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.
Jason
Guest
Good comment about Clarke. His bating looked quite disinterested in this match and in fact series. Perhaps he doesn't feel challenged enough?
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Thanks Geoff. It has been a great laugh.
Brendon
Guest
Clarky flights the ball as well, so I'm not sure how that works, he should bowl himself a lot more I think.
Matt F
Roar Guru
It's a stupid rule. One of many sadly
MrKistic
Roar Rookie
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.
MrKistic
Roar Rookie
Good commentary work Mr Lemon. Cheers.
Brendon
Guest
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.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Ah yes. Wasn't paying attention, sorry.
MrKistic
Roar Rookie
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.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Do they use the light or the heavy roller?
MrKistic
Roar Rookie
I reckon Dave Warner would be fairly spewing about now.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Bliss.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Agreed.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Is that right? Gee, I can't see him being that many Tests from a holiday...
Geoff Lemon
Expert
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.
eagleJack
Guest
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.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Report to follow shortly...
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
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.
Hazey the Bear
Roar Rookie
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.
jamesb
Guest
thanks for the memories Michael Hussey! you will be missed