Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka begins with the first Test at Pallekele from Tuesday as the tourists look to put the inexperienced hosts to sword and establish an early lead. You can follow the live scores and blog of this match from 10am local time (2:30pm AEST).
Sri Lanka are undergoing a tough time across formats since their stalwarts Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara retired. They were pulverised in England and would have gone down 3-0 had it not been for the rain that saved them in the final Test on their recent tour.
And that Test series loss was followed by a 3-0 defeat in the ODIs before Sri Lanka went down to England in a one-off T20I.
New Zealand had earlier crushed them 2-0 in a Test series too and that leaves the Sri Lankans to try and overturn their shattered morale, poor form against Australia and an inexperienced side to try and salvage something out of this series.
Salvage might not be the most appropriate word to use even before the start of the first Test but it’s also an indicator of how heavily the odds are stacked against the home team.
And if their performances on the field haven’t been the greatest in recent times, a row about Mutthiah Muralitharan’s decision to take up a spin bowling coaching role with Australia seems to have sparked a frenzy within the Sri Lankan cricket board.
Tempers have been frayed between Muralitharan and the board, accusations have flown around and while it’s tough to say if it’s affected Sri Lanka’s preparations, it sure has added some spark to the start of the series.
From the Australian stand-point, it’s an important series in many ways.
One, they are the top-ranked Test side going up against an inexperienced, but tricky opposition in their own backyard.
Secondly, their record against Sri Lanka has been impeccable since 1999. Of the 13 Tests played between the two sides, Australia are yet to lose any and drawn just three.
Even more interestingly, Australia have an important series coming up against India early next year and their performance against Sri Lanka could provide them with a template on how to tackle the Indians in what could be a difficult match-up.
Steven Smith has already named his playing XI, which has two spinners included in the line-up. Steve O’Keefe, who dished out an excellent showing in their tour game last week, will partner Nathan Lyon while Mitchel Starc and Josh Hazlewood will take care of the fast bowling responsibilities. Mitchell Marsh could bowl first change.
Australia will start favourites but will they live up to the expectations or will the hosts spring up a surprise in conditions that should suit them? You can follow the live scores and blog of this Sri Lanka vs Australia first Test from 10am local on Tuesday (2:30pm AEST).
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
So, that's that then. The day's play has been called off because of the rains and we will have an early resumption tomorrow, weather and light permitting. Australia will take this position with both hands, having reached 2/66 in reply to Sri Lanka's 117 and will be aiming to get to at least 250, if not 300 from here on. Sri Lanka will need to dislodge Smith early tomorrow and then hope they can restrict the Aussie lead to as low as possible. That's it from me. Won't be around tomorrow - I return back on day five - but the live blog will continue. In the meantime, you can follow me on Twitter @suneerchowdhary for any chat related to cricket. Ciao.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
Not yet by any means.
Johnno
Guest
It's silly how they keep playing tests at Kandy, as there is so much rain there, games always get washed out. Why do SL persist in hosing test matches there? I don't know, and broadcasters should say enough is enough, they wouldn't be happy.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Continues to rain in Pallekele, which means we are getting to a stage where the umpires will be left with no option to call it stumps. Mind you, there's some time to go for that. And speaking of the forecast, here's how it looked. Not good news.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Nothing else to update for now except the fact it's still raining. And the weather forecast for all days has some rain in it, so expect such delays to be a norm in this Test rather than an exception.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Hello, back for the third session but not good news from Pallekele. It's started raining & that means we are looking at bit of a hiatus from play. Match looked to be interestingly poised there.
Mattw
Guest
Well, bound to jinx us here, but this has been a good recovery by the Aussies, burns and Warner both went out looking very dodgy. Khawaja also looked very iffy early on but has settle beautifully, smith however has looked good all the way through, tempted to say a class above at least against the spin.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And a maiden for Dilruwan to signal the end of the session. Australia go into the tea-break at 2/66, and will be quite satisfied despite those two quick wickets. Sri Lanka haven't got as much bite off the pitch as the Aussie spinners did but the ball get older, the pitch might get rougher and things might start to happen in the third session. Be back in 15 for it.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Two from the Mathews over. 2/66 in 19.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Dilruwan Perera has replaced Lakshan and continued to leak a few runs. Six of them in fact, including a four down the leg-side for Smith. Easy going for Australia. 2/64 in 18.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
This has been an easy-going stand, not taken too many risks after the initial settling in period and notched up their 50-run stand.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Maiden from Mathews. He had bowled five dots last over before conceding a four but this time sees it through to a maiden. 2/58 in 17.
Brains of a bimbo (Atgm)
Guest
Nope possibly martyn
Johnno
Guest
Has Steve Smith, now overtaken Mike Hussey on the batting food chain in test-cricket format anyway.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And now a four. Full-toss and Smith's taken it on well, by jumping down the surface and clipping it through the leg-side for a four. 2/56 in the 16th
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Poor delivery from Lakshan, spun down the leg-side and Smith has paddled it hard and down to fine-leg for a couple. Brings up the Aussie 50. 2/51 in the 16th
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Shot, four! Drifted on to the pads alright but that's well-clipped by Khawaja, stylishly done and it's run away through square-leg. Four from that Mathews over. 2/51 in 15.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Khawaja goes for a pull and misses! Slightly shorter from Mathews but was wide and probably angling away too and that helps it beat the outside edge. 2/47 in the 15th
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Double-change in the bowling. Dilruwan is off and Angelo Mathews has decided to have a ball. Probably looking to plug one end up.
Brains of a bimbo (Atgm)
Guest
Khwaja not playing the chinaman well here.lbw candidate big tym