Australia took the steering wheel at the end of the second day of the Melbourne Test match against Sri Lanka as they took a 284-run lead in the first innings.
We’ll bring you the live scores of the action throughout this game, with the third day starting at 10.30am AEDT (Dec 28th).
Sri Lanka were left to do the chasing after their batsmen played some ridiculous shots on the first day. Rubbing salts into their open wounds was a below-par fielding effort.
A cautious Australian side resumed from 3/150 in the second day and ended at 8/440 with Michael Clarke carving out a carefully-constructed century to become the highest-scoring Aussie in a calendar year.
He had valuable support from overnight unbeaten Shane Watson, who should have gone on to score his hundred as well – out hooking for 83.
Mitchell Johnson provided strong support from the tail, and was still at the crease when the stumps were drawn. He’ll be looking for his second century today.
Australia did not lose a single wicket in the first session of the second day with both the overnight batsmen going into lunch having crossed their respective fifties.
Clarke took off from there and completed his third century this summer after lunch before becoming the first casualty of the day.
Watson began to show aggressive intent after lunch but he perished in a manner not too different from his former opening partner, Dave Warner; pulling one straight to deep square-leg.
After Matthew Wade hooked Dhammika Prasad to fine-leg for one, there were useful contributions from Michael Hussey and Peter Siddle, both of who helped Johnson get to his half-century. Johnson will resume on 73, looking for his second Test match ton.
The Sri Lankan bowlers, specifically Rangana Herath, fought hard, but successes were few and far between.
Herath was unfortunate not to have anything to show for his 39-over marathon. The little spinner was worked hard and could have easily had three wickets or more had his wicketkeeper and fielders been on song.
Later he grabbed what was easily one of the best catches you would see at long-on to send back Hussey.
With a lead of more than 300 staring at the Sri Lankan faces, it will need them to bat out of their skins to keep the Aussies at bay and from running away with an early 2-0 series win.
We will bring you the live coverage throughout the game from the MCG and hope to receive your opinions as the action unfolds.
Matt
Guest
Exactly, Taylor annoys me to no end. Bird had 4-5 edges run away off Mathews for 4. He was extremely unlucky not to get the wicket. 10 mins later Taylor is going on about how expensive he's been. Wtf. It was bad luck expensive, not bad bowling expensive.
Matt F
Roar Guru
I'm pretty sure that Russell Arnold lives in Sydney. Given the way SL played in this match these ex-players would probably be a chance even without all the injuries!
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Understatement to say that Sri Lanka have disappointed in this game. Coming off such a superb, fighting performance in the first game, a lot was expected out of them, but the Aussie bowlers were all over them like a rash on the first day. Once bowled out for 156, there wasn't much hope for the tourists but Dave Warner ensured the Lankan morale was totally shattered by the scintillating half-century he scored on the first morning. There were three Australian wickets that fell in succession that would have given the Sri Lankans hope but Michael Clarke hit his customary century and Shane Watson nearly got his to burst the balloon. 304 behind, Sri Lanka were 1/2 even before the spectators had even made their way back to their seats after the 10-minute interval and they never recovered from it. Sangakkara and Mathews raised hopes of a fightback but the former was hit on his fingers by Johnson and the rest of the side caved in. That is it then, a 2-0 win for Australia and the Sydney game will be an inconsequential in terms of the series. Australia might want to rotate them their bowlers around again while Sri Lanka will be hunting for suitable replacements for their injured trio.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Gone, caught, game, set and match! It was short of length and Eranga had no clue to how to play it down, ends up fending it to short-leg and is easily caught by Cowan. End of the Sri Lankan innings with three batsmen not coming back to bat for the Lankans, bowled out for 103. Innings and 201 run win for the side.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Sri Lanka have a couple of former cricketers in Melbourne...given the performance by some of them this game, Asanka Gurusinha and Ravi Ratnayeke may not fare worse!
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Last man Shaminda Eranga is in now. Batting at nine, he plays out the last three deliveries from Lyon.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
...and then he was out! Prasad tries to repeat the dose by slogging him over long-on yet again but he is beaten by the flight and can only scoop it to the cover fielder, who settles under it and is easily caught. Six down...which is effectively nine down. 102 on the board.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Spanked for a six and another six! Goes down the track does Prasad and lofts Lyon over long-on for a six! And then he goes the wicket again, is beaten for pace but goes through with the shot, over long-off for a second six in a row!
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Anything short and Herath's going for a quick lap shot...not getting too many off the middle but six off the Siddle over. 5/90
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Change in bowling as Peter Siddle will now look to
break some more fingers.pick up the last couple of them!Red Kev
Guest
Siddle got rested in Perth, surely he can't need another rest. Keep the attack as is, Johnson-Bird has looked a very promising new ball partnership.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
They are obviously going to try and take Lyon on and for now both batsmen have attempted one aggressive shot...not got too many runs for it and fortunately for them, it hasn't gone to hand. 5/84
Matt F
Roar Guru
It wouldn't surprise me if they rested Siddle given the series will be over. They also seem to have promised Starc that he will play and you can't drop the other two after their performances in this match so that may be the easy option for the selectors. Though Siddle doesn't play ODI's or T20's for Australia so he could probably rest during that period (still playing Shield matches of course.) The real question is will Sri Lanka have 11 players!
Red Kev
Guest
No doubt. His second innings figures are a bit misleading, he has had.a dropped catch and two edged boundaries through the slips. Bird just booked his ticket for the Ashes I would say (as at least a squad member). Certainly better than Hilfenhaus.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Nathan Lyon called up now...he will look to pick up a couple here.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Herath's timing them well here, the couple that he has managed to get bat on. 5/78
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Personally I don't think they should change things around but you never know, what with the series won and Siddle probably needing rest in the eyes of the selectors.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Sanga's gone to the hospital for scans. And Prasanna J and Welegedara, according to Channel Nine, may not bat.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Snorter first up to Herath! It is a shortone from round the stumps and rears up disconcertingly for the new man... ...he plays it well in the end but looked uncomfortable. Herath loves playing his strokes and if given an opportunity, he will look to go after them. If.
Jayden
Guest
So... The question is who.should play in Sydney? I think keep it as it is Johnson Bird Siddle Lyon Johnsons been lethal today, well worth selecting