the Bear said | 2:10pm | Report comment
The others assertively declined? Well, at the very least, they did it as a team.
2:16pm
Rhys said | 2:16pm | Report comment
Hazey, I’m not sure about most of them, but rumour has it Cowan was working on a motion picture treatment tentatively titled ‘Mr. Ed Goes to Dubbo’.
2:04pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:04pm | Report comment
18.6
One run from Herath’s over.
82 needed.
2/59
2:02pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:02pm | Report comment
18.1
Slight misfield from Dilshan allows Cowan a single from Herath. Cowan has 18 now.
2/59
2:01pm
Hazey the Bear said | 2:01pm | Report comment
OKAY PREDICTION TIME! Cowan’s looking okay at times, and other times nervous, so I’m guessing he’ll contribute a bit, maybe another 20 or so before he falls to a ripper delivery. Clarke will continue to play positive and chip off runs from the target. Hussey will come in and score the winning runs.
That’s what I can see happening, but it’s not perfectly clear…Still a little hazy..
2:03pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:03pm | Report comment
If it wasn’t hazy, then the future would be bare.
2:04pm
Hazey the Bear said | 2:04pm | Report comment
When life hands you lemons….
2:06pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:06pm | Report comment
“…you say ‘F*** the lemons’ and bail.”
(Forgetting Sarah Marshall)
2:11pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:11pm | Report comment
Alternatively, “When God gives you lemons, you FIND A NEW GOD.”
2:07pm
Rhys said | 2:07pm | Report comment
Nine’s marketing department is salivating at the possibility of Hussey hitting the winning runs. They’d be hoping he does it with a six.
Nine are proud to announce a limited edition framed print ‘Mr. Cricket Clears the Pickets’ – mounted on a section of the SCG fence, smothered in zinc cream.
2:09pm
Hazey the Bear said | 2:09pm | Report comment
*applause*
2:13pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:13pm | Report comment
Comes with a cricket-ball shaped locked containing one of Mr Cricket’s fingernail clippings.
2:00pm
Geoff Lemon said | 2:00pm | Report comment
Short midwicket, short leg, short backward square for Dilshan to turn the ball into Clarke.
1:59pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:59pm | Report comment
17.1
A single for Clarke first ball from The Pickle.
2/55
1:57pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:57pm | Report comment
I have to say, the umpiring in this match has been very poor. A lot of referrals have been upheld, and a host of others saved by Umpire’s Call, when the call was likely wrong.
1:55pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:55pm | Report comment
16.1
FOUR
Welcome to the crease Michael Clarke! Lovely footwork, skips down to Herath, drives through cover for four.
2/53
1:54pm
Johnno said | 1:54pm | Report comment
Ed Cowan is giving Ivers the shivers, lucky escape. Herath sure is a 4th innings specialist up there with the best 4th innings bowlers i have seen. He’d love 200 play with, be even more dangerous
1:56pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:56pm | Report comment
Let down by his batsmen. They’ll need to be tigers in the field, but they’re more at the Simba stage, one fears.
2:08pm
Red Kev said | 2:08pm | Report comment
Let down by the bowling in the first innings (or the Australian tail depending on how you look at it). If the first innings lead was 50 instead of 138, he would have 200 to defend in the second dig.
2:14pm
Rob from Brumby Country said | 2:14pm | Report comment
Well actually apparently Herath performs best bowling in the third innings. Same as Graeme Swann.
Herath: http://www.howstat.com.au/cricket/statistics/Players/PlayerInnings.asp?PlayerID=2185
Swann: http://www.howstat.com.au/cricket/statistics/Players/PlayerInnings.asp?PlayerID=2906
Interestingly, they’ve both got worse fourth-innings strike rates than James Anderson and Vernon Philander.
1:53pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:53pm | Report comment
15.5
FOUR
Edge!
Just wide of slip! Cowan a cat of nine lives here. He has 15.
2/49
1:52pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:52pm | Report comment
15.1
Big shout from The Pickle on Cowan! He was well forward, on one knee, hit the knee roll, maybe just outside the line. Not a bad shout though.
1:51pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:51pm | Report comment
Kerry O’Keeffe on ABC radio: “People were saying ‘Do you think they’ll promote Hussey to get a bat?’ They could bat him at 10 and he’ll still bat.”
1:48pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:48pm | Report comment
14.4
Referral!
LBW shout against Hughes, and also perhaps a gloved catch. It looked out on LB for me live, but we’ll see.
1:50pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:50pm | Report comment
He’ll be out LBW – whether he gloved it to shot leg is academic, he was definitely out with that ball on its way to leg stump. I’m umpiring well off the TV, I gave that out in live action, but Tony Hill said no. Good referral by Sri Lanka.
OUT!
Yes, it’s confirmed. Hughes goes for a useful 34. Herath strikes.
2/45
1:50pm
Hazey the Bear said | 1:50pm | Report comment
Boy that was the breadth of a hair from being “umpire’s call” though, that turned more than I expected. Obviously more than Hughes expected too.
1:53pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:53pm | Report comment
But it just looked out to the naked eye. Hit him in front of middle, angling in from outside off, halfway up the stump. How was that not-outed?
1:58pm
Hazey the Bear said | 1:58pm | Report comment
Yeah that’s the thing – It looked far closer live. Don’t have an answer for that one, Geoff, other than the umpires have been dodgy all match.
1:45pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:45pm | Report comment
Double spin here at the SCG – The Dill Pickle at one end, The Grapes of Herath from the other. The Pickle and The Grapes hoping to avoid any buffet bowling.
1:44pm
Hazey the Bear said | 1:44pm | Report comment
Very confident appeal, but Cowan’s got just enough of his foot behind the line. No issues there – or there shouldn’t be…Yep, not out.
1:44pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:44pm | Report comment
13.5
Appeal for a stumping goes upstairs – Cowan’s foot left the crease as he swept on one knee, but he got it back in time.
Good bowling though from Dillers.
1/43
1:43pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:43pm | Report comment
13.4
FOUR
Cowan’s first, and his best stroke of the day. Strong sweep, reached to it, clouted it.
1/43. Target less than 100 now.
1:42pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:42pm | Report comment
13.1
Dilshan back, the Stupidest Beard in World Cricket needs to contribute here.
1:43pm
Rhys said | 1:43pm | Report comment
Sri Lankan support staff includes two dedicated beard groomers.
1:40pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:40pm | Report comment
12.6
Some intent against Herath by the Australians. Hughes swept him for 2, then drove through midwicket for 3. Cowan took a single next ball, and Hughes immediately reciprocated.
7 from the over.
1/38. The partnership consists of those 38 runs, Warner dismissed without scoring.
1:33pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:33pm | Report comment
11.1
FOUR
Lakmal continuing, Hughes is dominating him though. Innocuous seam bowling. Dished it up on a plate and Hughes drove through cover.
1/30
1:33pm
Rhys said | 1:33pm | Report comment
Ed Cowan is doing a fine Chris Tavare impersonation. Needs to grow a dinky little moustache though, and bat right handed.
1:34pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:34pm | Report comment
At this rate the change might help his chances.
1:33pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:33pm | Report comment
10.6
And now Hughes. Inside edge past his leg stump, to leg gully. Herath looking dangerous in one over so far.
1:32pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:32pm | Report comment
10.4
Oh, Cowan! Batting like Lakmal at the moment. Inside edge there, past his stumps, away for a single and there could nearly have been a run out on that run. Dicey as chopped vegies.
1/25
1:30pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:30pm | Report comment
10.3
Cowan sweeps at his first ball from Herath, top edge over short fine, and lobbed two runs behind himself. Has 5.
1/24
1:30pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:30pm | Report comment
10.2
Nice flight on the first two – the first floated up to Hughes’ boots, the second drawing a stroke in the air.
1/22
1:28pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:28pm | Report comment
10.1
And here is Herath, at last.
1:27pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:27pm | Report comment
9.6
Two men out on the hook, Lakmal’s bouncer not short enough, Hughes hooks down for a single.
1/21
1:25pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:25pm | Report comment
9.1
FOUR
Lakmal to Hughes, and its driven through wide mid on for four. Lakmal has to come off, he’s had his contribution, but he’s not good enough to continue troubling these batsmen.
Time for Herath. Come on Mahela.
1/20. Hughes 17, Cowan 3.
1:24pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:24pm | Report comment
8.6
Tight bowling from Sri Lanka. Lakmal completed a maiden to Hughes, while Cowan bats out a maiden to Dilshan. Dillers is really landing them well today – might yet contribute with the ball where he didn’t with the bat.
1:17pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:17pm | Report comment
6.3
A single. Dilshan landing a few, that previous ball was zipping through Cowan to Chandimal.
1/15
1:16pm
Hazey the Bear said | 1:16pm | Report comment
Trivia time: Dilshan has opened the batting, and in this innings has opened the bowling as well. Who was the last player to do that in a test match?
1:18pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:18pm | Report comment
Good question. Probably Dilshan again. Or perhaps Mohammed Hafeez – he’s certainly done it in limited overs a lot.
1:18pm
Rhys said | 1:18pm | Report comment
Hmmm, I’ll guess Shane Watson.
1:22pm
Hazey the Bear said | 1:22pm | Report comment
None right so far, any other takes? I’ll give ya two more minutes.
1:23pm
Rhys said | 1:23pm | Report comment
Sehwag?
1:26pm
Hazey the Bear said | 1:26pm | Report comment
Right team, wrong player
1:31pm
Rhys said | 1:31pm | Report comment
Irfan Pathan?
1:34pm
Hazey the Bear said | 1:34pm | Report comment
Actually – I needed to word the question more specifically. I should have limited it to tests in Australia, because my fact checking has revealed it’s happened since. The correct answer is Prasad (and Dilshan again), but in Australia, it was Irfan Pathan (and that was who I was thinking…)
1:39pm
Hazey the Bear said | 1:39pm | Report comment
And Mohammed Hafeez did do it a number of times as well, so well-played, Geoff.
1:15pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:15pm | Report comment
5.6
One-run over to Lakmal. This is a huge innings for Cowan. He needs to do a job here to keep the doubters at bay. A slender score could see some trouble coming his way.
1:12pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:12pm | Report comment
5.1
Back after lunch, Lakmal bowling, Cowan defending.
12:34pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:34pm | Report comment
4.6
LUNCH
Australia make the break one wicket down. That was a good over from Dillers bar the one pie that got sent to the fence. He had Hughes in some confusion, got some turn, that last ball Hughes didn’t really know what it was doing and got tangled up as it turned in line with the stumps.
Could yet be a twist to this match – a quick wicket or two and some tight bowling after lunch could be fascinating.
Australia will need 128 further runs, but Warner is gone already, and they have a short batting order this match. Two batsmen at the crease, two to come, a keeper and some bowlers.
Let’s wait and see! Catch you after lunch. Sandwich time.
12:30pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:30pm | Report comment
4.3
Referral!
Big LBW shout, not out I think. Hughes played no shot, so it hit him outside the line but didn’t matter.
Not out on that referral, it was missing off, that’s what I thought on a first look. Jayawardene needn’t have asked for that one, it didn’t look right. Lost a referral.
So three balls, two big LB shouts, one boundary. Busy over.
Where’s Herath?
12:33pm
Matt F said | 12:33pm | Report comment
Wasted review there. Bill Lawry saying it was worth a review but it was never going to be overturned
12:33pm
Hazey the Bear said | 12:33pm | Report comment
Same thing happened in the first innings, didn’t it? They took forever to get Herath on, even though he seemed the most likely. What’s up with that?
12:34pm
Matt said | 12:34pm | Report comment
Pakistan anyone…
12:36pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:36pm | Report comment
Actually, I guess you have to give your pacemen a few overs – and they got Warner. And Dilshan is a good attacking option, especially against left-handers.
But then, the whole Aussie order (6 of the top 7) are lefties, so Herath will have to bowl to them at some stage. Off-spinners can still get right-handers out, so why not vice versa?
12:40pm
Matt said | 12:40pm | Report comment
This is the ground for it!
I wouldn’t start with both spinners, but I have no qualms in giving an over and seeing how the batsmen go. If they look likely, keep them on, if they don’t go back to pace. I don’t see the need to keep them on for a few overs just because.
12:41pm
Hazey the Bear said | 12:41pm | Report comment
Aww, come on now, Geoff – Don’t backflip on me now…You called both spinners all the way through. Surely, you haven’t changed your mind based on hindsight?
I can no longer respect you as a journalist! You’re off the Christmas card list! It’s over!
1:14pm
Geoff Lemon said | 1:14pm | Report comment
If you’ve got as modest a pace attack as Sri Lanka, they only useful time to bowl them would be new ball. But if I were captaining, I’d have Herath on ASAP. He’s your best bowler, and you don’t have enough runs in the bank to have him not bowling.
12:37pm
Matt F said | 12:37pm | Report comment
Might as well give your quicks the chance with the new ball. They’ll be useless when it stops swinging and you can’t bowl Herath/Dilshan all day. Herath might simply be better when the ball is older
Though re Pakistan – Wade’s keeping did resemble Akmal’s at times, though Akmal wasn’t trying
12:30pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:30pm | Report comment
4.2
FOUR
Hughes threads the needle – short wide ball from Dilshan, and he got it between backward point and gully.
1/13
12:28pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:28pm | Report comment
3.4
Cowan looking good actually, in defence, good movement. Lakmal running back to his mark to sneak in one more over before lunch.
12:26pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:26pm | Report comment
3.1
3 runs for Hughes through a wide midwicket, clipped from Lakmal.
1/9
12:26pm
Hazey the Bear said | 12:26pm | Report comment
Hughes and Cowan manage to run three….never thought I’d see the day.
12:27pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:27pm | Report comment
Was expecting a Mark Waugh – Matt Elliot moment there.
12:24pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:24pm | Report comment
2.4
Cowan off the mark second ball of the Dilshan over with a single, then Hughes picks one up as well.
Cowan 1, Hughes 5.
1/6
12:21pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:21pm | Report comment
1.4
FOUR
Barely even a cut, just a back-foot push from Hughes, through cover, a nicely struck four.
1/4
12:21pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:21pm | Report comment
Big chance for Cowan, with his more popular opening partner gone early.
12:20pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:20pm | Report comment
Is Suranga Lakmal the subcontinental Fannie de Villiers?
12:20pm
Hazey the Bear said | 12:20pm | Report comment
Now we’ve got an interesting match…The ball is moving around and the Aussies look a little uncertain. Cowan with a near run-out, Warner snicked to slips, and now Hughes looking wary…
12:20pm
Jason said | 12:20pm | Report comment
Looks like Australia are playing on a different pitch at the moment.
12:20pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:20pm | Report comment
1.2
Hughes nearly bowled! Lakmal suddenly unplayable. Got some hoop into the left hander it seemed, beat his bat, beat his stumps.
12:18pm
Hazey the Bear said | 12:18pm | Report comment
Wow. Lakmal at the other end…that’s a surprise. But it worked! Wow. A duck for Warner.
12:18pm
Hazey the Bear said | 12:18pm | Report comment
That was surreal. I did not see that coming. But a good delivery from Lakmal, edged simply to the slip cordon and taken easily. Didn’t even get to warm-up, did Warner.
12:18pm
kellett_1992 said | 12:18pm | Report comment
I said yesterday Warner either hits or misses. He has missed this chance to score.
12:29pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:29pm | Report comment
First ball nick to slip can (and does) happen to any and every batsman in world cricket. Warner has actually been very consistent in his brief Test career.
12:33pm
Matt said | 12:33pm | Report comment
Off a drive, though? That’s not a usual first ball shot.
12:55pm
kellett_1992 said | 12:55pm | Report comment
Out of his 26 innings he has scored below 50 18 times, he has done well 8 times with 5 fifties and 3 hundreds. When he is on song he fires quick and big! I don’t doubt his ability and potential but with 18/26 innings not exceeding the so called consistency would suggest to me he has yet to distinguish the difference between go and slow. This will be what can make him a great opener.
And one other thing 12/26 innings have been below 25 runs and he just achieved his first duck let alone golden duck.
12:17pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:17pm | Report comment
1.1
OUT!
Warner gone first ball! We were expecting Herath, but we had Lakmal bowling. Angled across the left-hander, he drove, thick edge, away to Jayawardene at slip, and the Sri Lankan skipper is also the Sri Lankan slipper, one of the best in the business.
Cat among the pigeons. The Lankans will be buzzing, perfect start.
0/1, Aussie style.
12:18pm
Matt F said | 12:18pm | Report comment
Here we go! Just what they needed
12:16pm
Jason said | 12:16pm | Report comment
Another beautiful day here at the SCG. Terrible cricket by Australia during that last wicket but at least it makes a game of it. Can Ed Cowan avoid being involved in a run out?
12:16pm
Hazey the Bear said | 12:16pm | Report comment
And Cowan AGAIN almost gets himself run out.
12:17pm
Matt F said | 12:17pm | Report comment
Cowan seems to be doing his best to not go to India. Maybe he had a bad experience there once?
12:22pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:22pm | Report comment
Hates the food.
12:23pm
Matt F said | 12:23pm | Report comment
Just get Warney to ship him over a crate of baked beans…
12:15pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:15pm | Report comment
0.6
Cowan nearly ran himself out again! Dilshan hit his pad, went behind square, Cowan set off for a leg bye, Warner said “No way”, and Cowan had to scramble back.
12:13pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:13pm | Report comment
FOURTH INNINGS
141 to win. Cowan to face, Dilshan to open! Cowan needs a score here, Warner may have more licence.
12:15pm
Hazey the Bear said | 12:15pm | Report comment
Cowan’s doing a little Katich side-shuffle here.
12:15pm
Matt F said | 12:15pm | Report comment
The target is actually lower than Pradeep’s bowling average. I wonder how many times that’s happened (apart from when a team is chasing 20 or so)
12:23pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:23pm | Report comment
All the latest from Pradeep Watch.
How’s his batting average fared from the last two digs? 17 not must have been a booster.
12:26pm
Matt F said | 12:26pm | Report comment
28 runs divided by 5 dismissals = 5.6
Chris Martin’s crying in a South African hotel room right now
12:13pm
Hazey the Bear said | 12:13pm | Report comment
I think the Lankans have gone with your strategy, Geoff. Dilshan to open the bowling, Herath probably at the other end.
12:14pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:14pm | Report comment
I’m very influential in the Sri Lankan dressing room, Haze.
Now just have to sort out their running and their batting.
12:03pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:03pm | Report comment
81.2
OUT!
There’s the uh-oh. Caught behind. Bird gets his third wicket, that was on that same consistent line, a bit closer to the stumps perhaps, and Pradeep pushed at it, he probably had to, but didn’t get close enough to it. A feather through low to Wade who made no mistake.
So Sri Lanka lead by 140, Australia will need 141, and the tourists are bowled out for 278.
A great fightback from this last pair, who added 41 runs, and Chandimal batted sensationally for 62 not out.
But also disappointing from Sri Lanka – if only Herath and Lakmal had been able to play better shots, they might have helped Chandimal add another 30 or 40. And if only the middle order of Thirimanne, Mathews, and Samaraweera had played with the respect a Test match deserves, they might have set Australia 250 and had a real chance at winning this Test.
That’s the third innings done, join us for the Australian chase shortly. One last dig for Mr Cricket?
12:07pm
Hazey the Bear said | 12:07pm | Report comment
Nice response from Bird – Didn’t get flustered, just kept putting the ball in the right spot and worked his way to a wicket. Seven for the match for Janet, and I think it would be fair to say that most (all?) of his were deserved. Not so much batsmen throwing away their wickets on loose deliveries, but genuinely hard-fought, planned wickets…Who’s with me?
12:09pm
kellett_1992 said | 12:09pm | Report comment
Agreed, especially the wicket of opener karunarathe.
12:09pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:09pm | Report comment
Yes, I liked the look of Bird in this Test. He and Siddle are my two certs for the Ashes, regardless of what happens in India. Starc and Johnson remain unconvincing. Pattinson to come back would round out the attack.
Where to for Lyon? I never thought I’d be pining for Hauritz, but I have to say he seemed a more solid cricketer.
12:13pm
Matt F said | 12:13pm | Report comment
Lyon’s been a little unlucky. Wade has butchered a few wickets off him not just this match but over the summer. He doesn’t seem to be able to bowl a batsman out though. He gets his wickets more through bad batting. That’s fine in the first innings when he won’t get much help from the pitch but he can’t seem to get a batsman out when they’re digging in for the long haul. He’s still a mile ahead of our next best spinners though.
12:41pm
jamesb said | 12:41pm | Report comment
I feel sorry for Lyon.
Wade has missed I reckon 4 or 5 chances (could be more) off Lyons bowling this summer.
I also think Lyon should be bowling slower. Maybe he has been advised to be around the 88 to 90 kay mark.
12:10pm
Matt F said | 12:10pm | Report comment
You could argue that SImba’s dismissal in the 1st innings was more of a poor short. It was a well aimed short ball though. Maybe Herath’s today as well. Every other one looked like good bowling.He’s easily been our best bowler this test
12:12pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:12pm | Report comment
I thought Simba and Jayawardene were the only Lankan batsmen out to legitimately decent bowling.
12:13pm
Matt F said | 12:13pm | Report comment
SImba in the 1st innings. The 2nd innings was good bowling
4:26pm
Geoff Lemon said | 4:26pm | Report comment
Ah yes. Wasn’t paying attention, sorry.
12:03pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:03pm | Report comment
81.1
FOUR
Did I say uh-oh? Pradeep smashed that. Not totally controlled, but slogged it through mid-on.
9/278
12:02pm
Atawhai Drive said | 12:02pm | Report comment
New ball taken despite SL being nine down. Our specialist spinner unable to clean up the tail.
12:04pm
Matt said | 12:04pm | Report comment
More like slow pace. Being slow and hoping people mis-slog you and get caught or stumped isn’t a solid strategy.
12:01pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:01pm | Report comment
80.6
Uh-oh. A maiden there, Chandimal couldn’t score, so Pradeep will be exposed, probably to Jackson Bird.
12:00pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:00pm | Report comment
80.1
New ball taken as soon as available, Starc with it. Swings it often with the new ball. Pradeep will struggle.
11:59am
Matt said | 11:59am | Report comment
I don’t know much about herath, when he comes in the ball spins, I hope he doesn’t get wickets (which he usually does). When Lyon comes on I hope he can make it move at all and not too many boundaries. We’d be even better if there was a good spinner around to contrast the pace.
11:57am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:57am | Report comment
79.5
Chandimal laps Lyon fine through fine leg, Starc didn’t want to save that, he ran as slowly as he could to try to keep Chandimal on strike, but he had to save it. In the end they only ran 1, could have run 3 almost, but Chandimal has strike against the new ball.
9/274
11:57am
kellett_1992 said | 11:57am | Report comment
9/274, Chandimal on 62 with a chance to beat his 65. new ball being taken.
11:57am
Rhys said | 11:57am | Report comment
Clarke’s captaincy has been near faultless since he took over from Ponting. Should Sri Lanka bowl out the Aussies in the 4th innings with only a handful of runs to get, will Clarke’s declaration in the Aussies’ 1st dig come under intense scrutiny?
11:59am
kellett_1992 said | 11:59am | Report comment
Would Bird or Wade lasted much longer? But the question will turn to the players inability to finish a match off which looks not to hard.
12:01pm
Matt F said | 12:01pm | Report comment
Probably not but they were doing well so far. Plus this last wicket partnership for SL is going well so you never know. We may have only made an extra 5-10 runs but that could turn out to be important
12:10pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:10pm | Report comment
Or they may have made 0 more runs. Wade was dropped one ball before the declaration, remember.
12:35pm
Matt F said | 12:35pm | Report comment
Possibly. Could have been 50+ though. With that lead, and at such an early stage of the game, I think it was worth finding out how many we would have got. Wade’s apparent injury plus the 4-5 overs before lunch played a part but I would have kept going. Still shouldn’t make a difference though
11:59am
Matt F said | 11:59am | Report comment
Picking 5 bowlers should be the big issue if we lose, then the decision to bowl. I’d also query the declaration as well. I know we were 9 down so probably wouldn’t have got many more runs anyway but every run is valuable
11:55am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:55am | Report comment
79.1
Big slog to midwicket from Pradeep off Lyon, was actually a well-hit shot! But he only got one, as midwicket ran around to cut it off. Still, off strike first ball is a good result.
9/273, Pradeep has 5. He averaged 0.5 with the bat before this Test, then made 17 not out in the first innings.
11:57am
Hazey the Bear said | 11:57am | Report comment
Sri Lankan allrounder.
11:57am
Matt F said | 11:57am | Report comment
Don’t forget the 200 he’s slashed off his bowling average!
11:59am
Hazey the Bear said | 11:59am | Report comment
His improvement in this match has been exponential – literally!
12:02pm
Matt F said | 12:02pm | Report comment
Future superstar really, and we witnessed the coming of age right here. We should feel very lucky…
11:54am
kellett_1992 said | 11:54am | Report comment
How will Australia get the last wicket?
Run-out, stumping, catch etc.
12:10pm
Geoff Lemon said | 12:10pm | Report comment
The money is always on catches…
11:53am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:53am | Report comment
The emergence of Thirimanne and Chandimal tells me that Samaraweera’s career should be over.
11:52am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:52am | Report comment
78.4
FOUR
The Aussies deserve that! Full ball from Siddle and Chandimal drives beautifully through mid off, elbow high, good contact, goes to 61.
9/272
11:51am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:51am | Report comment
78.3
Siddle to Chandimal, field out on the rope. Just not good play. You’ve got nine other batsmen out with normal fields, why not back your bowlers to get one more?
11:48am
Matt said | 11:48am | Report comment
The only thing in pradeeps favour is he’s so bad he can’t even edge it!
11:53am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:53am | Report comment
He doesn’t have to if the Aussies can’t bowl on the stumps.
11:48am
kellett_1992 said | 11:48am | Report comment
A bit more of a run chase is entertaining and provides more cricket but the failure to nab this last wicket easily, is it a concern?
Anyone remember the test against South Africa, we had the foot on their throats and could not win.
Is this a sign of fragile mentality and affect our prospects in England,if we are faced with the same prospect?
11:49am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:49am | Report comment
No, I think it’s just the way the game goes sometimes. Not everything will go one side’s way all the time. Test cricket is rarely easy.
11:51am
kellett_1992 said | 11:51am | Report comment
It’s a funny game cricket, funnily enough McGrath just said the same quote as well.
11:50am
Matt said | 11:50am | Report comment
Have struggled often to finish off the tail. At least this time there is a batsman left, I remember games 100 behind with 3 bowlers to come and it was pathetic to watch.
11:48am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:48am | Report comment
77.5
Chandimal finds the single, turned square. Has 57.
9/268
11:48am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:48am | Report comment
77.4
Three defensive bunts, then a drive cut off.
11:46am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:46am | Report comment
77.1
Lyon coming on. THIS will be interesting.
11:45am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:45am | Report comment
76.5
The run-saving field is in for this fifth ball, after hanging back for the others. But they can’t stop Chandimal’s push through backward point for 3 runs – the ideal result.
One ball for Prasad.
9/267
11:42am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:42am | Report comment
76.1
Chandimal tries to put Siddle into the crowd, but misses.
11:41am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:41am | Report comment
75.6
What was THAT? That ball hooped all over the placed – it moved in a little, then cut away massively off the pitch. Pradeep could get nowhere near it if he tried.
11:40am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:40am | Report comment
75.5
Too wide from Starc.
11:39am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:39am | Report comment
75.4
A single from the fourth ball again. Chandimal has 53. Starc two balls at No. 11
9/264
11:38am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:38am | Report comment
75.2
Starc bowling after drinks. Clarke persisting with the slips/boundary field.
11:38am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:38am | Report comment
Pakistan tried this tactic on this ground, and it didn’t end too well.
11:36am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:36am | Report comment
That’s drinks. Too early for a frosty?
11:36am
jamesb said | 11:36am | Report comment
A lead of 120 odd with 1 wicket remaining, Sri lanka do have a tricky target for Australia.
have a sneaking suspicion that we have a contest. Theres been many ocassions in the past that Australia have failed to chase down small targets like 130, 150 or170.
11:42am
kellett_1992 said | 11:42am | Report comment
You don’t think it would happen today?! Not with the current form of players.
11:46am
Matt F said | 11:46am | Report comment
They’d need Herath and Dilshan to be in top form with the ball. I can’t see their quicks doing too much.
There could be some nervous moments if Cowan runs himself out early again
11:50am
kellett_1992 said | 11:50am | Report comment
If Cowan runs himself out again and doesn’t score then I would seriously consider another partner for Warner, but who?
11:55am
Matt F said | 11:55am | Report comment
Hughes up the order? Then put two of Khawaja, Watson and Maxwell in the middle order for India
12:03pm
kellett_1992 said | 12:03pm | Report comment
I would either put Hughes I Watson up top., but sounds like good replacements.
12:09pm
jamesb said | 12:09pm | Report comment
maybe
Watson
Warner
Hughes
Khawaja
Clarke
McDonald? D.Hussey? Wade?
12:36pm
Matt F said | 12:36pm | Report comment
McDonald’s injured and Dussey has been awful in the Shield. Wade could go at 6 but then who goes 7?
11:35am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:35am | Report comment
74.6
Pradeep struck, but all smiles, as that glances his helmet and pings away to point. Survives the over, big grins all round.
9/263
11:32am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:32am | Report comment
74.3
Two wafty “leaves”, and a forward defensive. Doing ok, Pradeep.
11:31am
Matt said | 11:31am | Report comment
Am I the only one hoping Sri Lanka get a few more? Would be good to get a contest out of it, even 150 lead might mean a few wickets down chasing, depends on how the pitch plays really
11:33am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:33am | Report comment
No, I’m always up for the contest first, and like seeing the underdog flourish. Unless it’s England, in either case.
11:33am
Hazey the Bear said | 11:33am | Report comment
I think at this stage, we may have a bit of a contest – But a lot of that depends on how Sri Lanka bowl.
11:38am
TJ said | 11:38am | Report comment
Agree, probably because we all want to see Huss bat again. Not watch Cowan make 20 not out while Warner knocks up a 100 at the same time from the other end.
11:41am
kellett_1992 said | 11:41am | Report comment
Would love a score of 150, would jump for joy at 200.
11:30am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:30am | Report comment
74.1
Siddle on for Johnson. I reckon he’s the man most likely. Pradeep facing. Watch this over.
11:28am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:28am | Report comment
73.5
FOUR
Half century!
An exceptional knock in the circumstance. 52 for Chandimal now, he’s kept his head, and keeps it here as he whips off his pads out to deep square leg.
9/263. He’s at least got the lead out to 125.
11:31am
Hazey the Bear said | 11:31am | Report comment
Nice innings from Chandimal – He’s done well to keep the tail wagging for a bit. It’s given the Lankans a sniff of victory.
11:33am
MrKistic said | 11:33am | Report comment
Yep, really well done by Chandimal, good to see some fight. It also means that Huss gets to hit the winning runs later today when we’re 3 down.
11:38am
kellett_1992 said | 11:38am | Report comment
4th fifty in his career with a high score of 65. Has he batted well enough to deserve a chance to beat his top score?
11:45am
Matt F said | 11:45am | Report comment
Four 50′s in your first 5 tests is pretty good. His knock this innings really makes Samaraweera’s look even worse. He was very dissapointing this series
Chandimal actually opened for them in his last test so he seems to be a “utility” type player
11:28am
kellett_1992 said | 11:28am | Report comment
Each run counts. They will go for everything and the usual well earnt wickets won’t be so easy now. Could still each 150 if Chandimal can hit a few more boundaries.
11:32am
Matt F said | 11:32am | Report comment
I’d love it if they got 150+. It would make the chase much more interesting
11:36am
kellett_1992 said | 11:36am | Report comment
I know Sri Lanka are not the best in the world but this pitch still offers, plenty for both bat, bowlers. Australia will chase the total down but I would not be surprised if 3 wickets are lost.
11:41am
Matt F said | 11:41am | Report comment
Yeah we should comfortably get anything under 200. It’s only early on the 4th day so the pitch won’t be too bad. A few early wickets might spark some nervous moments which would be good to watch, provided we still win! It would be nice to see us have to work for a win
11:28am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:28am | Report comment
73.4
Interesting field after 3 balls. Everyone sort of halfway in, half out, stopping singles, encouraging a big shot.
11:26am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:26am | Report comment
73.1
2 runs to Chandimal, clipped to fine leg. He has 48. Impressive innings.
9/259
11:25am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:25am | Report comment
72.6
Two good defensive strokes from Pradeep. Got behind the ball, blocked it out, good stride forward. That’s what they need.
11:23am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:23am | Report comment
72.4
The single now from Johnson, Chandimal to 46, Pradeep with two balls to survive.
9/257
11:21am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:21am | Report comment
72.3
Mid off, mid on, cover, slips, the rest of the field is out for Chandimal v Johnson.
11:21am
TJ said | 11:21am | Report comment
Geoffrey, how early would you get Herath on? Open with him or give the quicks (mediums probably a better term for SL) a couple from both ends?
11:23am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:23am | Report comment
They way they’ve bowled, TJ, I wouldn’t bother. Herath and Dilshan to bowl throughout. See if you can spook the Aussies.
Mahela really missed a trick by keeping his pacemen bowling to Wade when he was trying to smash to his hundred.
11:20am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:20am | Report comment
71.6
Nicely done by Pradeep, leaves it outside off. That’s all some other batsmen had to do – leave it outside, get behind it when on line – and Sri Lanka could have set 200+.
9/256. The lead now 118. Wasn’t that the magical South Africa total that saw Australia collapse here?
11:21am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:21am | Report comment
Maybe a Lankan declaration?
11:24am
Matt F said | 11:24am | Report comment
As amazing as Pradeep is I’m not sure he’s quite at Allan Donald’s level….yet
11:18am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:18am | Report comment
71.4
Fourth ball, Chandimal takes the single, leaves Pradeep two balls to survive.
9/256. Chandimal 45.
11:18am
kellett_1992 said | 11:18am | Report comment
NicE fielding this over. That is how you do it Wade.
11:17am
Rhys said | 11:17am | Report comment
Is it just me or does Ed Cowan appear to be the slowest reacting short leg fielder in the history of the game?
And yes I am aware that I wasn’t privy to the exploits of the 19th century, but I can’t imagine, even when slowed down by sepia, that anyone could have appeared to be as leisurely as Mr. Ed.
11:19am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:19am | Report comment
He’s taken a lot of catches there already, but most of them have been relatively simple. Hasn’t struck me as slow though.
11:22am
Rhys said | 11:22am | Report comment
Geoff, on second thought I retract my comment. Turns out I was watching the slo-mo replay.
11:32am
Hazey the Bear said | 11:32am | Report comment
Hahaha! If only it were the slo-mo replay when he was batting…unfortunately that’s how he really does run between wickets…
11:23am
Hazey the Bear said | 11:23am | Report comment
Cowan also had a couple of good stops at mid-wicket when the Lankans were playing the pull-shot with ferocity.
11:17am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:17am | Report comment
71.3
Good sprawling save by Wade prevents two to fine leg – had a fair sprint to cut that off.
9/255
11:17am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:17am | Report comment
71.1
I don’t like this. Clarke putting seven men on the boundary for Chandimal vs Bird.
11:14am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:14am | Report comment
70.4
Phew. Pradeep has bunted two balls this over just wide of Cowan at short leg. Johnson at his ribs.
9/255
11:16am
Hazey the Bear said | 11:16am | Report comment
Those are the short pitched deliveries you like to see at tail-enders – The one which he slashed behind the slips was too wide from Johnson.
11:13am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:13am | Report comment
70.3
FOUR
Pradeep off the mark against Johnson, uppercuts that over the slips for four.
9/255
11:12am
kellett_1992 said | 11:12am | Report comment
With one wicket left to get, when Australia start their second innings should Hussey get a bat?
11:13am
Matt F said | 11:13am | Report comment
Not at the start. A lead of 120+ can be tricky. If we lose a wicket when we’re really close to that target then it might be a nice idea.
11:16am
kellett_1992 said | 11:16am | Report comment
No, I agree, I more so meant if a loss of wicket occurs. would be nice to finish not out, maybe a 50 as well? But Warner is in form and Cowan won’t want to lose his wicket cheaply.
11:18am
Matt F said | 11:18am | Report comment
If we’re within say 40 or 50 by the time we lose out 1st or 2nd wicket then I’d send him in
11:11am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:11am | Report comment
69.6
FOUR
And again! This one through wide mid-off, smashed. 14 from the over, Chandimal to 44.
9/251
11:10am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:10am | Report comment
69.5
FOUR
Another! This one back of a length, outside off, and somehow Chandimal dragged it away down the ground through mid-on. Phenomenal shot. High risk, but it looked… weirdly impressive.
9/247
11:10am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:10am | Report comment
69.4
2 more for Chandimal, tucking Bird to deep square, they barely made it back but Pradeep got there on the dive.
9/243
11:10am
kellett_1992 said | 11:10am | Report comment
That was the running required between the wickets for less run outs to occur. Bird being taken to in this over.
11:11am
Hazey the Bear said | 11:11am | Report comment
Yeah I guess Chandimal is working on adding to the total, knowing that his partner may not be there for much longer.
11:12am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:12am | Report comment
Pradeep played some nice shots in Dig 1. Lakmal was hideous.
11:08am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:08am | Report comment
69.1
FOUR
Nice! Short and wide from Bird, Chandimal spanked the cut behind point.
9/241. The lead tops 100, now on 103.
11:06am
kellett_1992 said | 11:06am | Report comment
Jackson Bird since debut
2/32
2/29
4/41
2/51
Total – 10/153 @15.3 per wicket not bad currently. I wonder if he and the Australian cricket team can confine this form in India!
11:16am
Matt F said | 11:16am | Report comment
I doubt he’ll be averaging 15 in India but I’d say that he and Siddle will be our most effective bowlers over there. The pitches won’t offer any help to the quicks so his ability to put the ball in the right spot consistently is vital. Johnson and Starc will probably struggle over there
11:22am
kellett_1992 said | 11:22am | Report comment
The way India are playing currently is not exactly the best sort, of preparation required for the Ashes. I don’t think it will be easy but going off current form it could be easier than usual. Problem with versing India, South Africa or England generally is the other teams tend to bring their best game.
11:31am
Matt F said | 11:31am | Report comment
You’re not wrong. India are on the decline and the conditions will be the complete opposite to England. Then again I suppose it’s better than nothing.
The importance of spin in India, compared to its lesser importance in England, means that we probably can’t read too much into the series no matter if we win, lose or draw.
11:06am
Hazey the Bear said | 11:06am | Report comment
Nine down! And Sri Lanka still haven’t managed to crack the 100-run lead yet…
11:06am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:06am | Report comment
68.6
OUT!
Terrible batting. Just woeful. Last ball of the over, Chandimal at the other end on 30, and Lakmal gets a full ball on line. Instead of getting behind and blocking it out to let Chandimal bat, he backs away to leg, has a huge swipe at it, misses, and is clean bowled.
Sri Lanka’s batsmen need a good slap in the face from Mahela Jayawardene in his last Test as captain.
9/237
11:06am
Hazey the Bear said | 11:06am | Report comment
How on earth would you describe that footwork?
11:08am
paddyeff2 said | 11:08am | Report comment
Terrified, or possibly sensible, footwork. Wanted to keep his head I think.
11:15am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:15am | Report comment
Out of consideration for my listener, I wouldn’t.
11:08am
kellett_1992 said | 11:08am | Report comment
Johnson not at best in first innings but has bounced back with 3/29 off 13 overs. Not bad in my book.
11:15am
MrKistic said | 11:15am | Report comment
Terrifying the number 10 off the pitch probably isn’t exactly why he’s picked.
11:20am
BennO said | 11:20am | Report comment
So who is picked to get the number 10 out?
11:03am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:03am | Report comment
68.3
Tried for 2, but only a single. Lakmal will have to face Johnson. Chandimal on 30.
8/237
11:05am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:05am | Report comment
That was Warner again, keeping 2 to 1 and the bowler on strike. He’s been phenomenal this match.
11:10am
Hazey the Bear said | 11:10am | Report comment
And yet he’s being “rested” for the first two games of the ODI series! Insanity!
11:01am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:01am | Report comment
68.1
Lakmal out to bat next. Funny – the new boy Pradeep looked a much better batsman in the first dig than Lakmal, who stood and hoicked and barely made contact.
I’d have Pradeep supporting Chandimal, who turns down a single first up from Johnson.
10:56am
kellett_1992 said | 10:56am | Report comment
You beauty! Wicket – Jackson bird
8/235
10:56am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:56am | Report comment
67.2
OUT!
Herath gone now. Good bowling from Bird on that same line outside off. Herath was kind of poking at it, I think he was looking to push it away, then perhaps tried to leave. The angled bat was away from his body, and the ball took the thick inside edge and bounced back onto the stumps. Pace and bounce from Bird, his bounce and high angle are his weapons.
Herath gone for 10, should really have left that ball as he’d left Bird’s others. Not much that Bird bowls is on the stumps.
8/235 – lead of 97.
10:57am
MrKistic said | 10:57am | Report comment
That’ll learn him.
10:52am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:52am | Report comment
66.5
Run-out missed!
Chaotic cricket. Herath clipped to backward square leg, got one, turned blind for 2, Chandimal didn’t want it and it wasn’t there anyway. He’d made it three quarters of the way down the wicket, Herath! Wade had the ball, which had come in from the field, then he tried to lob it to Johnson over Herath’s head to the bowler’s end, but the ball got caught in his glove and lobbed way over Johnson to mid on.
Herath got home, very fortunate. Was that obstructing the field? Clarke had a quick chat with the umpires, but didn’t seem too worried.
10:54am
Hazey the Bear said | 10:54am | Report comment
Wade should have taken the glove off to throw it to Johnson, that much is clear.
There was also some discussion between Clarke and the umpire about obstructing the field – nothing doing, however.
10:56am
kellett_1992 said | 10:56am | Report comment
Matthew Wade’s inexperience is definitely showing. The hundred he scored was nice but his keeping is not at his best. If he, isn’t careful he will play himself out of the team.
10:56am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:56am | Report comment
That was interesting there. At the end of the over, Clarke and Herath had a chat mid-pitch. Nothing ill-tempered, in fact Herath seemed apologetic, and Clarke was quite gracious about it.
10:58am
Hazey the Bear said | 10:58am | Report comment
Yeah Clarke seemed to keep a cool head – Good signs as captain. Can imagine Ponting goin’ off in the same situation.
11:02am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:02am | Report comment
Easier to be gracious when your foot is already on the neck, it must be said. But yes, Clarke captains with a bit of style.
11:20am
Matt F said | 11:20am | Report comment
I imagine his reaction would have been different if we were 200+ behind
10:57am
MrKistic said | 10:57am | Report comment
In the replay Herath clearly looks at Wade with the ball and then runs across the middle of the pitch to get into his line. Cheeky at the least.
Regardless, Wade probably had time to either move or remove the glove.
10:56am
Hazey the Bear said | 10:56am | Report comment
Would have been an interesting discussion had that gone to the third umpire.
Doesn’t matter though! Herath is bowled! Janet makes the breakthrough!
11:02am
Geoff Lemon said | 11:02am | Report comment
On nicknames, I wish I’d thought earlier of calling Herath ‘The Grapes’.
10:52am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:52am | Report comment
66.4
Of course after that praise, Herath has a huge hoick at Johnson’s short ball. Chandimal took a single from the first of the over, so he’s trusting Herath. He needs to calm down.
10:49am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:49am | Report comment
65.6
Bird bowling to Herath, and the little spinner is leaving with great care and precision so far. A good channel from Bird, but so far Herath can not be tempted to play. He’s trying to set himself in support of Chandimal. An impressive competitor, Herath, sadly unsupported by some of his teammates.
7/234
10:43am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:43am | Report comment
An inconsistency with scoring – Herath scored two runs late yesterday, which the TV has given as runs, but online sources have given as leg byes. So on TV, he’s got 9, whereas in other places he has 7. I don’t know which is correct.
10:41am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:41am | Report comment
64.1
FOUR
First of the day. Thick edge from Chandimal, safely enough, to third man from Johnson.
7/233
10:37am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:37am | Report comment
63.4
Referral
Looked ok to me – a not out LBW that might be dangerous from Bird.
10:39am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:39am | Report comment
Gee, it’s hitting leg stump, but JUST, by the barest of margins, is still umpire’s call. 49.8 percent of the ball is hitting the stumps, but not half of it. That looked out to me, but Tony Hill thought it might just be sliding down leg. I guess the reply bears him out.
That was against Chandimal.
7/228
10:46am
Hazey the Bear said | 10:46am | Report comment
It’s a game of millimeters, Geoff. In this instance, micrometers.
10:37am
Hazey the Bear said | 10:37am | Report comment
Mornin’ Geoff! And what a way to start…Appeal by Bird, to be challenged! I suppose it’s worth a go, probably leg side though.
10:38am
Hazey the Bear said | 10:38am | Report comment
Wow. That was close – umpire’s call. Right decision either way. Drama, drama, drama.
10:49am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:49am | Report comment
Morning Haze. Lead out to 95 – even 100 would be a good psychological point for the Lankans.
10:35am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:35am | Report comment
63.1
Jackson Bird opening with the ball from the other end.
10:35am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:35am | Report comment
62.3
First runs, 2 to Chandimal through midwicket.
7/227
10:31am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:31am | Report comment
However, the mornings have been good for batting here. Mitch Johnson is opening the bowling this morning, and Dinesh Chandimal is handling him easily so far.
10:31am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:31am | Report comment
Last rites awaiting in this match, really. Sri Lanka’s lead is 87, they have their keeper batting and three tail-end wickets to fall. If they can push that lead to 120, they might have something to bowl at. 150 would be more likely, 200 a miracle.
10:39am
kellett_1992 said | 10:39am | Report comment
I would like to see Sri Lanka put up a bit more of a fight. Would like to see Australia have to chase a nice total. I hope Huss gets put up to number 3 if the Aussies lose a wicket.
10:50am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:50am | Report comment
Do you think he might open, Kel? He was an opener, of course, in first class, and in his first Tests for Australia.
11:24am
kellett_1992 said | 11:24am | Report comment
I don’t think he will disappoint if provided the chance. It would be really nice to see but I think number 3 will be most likely. Cowan needs the runs. I hope he does open though.
10:29am
Geoff Lemon said | 10:29am | Report comment
Morning all! Play about to start on the morning of the 4th day, let’s get amongst it.
10:36am
kellett_1992 said | 10:36am | Report comment
And a good morning to you Lemon.