Weather could play a part in what is set up for a very exciting fifth and final day’s play in the first Test between Sri Lanka and Australia at Pallekele on Saturday. You can follow the live scores and blog of this match from 2:30pm (AEST).
Every day of this Test match so far has been affected by either rain or bad light or combination of both.
This is why the possibility of a drawn game, which looked as distant as Australia was from Sri Lanka when the first innings of both teams were finished, seems quite a distinct one at the moment.
If rain or bad light were to halt or abandon play, it will take away from what could turn out to be a very gripping Test match. One in which just one score of over 50 has been notched so far and yet, with proper application, a few batsmen have shown the surface can be tackled.
Take, for instance, Australia’s second innings on day four.
David Warner went down the surface but failed to take into account the bounce on the track and was bowled.
Steven Smith, on the other hand, and despite being stumped to a wild slog in the first dig, did not allow the bowling to dictate terms despite there being enough help for the Lankan spinners throughout the time he was at the crease. That said, there was a fine mix of caution and aggression in his innings.
Where that has left Australia is needing a further 185 runs for a win but with three wickets already back in the hut and the track assisting the Lankan spin troika to the hilt, it will be anything but easy.
Even the bookmakers have pegged Sri Lanka as favourites at this stage, weather permitting, but if Australia can string together a partnership of another 50-60 runs between Smith and Adam Voges, the two unbeaten batsmen at the crease, the pressure could well jump back on Sri Lanka.
Not that Sri Lanka do not have the weapons to trigger an Aussie collapse even from such a situation.
Rangana Herath’s experience should be of immense help but more vitally for Australia, batting against debutant chinaman bowler Lakshan Sandakan will be a cause for concern. Even Smith had his problems trying to read his wrong ‘un and his battle against Sandakan will make for an excellent viewing.
Follow the live scores and blog of this match from 2:30pm (AEST).
Josh
Guest
Yes it is Steve Smith's first loss in his 12 tests as Captain. It won't be long before there are cries to get rid of him as Captain. It is a very difficult place for Non-Asian teams to travel.
Josh
Guest
I'm not sure on your logic. Congrats to India beating them in SL. But I was talking about England, SA and Oz batting in the subcontinent and vice versa. I was not talking about Asian teams playing each other
Josh
Guest
Thanks Targa. Sorry I missed that about NZ. That is impressive. I don't see anybody else doing that, so well done to NZ
Tanmoy Kar
Guest
Very poor show from Australia, in batting & bowling as well. Galle the next Test venue would be more spin-friendly, hence besides two spinners, Smith should practice his leg-spin as well to bowl regularly in the remaining Tests.
Vaibhav
Guest
Wow, this is quite a unnecessarily comment. No. 1 Test team in the world and deserving of it. Asia is the most difficult place to tour for any of the Non-Asian teams. Like the other guy said, they've won in SA & are building a good young batting lineup in the Shield as well as through more overseas tours (in Asia too), plus, since the bowling attack also looks quite capable - the comment is the only thing which is grim since the future looks quite good.
Eski
Guest
Nudge Yes they did in 2011 but I'm assuming ajay is not aware where Sri Lanka is which is why there is confusion
Eski
Guest
Australia a went to India in 2015 and got Bancroft 150 with stoinis, head, handscombe getting 50 plus
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Mitch Marsh scored more runs in this Test than all of the Sri Lankan batsmen bar Mendis and Chandimal. In his 4 Tests in Asia, Marsh has 220 runs at 37.
Nudge
Guest
Didn't Australia beat Sri Lanka about 6 years ago in Sri Lanka?
Nudge
Guest
Disagree with that Toy. Australia will stick fat. One change, Sok out, Holland in. Next test all depends on the toss. We win the toss we are a 90 percent chance of winning. We lose the toss we we are a 5 per cent chance of winning. No ifs or buts as far as I'm concerned.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Gee that was good fun. Excellent to see Nev and O'Keefe stick it out like that, I never thought I'd see that even attempted by a current Aussie team. Hamstring injury came in surprisingly useful.
Oscar Dawson
Roar Rookie
Not good enough Ronan, they had this match in their ballpark and they totally botched it. they're confidence will be completely shot after another failure against spin on the subcontinent. For a team that was expected to win this series convincingly, this is a major step backwards. Their batsman were disappointing, the bowlers were disappointing in the second innings when it really counted, showing grit on the last day isn't good enough, especially after they were talked up as being the best team in the world by some http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/07/24/australia-will-thrash-sri-lanka-tests-wont-close/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2016/07/27/forget-england-south-africa-australia-best-test-attack/ A rather bad day for you Ronan, never mind old chap, there's always the Eagles game against Collingw...ooh wait a minute, never mind, they choked again
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
It will be a turner, more so than this wicket. I'd say the Aussies are gone in this series unless the unknown quality of Holland makes him take a lot of wickets for buggerall. I'd expect to see a new no 6 too. Either Reeks or Shaun Marsh. The Aussies usually make changes when they lose and there's no one else that can be on the chopping board apart from Mitch Marsh.
Anindya Dutta
Roar Guru
Hate to remind you mate but India beat this same team in SL a few months ago ?
Targa
Guest
Nah, NZ travel well to the subcontinent as our batsmen play spin better than pace. We've drawn our last 3 series in theSC v Pak, Bang and SL and have a series in India last this year.
Simoc
Guest
Great win for Sri Lanka and test cricket there. I didn't spot many spectators but a win like that may bring them back.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
So that's that from me. It's been a sheer pleasure to cover this one after having done some really one-sided games in recent times. I will hopefully, be back for the second Test between August 4 & 8 before I take a break. Ciao and if you are looking to follow other cricket too, do give me a shout out on Twitter, @suneerchowdhary.
Josh
Guest
Are you spelling everything incorrectly on purpose? It is getting really weird. Maybe your keyboard is playing up. I don't know.
Josh
Guest
and nobody wins coming here so maybe everyone should be ashamed based on your logic
Josh
Guest
No excuses for Australia and Well Done Sri Lanka. I was trying to find out how Australia has done recently when playing cricket in Asia. Not very good. Our last 10 tests including this one have reaped just one win. But it also showed that nobody travels well to the subcontinent and Asia is even worse travelling to SA, Oz and Eng. It seems very hard for both groups to play overseas.