Sri Lanka are the new Pakistan
That is really the best way to describe this performance. They showed both their extreme characters today, both with bat and ball. They were clubbed around by Finch & co. at the start but then pulled things back brilliantly to restrict Australia to a 350-minus score.
With the bat, Karunaratne and Kusal Perera started beautifully, putting on 115 for the opening wicket before Starc removed the latter. Thirimanne fell quickly and Karunaratne then upper cut one straight to gully three short of a maiden ton, which effectively started a procession of wickets. Mathews, Thisara Perera, Siriwardana all came in and walked out even quicker. The tail was polished off by Starc, who ended up with four wickets.
Australia have been very clinical the past two games, and Sri Lanka are most certainly out of the tournament here. Not that anything more was expected out of them anyway. It wasa great pleasure to bring you updates today, tomorrow it is the blockbuster game between India and Pakistan. Do join us then. Till then, goodbye and goodnight!
45.1 Cummins to de Silva, DOT, walks across the stumps, goes for the hook, does not connect
45.2 Cummins to de Silva, DOT, length ball on off, defended. Go full and straight, Pat, come on!!
45.3 Cummins to de Silva, DOT, goes length again, punches it off the back foot
45.4 Cummins to de Silva, 1 run, a half hearted pull, rolls to mid wicket
45.5 Cummins to Pradeep, OUT, finally! Makes room, drives, the outside edge is found and taken too
Pradeep c Carey b Cummins 0(7)
44.1 Richardson to de Silva, DOT, low full toss, played to mid on
44.2 Richardson to de Silva, WIDE, past the tramline
44.2 Richardson to de Silva, DOT.
44.3 Richardson to de Silva, DOT, goes for the scoop Misbah-esque in the 2007 World T20 final, umpires go up for a fair catch, and it has bounced in front of Behrendorff at short fine. Not Out!
44.4 Richardson to de Silva, FOUR, goes for another scoop, it is outside off so he reverse scoops it over fine leg
44.5 Richardson to de Silva, 1 run, what the hell is happening? Dhananjaya goes for the slog, it goes high up and lands safely at mid on. Why is there no mid on, Finchy??
44.6 Richardson to Pradeep, DOT.
Starc finished his quota with that last over, so no second fifer this tourney. Cummins is back
43.1 Cummins to de Silva, DOT, defended
43.2 Cummins to de Silva, WIDE, short and deemed too high
43.2 Cummins to de Silva, DOT, backs away, Pat follows him, he can only defend in the end
43.3 Cummins to de Silva, DOT, defends off the back foot. Dhananjaya wants me to miss the last metro home. Ok then!
43.4 Cummins to de Silva, 1 run, short and pulled to deep square leg
43.5 Cummins to Pradeep, DOT, makes room, wants to swing, does not connect
43.6 Cummins to Pradeep, DOT.
42.1 Starc to de Silva, DOT, short and played along the ground to fine leg
42.2 Starc to de Silva, DOT, full and outside off, driven well, but to mid off
42.3 Starc to de Silva, DOT, defends off the front foot. Only delaying the inevitable
42.4 Starc to de Silva, DOT, short and pulled to deep mid wicket
42.5 Starc to de Silva, 1 run, outside edge goes straight to third man. He runs finally
42.6 Starc to Pradeep, DOT, he works it away to third man
41.1 Richardson to Malinga, DOT, follows him as he makes room, inside edge onto pad, and he thinks better of the run
41.2 Richardson to Malinga, DOT, backs away, the slower ball deceives him, goes over his attempted cut
41.3 Richardson to Malinga, DOT, pushed to short cover
41.4 Richardson to Malinga, OUT, that is a half volley played straight to cover. Lasith was backing away every ball, did not help him in the end
Malinga c Khawaja b Richardson 1(5)
Nuwan Pradeep is the last man in. How many balls can he last?
41.5 Richardson to Pradeep, DOT, lasts this one. Yorker just about jammed out with an angled bat
41.6 Richardson to Pradeep, DOT.
Its Lasith Malinga in at no.10. Into the final powerplay we go
40.1 Starc to Malinga, 1 run, full and straight, Lasith backed away and somehow gets it to deep extra cover
40.2 Starc to de Silva, DOT.
40.3 Starc to de Silva, DOT, length ball, Dhananjaya defends with a straight bat
40.4 Starc to de Silva, DOT, yorked him there, he lifts one leg up and digs it out awkwardly
40.5 Starc to de Silva, DOT, attempted yorker gone wrong, full toss pushed to sweeper cover. They don't run
40.6 Starc to de Silva, DOT.
Richardson is back
39.1 Richardson to Udana, FOUR, wide outside off, slashed with full power, flies over backward point for four
39.2 Richardson to Udana, DOT, length ball defended to point
39.3 Richardson to Udana, DOT, short ball and Isuru ducks under it
39.4 Richardson to Udana, DOT, driven on the front foot to short cover
39.5 Richardson to Udana, WIDE, sent down leg
39.5 Richardson to Udana, 2 runs, outside edge found, runs away to third man where Behrendorff dives to save two
39.6 Richardson to Udana, OUT, another one. Short ball, Isuru looks to slog it away, only gets the top edge, and a back pedalling mid off takes it easily over his head
Udana c Finch b Richardson 8(8)
Dhananjaya de Silva strides out to the middle, quite late I must say
38.1 Starc to Mendis, OUT, gone again! Falling like nine pins now. Mendis goes for the hoick across the line to this full one outside off, the outside edge travels through to the keeper. Starc on a hat-trick!
Mendis c Carey b Starc 30(37)
Isuru Udana will be the one to face the danger ball
38.2 Starc to Udana, 1 run, survives! Yorker outside off, played with an open face to deep point
38.3 Starc to de Silva, 1 run, low full toss tailing away, driven to deep cover point
38.4 Starc to Udana, 1run, full and coming in, the thick outside edge runs towards third man, who puts in the dive to stop it. Earns the applause from Starc
38.5 Starc to de Silva, DOT, goes length, Dhananjaya defends
38.6 Starc to de Silva, FOUR, nicely driven past mid off with a straight bat for a boundary
Thisara Perera is the new man in
36.3 Starc to T Perera, SIX, what a start! Short ball, he pulls and gets it way over the fine leg fence
36.4 Starc to T Perera, 1 run, to deep square leg
36.5 Starc to Mendis, 1 run, looks to defend the length ball, inside edge rolls past the stumps and Thisara calls him through
36.6 Starc to T Perera, OUT, another one down! Poor cricket from Thisara, he had the boundary in the over, Starc is breathing fire, why would you do that? Full ball, he drove aerially, goes into the hands of mid on
T Perera c Warner b Starc 7(3)
Milinda Siriwardana walks out to the middle
36.1 Starc to Siriwardana, WIDE, poor start down leg
36.1 Starc to Siriwardana, DOT, length ball on the stumps, Milinda defends down the ground
36.2 Starc to Siriwardana, OUT, too good! Starc goes full and straight again, Milinda is beaten all ends up, it clatters into the middle stump
Siriwardana b Starc 3(4)
Cummins is back too
35.1 Cummins to Mendis, DOT, back of a length outside off, Kusal hops up a little to defend
35.2 Cummins to Mendis, 1 run, another back of a length ball, tucked towards short fine
35.3 Cummins to Mathews, DOT, defended towards short cover
35.4 Cummins to Mathews, OUT, got him! Strangled down leg and Mathews horror WC continues. It is short down leg, goes for the hook, it takes the glove enroute to the keeper and it is such a poor dismissal
Mathews c Carey b Cummins 9(11)
Starc is back.
34.1 Starc to Mendis, DOT, length on middle stump, defended to short mid wicket
34.2 Starc to Mendis, SIX, wow, where did that come from? Overpitched outside off, Kusal lifts this beautifully straight down the ground, goes all the way too
34.3 Starc to Mendis, 1 run, that is 200 for Sri Lanka! Can they keep their heads to pull this off?
34.4 Starc to Mathews, DOT, back of a length, Angelo sways away from its line
34.5 Starc to Mathews, DOT, jumps up to play this to point, who stops it with a dive. It's Maxi there!
34.6 Starc to Mathews, FOUR, short and Mathews waited a bit before pulling it to backward square leg. Good shot!
Angelo Mathews in at no.5. Can he shake off his horrid form so far?
33.1 Maxwell to Mendis, 1 run, round the wicket, turned away to square leg
33.2 Maxwell to Mathews, 1 run, turned away again to deep mid wicket
33.3 Maxwell to Mendis, DOT, looks to cut, goes straight to point
33.4 Maxwell to Mendis, DOT, poor ball down leg, should have been put away
33.5 Maxwell to Mendis, DOT, played back to Maxwell
33.6 Maxwell to Mendis, 1 run.
Maxwell finishes an excellent spell with figures of 10-0-46-0
32.1 Richardson to Karunaratne, OUT, does not get his hundred! What have you done Dimuth? He has cut and punched brilliantly all day, this one he cuts aerially, it goes straight to gully, who was stationed exactly for that
Karunaratne c Maxwell b Richardson 97(108)
31.1 Maxwell to Mendis, DOT, played off the front foot to short mid wicket
31.2 Maxwell to Mendis, 1 run, finally gets it long on. Dimuth on 95 now!
31.3 Maxwell to Karunaratne, DOT, flicked to square leg
31.4 Maxwell to Karunaratne, DOT, glanced to short fine
31.5 Maxwell to Karunaratne, 1 run, flicked on one leg to wide long on
31.6 Maxwell to Mendis, SIX, down the track, gets to the pitch and lifts it over long off. Breaks the shackles!
30.1 Richardson to Karunaratne, DOT, prods forward and defends towards cover point
30.2 Richardson to Karunaratne, 1 run, full outside off, driven to sweeper cover
30.3 Richardson to Mendis, DOT, full, yorker length almost, driven straight back to Kane
30.4 Richardson to Mendis, DOT, dabbed but gully is close by
30.5 Richardson to Mendis, DOT, played to mid wicket
30.6 Richardson to Mendis, 1 run.
Maxwell is back.
29.1 Maxwell to Karunaratne, DOT, nudged to square leg
29.2 Maxwell to Karunaratne, 1 run, one step down the track and flicked to deep mid wicket
29.3 Maxwell to Mendis, DOT, late cut to backward point]
29.4 Maxwell to Mendis, 1 run, worked past mid wicket
29.5 Maxwell to Karunaratne, DOT, late cut to point
29.6 Maxwell to Karunaratne, 1 run.
Some changes in equipment for Kusal Mendis. Richardson is back
28.1 Richardson to Karunaratne, DOT, driven to mid on
28.2 Richardson to Karunaratne, 2 runs, flicked towards fine leg. Moves into the nineties! Dimuth is closing the bat face very early now, may get a leading edge if he continues
28.3 Richardson to Karunaratne, DOT.
28.4 Richardson to Karunaratne, 1 run, gets it off an angled bat to third man
28.5 Richardson to Mendis, 1 run, simple run down to third man
28.6 Richardson to Karunaratne, 1 run.
27.1 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, 2 runs, down the track and flicked away to deep square leg
27.2 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, DOT, driven to mid on
27.3 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, DOT, goes for a wild slog across the line, misses it by a long way
27.4 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, 1 run, arches back and dabs this to third man
27.5 Behrendorff to Mendis, 1 run, another tuck to fine leg off his pads
27.6 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, 1 run.
26.1 Cummins to Mendis, 1 run, tucked away to fine leg
26.2 Cummins to Karunaratne, 1 run, round the wicket he comes, Dimuth steers this through the gap between backward point and gully
26.3 Cummins to Mendis, 1 run, poor ball down leg, Kusal merely gets it away to fine leg. Should have been put away
26.4 Cummins to Karunaratne, DOT, full round the wicket, driven off the bottom half to mid off
26.5 Cummins to Karunaratne, 1 run, upper cut away to third man. Was in the air for a bit
26.6 Cummins to Mendis, DOT.
25.1 Behrendorff to Mendis, DOT, defended down the ground
25.2 Behrendorff to Mendis, 1 run, played to mid on
25.3 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, 1 run, to third man
25.4 Behrendorff to Mendis, 1 run, short and he executes a well controlled pull to deep square leg
25.5 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, DOT, off the toe end to mid wicket. Well stopped
25.6 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, DOT.
Kusal Mendis in at no.4. Cummins is back
24.1 Cummins to Mendis, DOT, length ball defended down the ground
24.2 Cummins to Mendis, DOT, back of a length outside off, defends towards point
24.3 Cummins to Mendis, DOT, fuller on off, pushed to mid on
24.4 Cummins to Mendis, WIDE, wrong line, sent down leg
24.4 Cummins to Mendis, DOT, length ball on off, Kusal defends again. He has a good technique, should look to bat long
24.5 Cummins to Mendis, 1 run, easily dabbed down to third man
24.6 Cummins to Karunaratne, DOT.
23.1 Behrendorff to Thirimanne, 2 runs, punched well on the front foot to sweeper cover, got a bit close at the bowler'e end there
23.2 Behrendorff to Thirimanne, 1 leg byes, extra bounce, surprised Lahiru, goes off his forearm to short third man, the throw misses the stumps or would' ve been a goner!
Some attention from the physio for Thirimanne after that blow
23.3 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, 1 run, worked away to deep square leg
23.4 Behrendorff to Thirimanne, FOUR, first boundary finally! Short and wide, sqaure cut in front of point, it runs away to the boundary
23.5 Behrendorff to Thirimanne, OUT, gone! Cramped him for room, Lahiru went for the punch, not the line to do it, caught the outside edge through to the keeper
Thirimanne c Carey b Behrendorff 16(26)
22.1 Maxwell to Karunaratne, DOT, tries to reverse sweep, does not come off
22.2 Maxwell to Karunaratne, DOT, chipped a little back to the bowler
22.3 Maxwell to Karunaratne, 1 run, driven to long off
22.4 Maxwell to Thirimanne, 1 run, hit aerially to deep mid wicket. Goes on the bounce
22.5 Maxwell to Karunaratne, 1 run, punched off the back foot to long on
22.6 Maxwell to Thirimanne, 1 run.
Leading from the front!
20.1 Maxwell to Karunaratne, DOT, looks to glance, off his pads towards backward square leg
20.2 Maxwell to Karunaratne, 1 run, played down to long on
20.3 Maxwell to Thirimanne, 1 run, drifting on leg, glanced to fine leg
20.4 Maxwell to Karunaratne, 1 run, another late cut attempt, there was a mix-up but the throw went to the wrong end
20.5 Maxwell to Thirimanne, 1 run, down the track, tucked to deep backward square leg
20.6 Maxwell to Karunaratne, DOT.
Behrendorff is back.
19.1 Behrendorff to Thirimanne, DOT, length ball, defended to mid wicket
19.2 Behrendorff to Thirimanne, 1 run, dabbed down towards third man
19.3 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, 2 runs, good running! Turned away to deep backward square leg, he hared back for two
19.4 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, 1 run, uppish cut to third man
19.5 Behrendorff to Thirimanne, DOT, full, driven well but straight to short extra cover
19.6 Behrendorff to Thirimanne, DOT.
18.1 Maxwell to Karunaratne, 1 run, down the track and driven wide of long on
18.2 Maxwell to Thirimanne, 1 run, to sweeper cover
18.3 Maxwell to Karunaratne, DOT, driven back to the bowler
18.4 Maxwell to Karunaratne, 1 run, down the track again, hit to mid wicket
18.5 Maxwell to Thirimanne, 1 run, nudged off the front foot to deep mid wicket
18.6 Maxwell to Karunaratne, FOUR, beautiful! Late cut past backward point and gully, he found the gap artistically there!
We are back after the drinks break. Starc to continue
17.1 Starc to Karunaratne, DOT, defended on the leg side
17.2 Starc to Karunaratne, DOT, length on off, defended towards point
17.3 Starc to Karunaratne, 1 run, off the inside half, they run through for the quick single, direct hit may have got him
17.4 Starc to Thirimanne, DOT, defended to point
17.5 Starc to Thirimanne, DOT, good length ball on off, Thirimanne defends on the front foot down the ground
17.6 Starc to Thirimanne, DOT.
Lahiru Thirimanne in at no.3
16.1 Maxwell to Thirimanne, 1 run, full, turned to short fine
16.2 Maxwell to Karunaratne, 1 run, short, helped to long leg
16.3 Maxwell to Thirimanne, DOT, flighted drifter on off, defended on the front foot
16.4 Maxwell to Thirimanne, DOT, driven to extra cover
16.5 Maxwell to Thirimanne, DOT, defended again
16.6 Maxwell to Thirimanne, DOT.
15.1 Starc to Karunaratne, 2runs, punched over point
15.2 Starc to Karunaratne, 1 run, yorker tailing in, nonchalantly flicked to deep square leg
15.3 Starc to K Perera, OUT, bowled him! He was brought back for this reason and he provides the breakthrough they desperately needed. Goes full and straight, it is too fast for Kusal's attempted slog
K Perera b Starc 52(36)
14.1 Maxwell to K Perera, 1 run, hit to long off
14.2 Maxwell to Karunaratne, DOT, drives off the inside half back to the bowler
14.3 Maxwell to Karunaratne, DOT, turned to short fine after coming down
14.4 Maxwell to Karunaratne, 3 runs, whipped past mid on with timing, deep mid wicket does well to save one
14.5 Maxwell to K Perera, 1 run, to square leg
14.6 Maxwell to Karunaratne, 1 run.
12.1 Maxwell to K Perera, 1 run, cut in front of point for a single
12.2 Maxwell to Karunaratne, DOT, big appeal and nothing from the ump. He was down the pitch, struck his back pad, may have been close that but the Aussies have no DRS!
12.3 Maxwell to Karunaratne, DOT.
12.4 Maxwell to Karunaratne, 1 run, to deep mid wicket
12.5 Maxwell to K Perera, 1 run, swept towards short fine
12.6 Maxwell to Karunaratne, 1 run.
11.1 Richardson to K Perera, 2 runs, slashed away to deep backward point for a couple
11.2 Richardson to K Perera, 1 run, to backward square leg
11.3 Richardson to Karunaratne, DOT, good surprise bumper, Dimuth pulls out of the pull shot
11.4 Richardson to Karunaratne, DOT, punched on the hop to point
11.5 Richardson to Karunaratne, FOUR, a short arm jab! Short and Dimuth pulls off the front foot, it went right through mid wicket's hands. That is 50 for the skipper
11.6 Richardson to Karunaratne, DOT.
End of first powerplay and Sri Lanka have actually put up the highest powerplay score this WC. Glenn Maxwell into the attack
10.1 Maxwell to K Perera, DOT, flighted one outside off, driven to short cover
10.2 Maxwell to K Perera, DOT, tries to drive to mid on, mistimes it
10.3 Maxwell to K Perera, 1 run, on leg stump, turned away to square leg
10.4 Maxwell to Karunaratne, WIDE, drifting down leg
10.4 Maxwell to Karunaratne, DOT, a good front foot defence
10.5 Maxwell to Karunaratne, DOT, good ball, misses the attempted flick
10.6 Maxwell to Karunaratne, 2 runs.
9.1 Richardson to Karunaratne, 1 run, back of a length on his body, flicked away to deep square leg
9.2 Richardson to K Perera, 2 runs, that's a short arm pull off the short ball, gets it past mid on
9.3 Richardson to K Perera, FOUR, another one! It is pulled with better power this time, aerially over mid on towards deep mid wicket. He is looking in good nick!
Change of bats for Kusal Perera
9.4 Richardson to K Perera, DOT, good comeback. Length on off, Kusal tries to steer and Finch goes for the DRS! Carey and Richardson thought he hit, let's see. There is nothing on ultra edge, so Australia lose their review
9.5 Richardson to K Perera, 1 run, short and wide, slashed away powerfully to sweeper cover
9.6 Richardson to Karunaratne, DOT.
8.1 Behrendorff to K Perera, SIX, that is class! Full outside off, Kusal stands still and slashes it over sweeper cover
8.2 Behrendorff to K Perera, 2 runs, tucked to deep mid wicket
8.3 Behrendorff to K Perera, 5 runs, he defends to mid on and sets off, the overthrows run away for four
8.4 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, 1 run, full ball on leg, flicked to deep square leg
8.5 Behrendorff to K Perera, DOT, defended to mid on
8.6 Behrendorff to K Perera, FOUR, poor ball down leg, glanced away past short fine
Another change and it is Kane Richardson
7.1 Richardson to Karunaratne, DOT, Dimuth thought he was on his warm up run, surprised him as he played at it. No dead ball as he played at it
7.2 Richardsonto Karunaratne, FOUR, over short fine leg, poor ball and it is given the right treatment
7.3 Richardsonto Karunaratne, 1 run.
7.4 Richardsonto K Perera, DOT, full on off, Kusal goes for a booming drive, misses by a long way
7.5 Richardsonto K Perera, 2 runs, pulled to deep mid wicket off the front foot, the man in the deep does very well
7.6 Richardsonto K Perera, 1 run.
6.1 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, 2 runs, towards fine leg
6.2 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, 1 run, to cover
6.3 Behrendorff to K Perera, 1 run.
6.4 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, FOUR, slightly short, Dimuth helps it away with one hand past short fine leg
6.5 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, FOUR, streaky! Another attempted drive on the full ball, inside edge runs away to fine leg. 50 up already!
6.6 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, 1 run.
5.1 Cummins to Karunaratne, DOT, length ball angled across, defended down the pitch
5.2 Cummins to Karunaratne, FOUR, short and Dimuth it is this time who pulls off the front foot. Good shot, he really laid into that!
5.3 Cummins to Karunaratne, FOUR, unlucky! This one came back in a little, Dimuth wanted to defend, it takes his inside edge and runs away to the fine leg fence
5.4 Cummins to Karunaratne, DOT, inside edge onto his pads this time, drops down towards point
5.5 Cummins to Karunaratne, DOT, comes round the wicket and bowls full, Dimuth drives it to mid off
5.6 Cummins to Karunaratne, 1 run.
Bowling change already adn Jason Behrendorff steams in on his WC debut
4.1 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, DOT.
4.2 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, DOT, length ball, punched to mid on
4.3 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, DOT, angled into Dimuth, came back in actually, struck him on the pads, but it is down leg
4.4 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, DOT, solid front foot defence for this fuller delivery
4.5 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, DOT, pushes at this length delivery, goes past his outside edge. Good start here from the debutant
4.6 Behrendorff to Karunaratne, 1 run.
3.1 Cummins to K Perera, DOT, played with an angled bat to point
3.2 Cummins to K Perera, DOT, full, driven to mid off
3.3 Cummins to K Perera, 1 run, wants to drive but gets it off the inside half towards mid on
3.4 Cummins to Karunaratne, DOT, full outside off, Dimuth cannot get the drive past Cummins
3.5 Cummins to Karunaratne, DOT, length ball, Dimuth wants to cut this time, but cannot connect
3.6 Cummins to Karunaratne, 3 runs, nice foot forward and square driven past point for three. Outfield is too slow now
2.1 Starc to Karunaratne, DOT, driven straight back to Starc
2.2 Starc to Karunaratne, DOT, defended with a straight bat
2.3 Starc to Karunaratne, 2 runs, played wide of backward point, third man mops up
2.4 Starc to Karunaratne, DOT, yorker tailing in on leg stump, Dimuth falls over while trying to dig it out
2.5 Starc to Karunaratne, DOT, short ball, wrong line, down leg. Caught the glove on its way so no wide
2.6 Starc to Karunaratne, DOT.
Pat Cummins from the other end
1.1 Cummins to K Perera, 1 run, played to fine leg
1.2 Cummins to Karunaratne, DOT, length outside off, angled across, Dimuth shoulders arms
1.3 Cummins to Karunaratne, 3 runs, on the pads, flicked past square leg but it stops before the boundary
1.4 Cummins to K Perera, FOUR, length on off again, Kusal pulls it off the front foot to the deep mid wicket boundary
1.5 Cummins to K Perera, DOT, defended to cover
1.6 Cummins to K Perera, FOUR, short and punished! Kusal pulls off the front foot again, to the mid wicket boundary again
So Karunaratne walks out with Kusal Perera. It will be Starcwith the new ball to bowl to Karunaratne. He has two slips on stand-by
0.1 Starc to Karunaratne, 1 run, outside edge, controlled though, past second slip to third man
Starc pulls out of his run up at the last moment. The bails fell off at his end!
0.2 Starc to K Perera, DOT.
0.3 Starc to K Perera, FOUR, great shot! Length ball on off, Kusal square drives it past cover point. Good start
0.4 Starc to K Perera, 1 leg byes, yorked him, Starc appealed late, but it was going down leg
0.5 Starc to Karunaratne, 2 runs, half cut past point, they come back for two
0.6 Starc to Karunaratne, FOUR, wonderful! Punched on the jump off the back foot, past cover point again for four
Sri Lanka will have to bat out of their skins to have any chance of chasing down a record score in World Cups. Kusal Perera will have to be the aggressor and Karunaratne has to drop anchor, both roles that they are capable of. The skipper will hope they can provide a solid foundation for the others to launch later, much like Australia did. Starc and Cummins have not been at their best, but they are pretty lethal when in flow, and the Lankan openers will have to be wary of that. Can we expect a cracker of a chase, or will Sri Lanka crumble? We'll find out soon enough
49.1 T Perera to Maxwell, 1 run, full and wide outside off, outside Maxi's arc, he slashes it to deep cover somehow
49.2 T Perera to Starc, 1 run, full on off stump, flicked to deep mid wicket
49.3 T Perera to Maxwell, 1 run, full outside off, dug with an open face to third man
49.4 T Perera to Starc, 2 runs, yorker is dug wide of long on for a couple
49.5 T Perera to Starc, 1 run, low full toss, driven to long on. Can Maxi finish it off in style?
49.6 T Perera to Maxwell, FOUR, he does somewhat! Full outside off again, he shuffles across and whips it while falling over to the deep mid wicket boundary
48.1 Udana to Maxwell, OUT, excellent piece of work by Udana! He bowled a yorker which Maxwell cannot get under, somehow digs it out, Udana dives to stop it and knocks the stumps down at his end, catching Carey well short. Sri Lanka gettting some momentum back!
Carey run out (Udana) 4(3)
Pat Cummins is in
48.2 Udana to Maxwell, 3runs, slower length ball, Maxwell looks to lift it over mid off, the outside edge just evades a backtracking backward point and they run three
48.3 Udana to Cummins, OUT, another one! Digs out the yorker Cummins and sets off, Udana picks it up, takes his time and throws the stumps down at the opposite end this time. Brilliant he has been today
Cummins run out(Udana) 0(1)
Mitchell Starc walks in
48.4 Udana to Starc, 1 run, full and driven to long off
48.5 Udana to Maxwell, 2 runs, digs the yorker out and they run brilliantly to get back for two as deep mid wicket takes too long to get to it
48.6 Udana to Maxwell, 1 run.
Alex Carey is the man in at no.7
47.1 Malinga to Maxwell, 1 run, whipped to the deep on the leg side
47.2 Malinga to Carey, DOT, yorker dug out well
47.3 Malinga to Carey, 3 runs, hit aerially to sweeper cover, they get three somehow
47.4 Malinga to Maxwell, 1 run, another good yorker, he cannot get under it, bunts it to long on
47.5 Malinga to Carey, 1 run, low full toss tailing outside off, Carey hits to extra cover and the fielder cannot knock the stumps down
47.6 Malinga to Maxwell, 1 run.
Udana is back for the nth time today
46.1 Udana to Maxwell, WIDE, slower ball down the leg side. He is bowling from round the wicket
46.1 Udana to Maxwell, 1 run, slow length ball, Maxwell taps it towards short mid wicket
46.2 Udana to Marsh, 1 run, wide outside off, Marsh slashes it to deep backward point
46.3 Udana to Maxwell, DOT, excellent slower delivery. Maxwell wanted to slog (no surprise there), just misses the leg stump that one
46.4 Udana to Maxwell, 1 run, full on middle stump, driven to long off
46.5 Udana to Marsh, DOT, brilliant over this! Throws this full and wide of off, Marsh cannot connect
46.6 Udana to Marsh, OUT, Marsh's misery is over! Could not get going at all, he is not that type of player. It was a slower ball, Marsh slogs, cannot power it enough, goes straight to deep mid wicket
Marsh c Siriwardana b Udana 3(9)
Shaun Marsh is the new man in. Pradeep is back.
44.1 Pradeep to Maxwell, FOUR, short, not well directed Maxwell pulls it over mid on for a boundary
44.2 Pradeep to Maxwell, SIX, short and wide, Maxwell easily pulls this into the stands this time at long on. Pradeep is being carted around
44.3 Pradeep to Maxwell, DOT, yorker, dug out back to the bowler
44.4 Pradeep to Maxwell, FOUR, full on leg stump, Maxwell flicks it nonchalantly to deep mid wicket
44.5 Pradeep to Maxwell, FOUR, high full toss, Maxwell pulls it wide of deep mid wicket, there is no one there
44.6 Pradeep to Maxwell, FOUR, short and the top edge on the pull runs away over the keeper. 300 for Australia!
Glenn Maxwell is in at no.5. The nightmares don't end for Sri Lanka, do they?
43.1 Malinga to Maxwell, 2 runs, driven straight down the ground and Smith calls him back for two
43.2 Malinga to Maxwell, 1 run, full and bunted to long on
43.3 Malinga to Smith, OUT, gone! Brings out the perfect yorker this time round the wicket, so good that even Smith cannot dig it out. Disturbs his middle stump and Smith is very angry at himself
Smith b Malinga 73(59)
42.1 Udana to Finch, 1 run, low full toss, he makes room and drives, straight to extra cover though, the misfield gives him a run
42.2 Udana to Smith, 2 runs, worked to deep mid wicket, another misfield gifts them an extra run
42.3 Udana to Smith, 1 run, flicked to deep mid wicket
42.4 Udana to Finch, OUT, he does not get a double hundred! Wanted to slog this, it was a slower one, it takes the top edge, lobs up to extra cover, who takes it easily
Finch c Karunaratne b Udana 153(132)
That was a super expensive over. These two are going gung ho at everything and there is Maxwell and Carey still to come. Scary times! Malinga is back now
41.1 Malinga to Finch, FOUR, that is 150! Gentle length ball on middle stump round the wicket, Finch flicks it away to deep mid wicket
41.2 Malinga to Finch, 1 run, played to deep mid wicket
41.3 Malinga to Smith, WIDE, walks down the pitch and Malinga throws it past the leg stump
41.3 Malinga to Smith, 1 run, he is walking down the pitch and covering the stumps fully, plays it to cover and gets a run
41.4 Malinga to Finch, 1 run, powered down to long off
41.5 Malinga to Smith, DOT, cut straight to backward point
41.6 Malinga to Smith, SIX, class! Malinga overpitched it outside off, Smith picks it up and deposits it over cow corner. These two are going bonkers now!
39.1 T Perera to Smith, 1 run, worked away to deep square leg
39.2 T Perera to Finch, SIX, into the stands! Overpitched a bit, he slogs this into the deep square leg stands. Easy as you like. The ball is lost in the crowd now. Fourth umpire walks out with a replacement
39.3 T Perera to Finch, FOUR, short and wide, utter tripe, Finch cuts it aerially past backward point and it is an easy hit again
39.4 T Perera to Finch, 1 run, yorker, dug out to the off side
39.5 T Perera to Smith, 1 run, short and wide (again!), punched to sweeper cover
39.6 T Perera to Finch, DOT.
Wow!
Pradeep is back.
38.1 Pradeep to Finch, 1 run, short and upper cut to third man, some cheekiness from Finch for just a single
38.2 Pradeep to Smith, DOT.
38.3 Pradeep to Smith, 1 run, worked to fine leg and that is his fifty! Well played again
38.4 Pradeep to Finch, 1run, reaches out to get this fuller ball over cover and good fielding in the deep
38.5 Pradeep to Smith, 1 run, flicked to square leg
38.6 Pradeep to Finch, 2 runs.
Why won't they?
37.1 T Perera to Smith, DOT, driven to mid on
37.2 T Perera to Smith, 1 run, played to sweeper cover
37.3 T Perera to Finch, 1 run, a soft punch off the back foot to cover
37.4 T Perera to Smith, 1 run, goes for the booming slog, gets it off the inside half to square leg
37.5 T Perera to Finch, FOUR, short and wide, Finch punishes it with a cut past backward point. Great shot even so late into his innings!
37.6 T Perera to Finch, 1 run.
36.1 Udana to Smith, 1 run, short and pulled to long leg
36.2 Udana to Finch, DOT, mix-up and Smith survives! Finch dabbed to backward point, Smith was off already, had to turn back and it was a horror throw from the fielder
36.3 Udana to Finch, 1 run, this time they take the quick single to backward point
36.4 Udana to Smith, DOT, wants to steer it down, Smith turns his face away in disgust as the ball misses his outside edge
36.5 Udana to Smith, 1 run, turned away to mid wicket
36.6 Udana to Finch, FOUR, slow and wide outside off, Finch waited on it for ages and simply muscles it past over the man at cover. Horrid delivery and it was put away
35.1 T Perera to Finch, 1 run, length on off, defended to cover and single taken
35.2 T Perera to Smith, DOT, wide outside off, punched to backward point
35.3 T Perera to Smith, FOUR, length outside off again, Smith looks to drive on the up, it takes the outside edge to the third man fence. 200 for Australia, and brings up the 100-run partnership too
35.4 T Perera to Smith, 1 run, to deep cover
35.5 T Perera to Finch, 1 run, driven to deep extra cover, wanted two but Finch eventually says no
35.6 T Perera to Smith, 1 run.
Udana is back again
34.1 Udana to Finch, DOT, wide outside off, Finch mistimes the punch to short cover
34.2 Udana to Finch, FOUR, great shot! Angled across on a fuller length, Finch merely drives it on the up past mid off. Exquisite
34.3 Udana to Finch, DOT, slightly short, Finch grunts in disgust as he misses a scoring opportunity
34.4 Udana to Finch, DOT, wants to slog, mistimes it and it drops down beside him
34.5 Udana to Finch, DOT, flicks aerially, falls short of mid wicket
34.6 Udana to Finch, 1 run.
That will be drinks!
Amazing innings!
32.1 Siriwardana to Finch, DOT, played to square leg
32.2 Siriwardana to Finch, SIX, that's a hundred! What an innings from the skipper! That was full outside off, Finch just lifts it with his beefy arms over long off and it travels all the way. Has to get a big score today
32.3 Siriwardana to Finch, DOT.
32.4 Siriwardana to Finch, 1 run, worked to deep mid wicket
32.5 Siriwardana to Smith, 1 run, full and driven to long off
32.6 Siriwardana to Finch, 1 run.
31.1 Malinga to Smith, FOUR, full toss, Smith merely places it past short extra cover and it speeds away to the fence
31.2 Malinga to Smith, WIDE, slow bumper, Smith ducks, too high
31.2 Malinga to Smith, DOT, played to backward point
31.3 Malinga to Smith, 1 run, length on middle, worked to deep square leg
31.4 Malinga to Finch, NO BALL, opens the face of the bat a bit late to get it to backward point. Oh there is a free hit, because there are 5 fielders outside the ring. Horrible from the Lankans, what are they doing?
31.4 Malinga to Finch, DOT, great yorker, Finch digs it out after getting his front leg out of the way to mid off
31.5 Malinga to Finch, DOT, low full toss, played to mid wicket
31.6 Malinga to Finch, 1 run.
de Silva is off, on comes Siriwardana
30.1 Siriwardana to Smith, FOUR, short at his body, Smith swivels it past short fine leg
30.2 Siriwardana to Smith, 2 runs, wide outside off this time, Smith carves it through cover point for a couple
30.3 Siriwardana to Smith, DOT, cut straight to backward point
30.4 Siriwardana to Smith, 1 run, driven to deep cover
30.5 Siriwardana to Finch, 1 run, goes for the booming drive, gets an inside edge, just misses the stumps
30.6 Siriwardana to Smith, 1 run.
That last over brought up the 50-run stand and moved Finch into the nineties. Malinga is back maybe to prevent the hundred
29.1 Malinga to Finch, 1 run.
29.2 Malinga to Smith, 1 run, to short fine leg
29.3 Malinga to Finch, DOT, length on off, defended towards short extra cover
29.4 Malinga to Finch, WIDE, slower ball gone wrong, down leg too
29.4 Malinga to Finch, 1 run, full on leg stump, Finch caresses it to long on
29.5 Malinga to Smith, 2 runs, short at a slow pace, Smith pulls easily past short mid wicket
29.6 Malinga to Smith, 1 run.
28.1 de Silva to Finch, FOUR, poor ball down leg, Finch gets down on one knee and swivels it past short fine
28.2 de Silva to Finch, SIX, huge! Overpitched, Finch extends his arms, without a foot forward and gets it way over long on
28.3 de Silva to Finch, SIX, and again! Straight down the ground this time, he got to the pitch well, was full too, so it was easy
28.4 de Silva to Finch, WIDE, round the wicket and sent down leg
28.4 de Silva to Finch, 1 run, played towards mid off for a single
28.5 de Silva to Smith, 1 run, big stride forward and pushedthis to long on
28.6 de Silva to Finch, 1 run.
27.1 Udana to Smith, 1 run, dabbed with an open face to third man
27.2 Udana to Finch, 1 run, Finch has resorted to an open stance now, wants to heave it to the leg side whenever possible. Dabs this to third man though
27.3 Udana to Smith, 1 run, length ball, flicked to deep square leg
27.4 Udana to Finch, 1 run, good drive down the ground, past Udana for a single to long on
27.5 Udana to Smith, DOT, full ball, driven straight to mid off
27.6 Udana to Smith, FOUR, very full, very wide, Smith drives it wonderfully past backward point for four. Getting a move on now
26.1 de Silva to Finch, WIDE, down leg
26.1 de Silva to Finch, DOT, punched back
26.2 de Silva to Finch, 1 run.
26.3 de Silva to Smith, 1 run, played on one foot after coming down the track, to long on
26.4 de Silva to Finch, 1 run, short but Finch only punches it to long off
26.5 de Silva to Smith, DOT, back to the bowler
26.6 de Silva to Smith, 1 run.
Udana is back
25.1 Udana to Finch, 1 run, full and driven down to long on
25.2 Udana to Smith, 1 run, shuffles across past off stump and digs this one to deep mid wicket
25.3 Udana to Finch, 1 run, length outside off, dabbed down to third man
25.4 Udana to Smith, DOT, angled across, defends down the ground
25.5 Udana to Smith, 2 runs, I won't be typing out that Smith shuffles across, because he does it literally every ball. Plays this wide of deep mid wicket for two
25.6 Udana to Smith, FOUR, good shot! First boundary for Smith, placed very well wide of deep mid wicket with better timing than the last ball
24.1 de Silva to Smith, DOT, prods forward and plays it to mid on
24.2 de Silva to Smith, DOT, played straight back to Dhananjaya
24.3 de Silva to Smith, DOT, punched to short mid wicket
24.4 de Silva to Smith, 1 run, nudged to backward square leg
24.5 de Silva to Finch, 1 run, to long on
24.6 de Silva to Smith, DOT.
Steve Smith walks out to the middle
23.1 Pradeep to Finch, 1 run.
23.2 Pradeep to Smith, DOT, a trademark shuffle and his attempted flick does not come off
23.3 Pradeep to Smith, 1 run, this time he flicks it away to deep square leg
23.4 Pradeep to Finch, DOT, a nagging length from Pradeep, Finch defends down the pitch
23.5 Pradeep to Finch, DOT, short ball, Finch wants to pull, but he is struggling with his timing all of a sudden. Looks sluggish
23.6 Pradeep to Finch, SIX, this time he connects! Pulled well, pulled hard and it flies into the stands at deep square leg
22.1 de Silva to Finch, DOT, plays this length ball to short mid wicket
22.2 de Silva to Finch, DOT, don't know why that is not a wide
22.3 de Silva to Finch, 2 runs, punched to deep extra cover
22.4 de Silva to Finch, 1 run, to wide long off and that is 100 for the Aussies!
22.5 de Silva to Khawaja, DOT.
22.6 de Silva to Khawaja, OUT, another one down! The golden arm of de Silva! Khawaja gets down on one knee, goes for the full bloodied sweep, does not time it too well, it goes straight into the hands of deep mid wicket
Khawaja c Udana b de Silva 10(20)
21.1 Pradeep to Khawaja, DOT, length ball, Usman wants to punch (maybe?), it goes past his outside edge, the close in fielders and bowler appeal but they don't go for the DRS
21.2 Pradeep to Khawaja, 1 run, bouncer and Usman helps it to fine leg
21.3 Pradeep to Finch, DOT, beats the inside edge now! Pradeep is in some rhythm
21.4 Pradeep to Finch, 1 run, coming back into Finch, who gets his bat down in time to get it to backward square leg
21.5 Pradeep to Khawaja, DOT, he has some enmity against Usman here! He is rattling him now, yet another bouncer on his head. He ducks
21.6 Pradeep to Khawaja, DOT.
Boucher is one optimistic chap!
Nuwan Pradeep is back
19.1 Pradeep to Khawaja, DOT.
19.2 Pradeep to Khawaja, FOUR, full and wide outside off, he drives without much feet, gets a thick outside edge, which runs away to the third man fence
19.3 Pradeep to Khawaja, DOT, bumper as a comeback and Usman ducks under it
19.4 Pradeep to Khawaja, 1 run, length on off, played with an open face wide of third man
19.5 Pradeep to Finch, 1 run, hard punch off the back foot to this back of a length delivery, goes to deep cover
19.6 Pradeep to Khawaja, DOT.
18.1 de Silva to Finch, DOT, wanted to drive the fuller, the outside edge rolls to backward point
18.2 de Silva to Finch, 1 run, punched off the back foot to long on
18.3 de Silva to Khawaja, 1 run.
18.4 de Silva to Finch, 1 run, cut through cover point for a single
18.5 de Silva to Khawaja, DOT, driven to extra cover
18.6 de Silva to Khawaja, 1 run.
Usman Khawaja is man in at no.3. Suspect that it is to keep the left-right combination going. If Finch had fallen, Smith may have walked in
17.1 T Perera to Finch, 1 run, played with an open face past backward point. That is 50 for the skipper!
17.2 T Perera to Khawaja, DOT, length outside off, played to point
17.3 T Perera to Khawaja, DOT, cramped for room, Usman defends down the pitch
17.4 T Perera to Khawaja, 1 run, steered past point for a single. First runs for him
17.5 T Perera to Finch, DOT, played to cover
17.6 T Perera to Finch, 1 run.
16.1 de Silva to Finch, DOT, played off the back foot to short mid wicket
16.2 de Silva to Finch, 1 run, pushed down to long on
16.3 de Silva to Warner, DOT, drifting into him again, Warner defends down the pitch
16.4 de Silva to Warner, OUT, gone! It was a regular off spin action, but goes straight through after pitching, Warner wants to cut but it strikes the top of middle stump
Warner b de Silva 26(48)
15.1 T Perera to Finch, DOT, length on off, Finch defends to mid off
15.2 T Perera to Finch, 1 run, length on off, punched to deep cover
15.3 T Perera to Warner, 1 run, defended to the off side, quick single taken
15.4 T Perera to Finch, DOT, defended to cover. It is quite windy out there now
15.5 T Perera to Finch, DOT.
15.6 T Perera to Finch, 1 run.
First signs of spin as in comes Dhananjaya de Silva
14.1 de Silva to Finch, DOT, driven down the ground, the bowler stops it well
14.2 de Silva to Finch, 1 run, too full, Finch drives down the ground to long on
14.3 de Silva to Warner, 1 run, dances down the pitch, gets it to long on
14.4 de Silva to Finch, 1 run, worked away off the back foot to deep mid wicket
14.5 de Silva to Warner, DOT, drifting into Warner, he plays to mid on
14.6 de Silva to Warner, DOT.
13.1 T Perera to Warner, 1 run, length on off, Warner cuts in front of cover point for a single
13.2 T Perera to Finch, DOT.
13.3 T Perera to Finch, 1 run, full on middle stump, flicked aerially to deep square leg
13.4 T Perera to Warner, 1 run, played past backward point, single taken
13.5 T Perera to Finch, 1 run, down the pitch, flicks the short ball to deep mid wicket
13.6 T Perera to Warner, DOT.
Don't think anyone can!
12.1 Udana to Finch, 1 run, he has all the time to punch it to sweeper cover
12.2 Udana to Warner, 1 run, defended towards mid wicket, takes the run on offer
12.3 Udana to Finch, DOT, angled bat shot to cover
12.4 Udana to Finch, 2 runs, short and pulled to deep backward square leg, some nice tag team work from the two fielders there
12.5 Udana to Finch, DOT, full outside off, angled across him, defended to mid off
12.6 Udana to Finch, 2 runs, punched off the back foot to deep extra cover, takes two
11.1 T Perera to Finch, 2 runs, flicked to deep mid wicket and it is an easy two
11.2 T Perera to Finch, DOT, huge appeal from Thisara! Karunaratne has gone for the DRS with one second left on the clock. That was dropped on a length, Finch prodded forward, it hit his front pad first before his bat, impact is umpire's call! Let off there for Finch, SL will keep the review though
11.3 T Perera to Finch, 1 run, defended to short cover and quick single taken. Good running!
11.4 T Perera to Warner, DOT, defended to point
11.5 T Perera to Warner, WIDE, goes just past the tramline
11.5 T Perera to Warner, 1 run, punched to deep extra cover
11.6 T Perera to Finch, 1 run.
End of first powerplay and Australia will be super happy with this start
10.1 Udana to Warner, DOT, length outside off, played to backward point
10.2 Udana to Warner, DOT, fuller on the stumps, Warner drives to mid on
10.3 Udana to Warner, DOT, driven to backward point
10.4 Udana to Warner, 2 runs, on his hips this time, Warner works it to deep mid wicket and gets two
10.5 Udana to Warner, 1 run, cut in front of point, a single to sweeper cover
10.6 Udana to Finch, 1 run.
Thisara Perera is the second bowling change for Sri Lanka
9.1 T Perera to Warner, 1 run, flicked to deep square leg
9.2 T Perera to Finch, FOUR, full outside off, lots of width, Finch drives with all the freedom he wants and extra cover lets it right through him. They have been very insipid
9.3 T Perera to Finch, FOUR, width outside off again, Finch punches it past cover point. Great timing, that is 50 for the Aussies!
9.4 T Perera to Finch, DOT.
9.5 T Perera to Finch, DOT, driven to extra cover and there is applause when he actually stops it!
9.6 T Perera to Finch, DOT.
Isuru Udana is on to bowl
8.1 Udana to Warner, DOT, good ball first up. Length outside off, no real width, Warner leaves it alone
8.2 Udana to Warner, DOT, angled into Warner, he defends down the ground
8.3 Udana to Warner, DOT, defended towards cover point
8.4 Udana to Warner, DOT, another one into Warner on a length, he defends easily. There is no real pace on any of the bowlers today
8.5 Udana to Warner, 1 run, tucked away to mid wicket, who fields well
8.6 Udana to Finch, DOT.
7.1 Pradeep to Warner, FOUR, classic! Full, and slight swing away outside off, Warner square drives it past point and it runs away to the fence
7.2 Pradeep to Warner, DOT, driven to cover this time
7.3 Pradeep to Warner, WIDE, 1 byes, first bumper of the day, it is down leg though, and the keeper cannot gather it too
7.3 Pradeep to Finch, DOT, beautiful drive on the half volley, but it goes straight to extra cover
7.4 Pradeep to Finch, 1 run, driven again, straight to extra cover again, but he misfields to allow the run
7.5 Pradeep to Warner, 2 runs, misfield at cover point this time, Warner merely defended it, should have been only one
7.6 Pradeep to Finch, 1 run.
He won't mind as long as he is winning games!
6.1 Malinga to Finch, DOT, full on middle stump, Finch defends with a straight bat
6.2 Malinga to Finch, FOUR, that is dead straight! Full on middle again, Finch comes forward to drive it absolutely down the ground, literally
6.3 Malinga to Finch, 2 runs, round the wicket he comes, drops it on leg stump, Finch flicks it away for a couple
6.4 Malinga to Finch, DOT, angled across Finch, he leaves it alone
6.5 Malinga to Finch, FOUR, horrid fielding. Finch drives down the ground (yet again!) , straight to mid off, who lets it run under him
6.6 Malinga to Finch, DOT.
5.1 Pradeep to Finch, DOT, length ball, defended down the ground. Keeper and slips half appeal, maybe for an lbw
Udana is back on the field by the way
5.2 Pradeep to Finch, DOT.
5.3 Pradeep to Finch, 1 run, length on off stump, flicked to mid wicket
5.4 Pradeep to Warner, 2 runs, full outside off, Warner merely pushes at it, gets it past covers for a couple
5.5 Pradeep to Warner, DOT, pushed to mid off
5.6 Pradeep to Finch, DOT.
4.1 Malinga to Finch, 1 run, on leg stump, glanced to fine leg
4.2 Malinga to Warner, 2 runs, mistimes the drive down the ground, chipped it really, the lack of timing means they get only two
4.3 Malinga to Warner, DOT, length ball, defends it towards mid wicket
4.4 Malinga to Warner, DOT, flicked to square leg
4.5 Malinga to Warner, DOT, fuller, driven straight to mid off. Warner not quite looking himself yet
4.6 Malinga to Warner, DOT.
3.1 Pradeep to Finch, DOT, another straight drive, too straight maybe, Pradeep stops it with his leg
3.2 Pradeep to Finch, DOT.
3.3 Pradeep to Finch, DOT, little short, mistimes the pull to mid on does Finch
3.4 Pradeep to Finch, FOUR, good shot again! Length on middle stump, Finch flicks it well past short mid wicket and mid on, Udana chases but to no avail
Udana has injured his left shoulder there, which could be bad, he is a left-arm bowler. He hit the advertising boards pretty hard there, could not stop himself with the momentum taking him into them. He is going off the field.
3.5 Pradeep to Finch, 1 run, played to short mid wicket, quick single taken
3.6 Pradeep to Warner, DOT.
Good gesture Dave!
2.1 Malinga to Warner, DOT, wants to drive, gets it off the inside half of the bat to the bowler
2.2 Malinga to Warner, DOT, defended the length ball towards short mid wicket
2.3 Malinga to Warner, DOT, good leave. Length outside off, he comes forward and lets it go
2.4 Malinga to Warner, DOT, lots of time for Warner for the drive, he does not really attack it, gets it to cover
2.5 Malinga to Warner, DOT, almost a yorker, dug out to mid on
2.6 Malinga to Warner, DOT. Maiden over!
Nuwan Pradeep from the other end
1.1 Pradeep to Finch, FOUR, beautiful! Gentle length delivery outside off, no swing at all, Finch punches it with great timing past mid off and extra cover
1.2 Pradeep to Finch, DOT, punched to extra cover
1.3 Pradeep to Finch, DOT, driven straight down the ground to mid on
1.4 Pradeep to Finch, DOT, defended on the leg side
1.5 Pradeep to Finch, FOUR, excellent! Straight ball on middle stump, Finch takes one step forward, presents a straight bat and a still head, and it is a perfect straight drive down the ground
1.6 Pradeep to Finch, DOT.
Finch and Warner make their way to the middle. These two got off to a flier against Pakistan and can lay into any bowling attack, especially a depleted Lankan one. Expect some prodding first few overs, before they explode. Malinga it will be with the new ball for Sri Lanka, and he has one slipfor the edge.
0.1 Malinga to Warner, DOT, defends the straight length ball down the pitch
0.2 Malinga to Warner, DOT, oh missed the edge! Wanted to drive there Warner, lost his balance too in the process
0.3 Malinga to Warner, FOUR, great timing! Full on leg stump, Warner brings out the on drive, places it past mid on beautifully
0.4 Malinga to Warner, DOT, this time plays the full ball to mid wicket
0.5 Malinga to Warner, DOT, leaves the length ball outside off alone
0.6 Malinga to Warner, DOT.
Teams walk out for the national anthems
Australia's anthem is played first, followed by that of Sri Lanka
Team News
Sri Lanka XI: Dimuth Karunaratne(c), Kusal Perera(wk), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Milinda Siriwardana, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep
Australia XI: Aaron Finch(c), David Warner, Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey(wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Jason Behrendorff
SL win toss; to bowl first
Finch calls wrong and Karunaratne wants to bowl first. There has been a lot of rain the past few days, so he wants to take advantage of those conditions. Lakmal is out for Sri Lanka and Siriwardena comes in place of him.
Finch would've wanted to bowl first too he says. Coulter-Nile is out and Jason Behrendoff comes in place of him.
Australia look to roll the winning juggernaut
The Aussies are always a formidable side, even if they miss a couple of key players. Warner and Smith, who were out of the reckoning for one year, have come back with a bang, already scoring decent amount of runs in the World Cup. They lost to India, but came back with a bang against Pakistan and will look to continue that momentum, considering that Sri Lanka are not a threat anymore.
Sri Lanka for their part have had a week to rest and regroup, and are no missing no major players, though Nuwan Pradeep maybe a doubt for the game. They'll look to take the fight to Australia but looking at their current form, they'll certainly start as lesser of the two favourites. You can read more of our preview here.
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