Australia take on Sri Lanka in a second leg match at the Sydney Cricket Ground and we’ll bring you the live scores and commentary of the action starting at 2.20 pm local time.
After a good start to their campaign – where they won two in a row – Australia were stopped in their tracks by a rampaging, ice-cool Indian captain at the Adelaide Oval.
The home team now looks to get things back on track against a side which is winless in the tournament so far.
Sri Lanka went down narrowly in their first two games but looked good to open their account against India. Then Dhoni delivered a similar dose to what he had to Australia and Sri Lanka had to settle for only a tie.
Australia will see personnel changes for this game.
Michael Clarke’s dodgy hamstring pushes him out of reckoning and in a highly debatable move, Ricky Ponting has been anointed the captain for this game. Michael Hussey returns to the side after a game’s break as well and will replace Clarke in the 11.
Also pushed out of the side is Ryan Harris, against his wishes, with Brett Lee making a comeback after toe surgery. Lee has recovered from his foot injury and should make it to the playing 11.
There is one other worry for Australia. Xavier Doherty has some injury issues related to his back and if he does not get fit in time for the game, Jon Holland could make it to the 11. Holland has never played an international before although he did make it to the squad for a tour of India.
Sri Lanka will be happy with the points on the board after the tied game but they desperately need a win to get back into contention for a place in the final. A loss will push them to the corner which from where a turnaround will be difficult.
Batting continues to be an Achilles Heel for Sri Lanka as the top-order searches for runs.
Upul Tharanga has yet to get to a double-digit score in this series, T Dilshan has struggled to convert his starts while Kumar Sangakkara has looked far less fluent than in his prime.
Dinesh Chandimal continues to impress with his growth as a matured middle-order batsman but he needs support from the rest of the batting side as well.
The bowling, contrastingly, has shone well for them with Rangana Herath being a standout from the last game. It was, in fact, a surprise that he did not play earlier in the tournament.
He will be a bowler to look out for and if the Sydney track can afford some spin for the left-armer, the Australian batsmen could have a battle on their hands.
This could be Sri Lanka’s best chance to upset the home team given their own improvements and Australia’s strategy to experiment.
We will bring you the coverage throughout this sixth CB series ODI between Australia and Sri Lanka from the SCG and hope to receive your opinions as the action unfolds.
aussie1st
Roar Pro
Warner would be the one most under pressure. Needs to do something tomorrow. On Harris apparently he wasn't rested he was dropped.
Disco
Roar Guru
Ponting: 11 runs in 4 innings.
Red Kev
Guest
Watson needs some form before he walks back in. Christian is playing reasonably well in the allrounder slot.
jamesb
Guest
good win by sri lanka well done. Australia have alot of work to do
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Thanks Rhys, glad you liked it. It was a shocking loss for Australia alright. There will be some nervous thoughts in that dressing room, with respect to the tournament itself. The way they started, it was going to be a battle between India and Sri Lanka to join them in the final but now any two of the three can get there. Don't know about Watson, despite his return to grade cricket but yes, Clarke was missed as both, the batsman and the leader and he should be back. So should Harris.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
So that is that from me, enjoyed bringing this to you and receiving your comments. I will be back with the rather vital Australia v India game on Sunday.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Australia never looked a part here apart from at the toss. They batted first, Warner struggled, Wade failed to get going and by the time Ponting was dismissed, the side was staring down the barrel. Michael Hussey's was conspicuous for his six before he was dismissed while Peter Forrest failed to convert his start. When the rains came down, Australia had lost six wickets for 88 and looked in deep trouble. David Hussey scored 58 to bail them out but in the end, they managed only 158 runs in their 41. Sri Lanka, in their reply, never took a backward step. They attacked through their new opener, captain Mahela Jayawardene and T Dilshan and by the time the former captain was dismissed, Sri Lanka had surged quite ahead. Kumar Sangakkara came in, looked solid and from there on, Australia were never in the game. Australia picked up a late wicket but by that time the Sri Lankans had not only sealed the game but also the bonus point. Perera, who captured two wickets and got a couple of run-outs, has been declared the man of the match.
Rhys
Guest
Suneer, plenty for the Aussies to digest out of that game. The push will be on to get Clarke and Watson into the lineup asap, and you can bet Harris will be over his 'niggling injuries' very quickly. Thanks for the great coverage again.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Sri Lanka remain on the third position on the table but they have now gotten themselves within touching distance of Australia and India. After all four teams have played four games each, India lead the table with 10 points, Australia are a point behind while Sri Lanka have seven points. More pointedly, the net run-rate, which could come into picture, makes for an interesting read. India have the worst NRR at -0.25, Australia are on -01.2 while Sri Lanka have jumped to +0.323!
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And that is the end of the match...one down the leg-side that gets them the single to win the game with a bonus point. Sri Lanka win by eight wickets with 101 balls remaining. Jayawardene remains unbeaten on 61 while Chandimal is six not-out.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Four! Shot! That's cut away to tie the scores! Jayawardene, opening for the first time this series, has gotten to 61 now. This approximately his average as an ODI opener as well. 2/151 in 24. This has been a walkover.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Four! Chandimal, Chandimal! Hooks Christian away to backward square-leg and gets himself a four. His fearlessness of not being too much about any situation is an endearing virtue, but this time it was lack of respect for the bowler that stood out. 7 needed from 18 overs.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Four! Jayawardene gives himself some room and lofts Christian over the mid-off. Well played in the Batting Powerplay.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Dinesh Chandimal is the new man, who gets a single and is away. Three from that Lee over. 1/136 in 22.
lolly
Guest
Yes, all this talk of being no 1 is a bit misleading. It's the World Cup that matters to everyone else.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Sangakkara's scored 30 from 29. In the meantime, Jayawardene gets a single to achieve a 50. 63rd in this format of the game. 18 needed to win.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
OUT! The batting Powerplay was taken in a bid to finish off the match but off the very first ball, Sangakkara is caught. Tries to hit over the mid-off but he spoons it up high than getting the distance and the ball goes straight to the fielder, Doherty.
lolly
Guest
Very lack lustre Aus team in the past couple of games.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
That was a shot on the up and it wasn't just a punch - it was a full-blown smash! Gets only two for a shot that deserved much more. 1/133 in 21 overs. Need only 19 from 20 to win. 19 from around 11 overs to get the bonus point.
Rhys
Guest
I'd always prefer Australia to win, but I think this result is a good one in terms of the tournament. India and Sri Lanka played off for the World Cup less than a year ago, so Australia was never gone dominate this particular tri-series.