Rain continues to hamper the progress of the first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka, and even though the Baggy Greens have the advantage, it’s far from over. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of Day 3 from the earlier time of 2:15pm (AEST).
The theme of the first two days play has been ordinary weather conditions, limiting it all to just 116 overs out of a possible 180.
There hasn’t been any play after tea on either day, ruining perfectly poised match situations.
Still, the Test has progressed rapidly and we already find ourselves into the third innings, with Sri Lanka trailing by 80 runs and already one wicket down in their second dig.
After they were skittled for 117 in their first innings, with all of Australia’s bowlers involved in the action, it was clear the Aussies needed to post a solid lead, having to bat last on a pitch where any kind of chase could prove disastrous.
Australia ended up with 203, with Adam Voges’ top score of 47 proving that scoring runs can be done, but patience and getting through the early stages on an innings with some luck is required.
In saying that, spinners Rangana Herath and Lakshan Sandakan took four wickets each, and it always seemed they were only moments away from bringing out an almost unplayable delivery.
Sri Lanka needed to make a good start to their second innings, but after just 2.2 overs they will resume on 1-6, with Kusal Perera back in the sheds after he was trapped LBW by Mitchell Starc.
Given the ball is still just about new, and there has been some rain once again in Kandy, Starc and Josh Hazlewood should get a fair run this morning, trying to use any moisture in the wicket before Steve O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon take over to do the bulk of the bowling.
From a Sri Lankan point of view, given the way the pitch is playing and how Herath bowled, every run they score passed Australia’s total can almost be viewed as double.
Any sort of chase on this wicket is going to be a nightmare.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores and coverage of Day 3 from the early time of 2:15pm (AEST), and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/07/24/australia-will-thrash-sri-lanka-tests-wont-close/comment-page-2/ hahaha..."Roar Expert"
Rellum
Roar Guru
And I thought we were goung to thrash them. The roar told me so.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Think it's already going to be quite tough from this point.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks mate.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
C'est la vie, haha.
Brains of a bimbo (Atgm)
Guest
Good work scott!
Johnno
Guest
Chasing say 220 will still be massively tough for aussies. 250 will be a bridge to far.
Scott Pryde
Expert
END OF DAY 3 Well that'll do us. The rain and bad light has brought us to an end for the day, with the umpires pulling up stumps. The match is set up for a fascinating couple of days now, with Sri Lanka in front by 196, still having 4 wickets remaining. Fantastic day for Kusal Mendis. Thanks for joining me throughout the afternoon and evening for The Roar's live coverage. Hopefully you enjoyed it. Connor Bennett will be behind the keyboard tomorrow for Day 4 so be sure to join him from 2:15pm (AEST). It'll be Suneer Chowdhary on Day 5 if we go that far. Bye for now! Have a good evening ahead.
Nudge
Guest
Haha good work sideline, I'm glad you're betting on the lankans then. I feel though if you win you shouldn't accept the money. Looks like you're buggered again.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
Hahaha. I'm of the persuasion, Nudge, that betting against Australia is in Australia's best interest. Such is my luck in life.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The drizzle has stopped in Kandy apparently, and it might be a bit brighter but there are still plenty of clouds around. Still, 40 minutes until the scheduled time for stumps.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Still no updates from Kandy, but it's looking more and more like play will be canned for the day.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Scott Pryde
Expert
No further developments on ground at the moment, but stumps haven't been called so they are hoping for a restart. Still, stumps are just 60 minutes away so very doubtful.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Nathan Lyon picked up his 200th wicket today as well - going to be overshadowed by Mendis' fantastic innings, but nonetheless an amazing achievement for a spinner who didn't look like he was going to last long in the Test arena when he first started.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Doubt they will get to 300 given the tail is now exposed.
Nudge
Guest
I thought you were better than that sideline
Scott Pryde
Expert
Blueprint set, I agree - whether anyone from Australia can follow that I strongly doubt. Going to take a very strong TEAM effort from here I feel.
peter wolf
Guest
No doubt Sri Lanka have a great chance of a huge lead and with 2 days to go & i guess depending on the weather could be up to the 300 mark or more if we don't get early wickets and with a deteriorating wicket and how would you rate our chances? I'll get back to you on that considering we only made 203 on our first innings.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hearing that it is now raining in Kandy and the square has been covered.