The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Sri Lanka vs Australia highlights: International Cricket third Test - Day 5 live scores, updates

17th August, 2016
Start: 2:30pm (AEST)
Venue: Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
TV: Live, Fox Sports 4
Betting: Sri Lanka $2.10, Australia $7.50, draw $2.10
First Test: Sri Lanka won by 106 runs
Second Test: Sri Lanka won by 229 runs

Sri Lanka (squad)
Angelo Mathews (c), Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Asitha Fernando, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Rangana Herath, Dimuth Karunaratne, Suranga Lakmal, Kusal Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Kusal Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Roshen Silva, Kaushal Silva

Australia (squad)
Steven Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Jackson Bird, Joe Burns, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Peter Nevill (wk), Mitchell Starc, Adam Voges
Are Sri Lanka on the up again? (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
Expert
17th August, 2016
117
7109 Reads

Sri Lanka appear to be the only team that can win the third Test as it enters its final day, but Australia will be desperate to avoid a series whitewash and come out with at least a draw. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 2:30pm (AEST).

Sri Lanka have made a fantastic recovery throughout the match – reduced to 5-26 on Day 1, they reached 355 before holding Australia to just a 24-run first innings lead.

Kaushal Silva then scored a big century in the second innings to put Sri Lanka in control of the match, giving them a very sizeable target to defend.

They reached the end of Day 4 on 8-312, with Silva scoring 115. Solid back-up efforts from Dinesh Chandimal (43) and Dhananjay De Silva (44 not out), plus a few other useful contributions, ensured another frustrating day for the tourists.

Australia used eight different bowlers yesterday, but their spinners again struggled to contain Sri Lanka, despite taking six of the eight wickets between them.

Rangana Herath took six wickets in Australia’s first innings and will be the key again today, as the home side look like they are bowling on a completely different wicket to the Aussies.

With De Silva still at the crease and a lead of 288, the question now is whether Sri Lanka will continue batting on into Day 5. They have indicated they will to the media, but you would almost think they have enough of a lead now.

Given how their spinners have been bowling and that we could lose time to a thunderstorm in the afternoon, Sri Lanka will want to get this match wrapped up as quickly as possible.

Advertisement

Unless David Warner and Steve Smith go ballistic, there is no realistic chance of Australia chasing down the current lead, so the declaration should be straight away.

From there, it is the mental battle for Australia of trying to save a series sweep against the likes of Herath and Dilruwan Perera, who have been in awesome form.

Prediction
Can Australia hold on for a draw? If Sri Lanka don’t declare straight away then probably.

The question will be just how strong is their resolve? The Aussies have been beaten and beaten well in this series, so on the final day, with no chance of winning, it will be a true test.

If Sri Lanka do make the overnight declaration though, the likes of Herath and Perera will probably rip Australia to shreds.

Be sure to join The Roar for live updates of the final day’s play from 2:30pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add your own comments below.

Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde

Advertisement
close