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Brief Summary
Australia's top order failed to cope with the swinging ball yet again. This vulnerability of the Aussie batsmen was exposed best by Kulasekara who finished with figures of 3/30 runs. David Warner (60) was the only top order batsman to show some resistance to the Lankan onslaught. Mitchell Starc (52*) scored some much needed runs to take Australia to a respectable total of 222/9. Sri Lanka only played 3.2 overs when rain forced the umpires to call of play.
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Match has been called off due to rain.
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SRI LANKA: Overs: 3.2 II Score: 14/0 (Dilshan 9*, Jayawardene 4*)
Clint McKay starts off for Australia. Jayawardene and Dilshan were off to a good start but play has been affected by rain. Covers are out and the players have left the field.
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AUSTRALIA: Overs: 50 II Score: 222/9 (Starc 52*, Doherty 10*)
Australia have recovered wonderfully to reach 222 at the end of their 50 overs. Mitchell Starc played a gem of an innings to score 52* with 7 hits to the fence. Sri Lanka would be a bit disappointed that they could not fold out the Aussies for a much lesser score.
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AUSTRALIA: Overs: 45 II Score: 182/9 (Starc 27*)
Australia have lost wickets all too frequently. Sri Lanka have been right on the money and Australia have struggled to cope up with the testing line and length bowled by the Lankans.
MG Johnson lbw b Malinga 10 (25b 0x4 0x6)
MS Wade c Kulasekara b NLTC Perera 31 (53b 1x4 0x6)
MS Wade c Kulasekara b NLTC Perera 31 (53b 1x4 0x6)
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AUSTRALIA: Overs: 31.4 II Score: 130/6 (Wade 5*)
Australia have lost another wicket and this time its Henriques who has fallen prey to Herath’s guile.
MC Henriques lbw b Herath 3 (11b 0x4 0x6)
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AUSTRALIA: Overs: 29 II Score: 125/5 (Wade 5*, Henriques 0*)
Sri Lanka have got the big wicket of David Warner and Australia’s woes increase. Warner was adjudged Leg before wicket to a straight delivery from Thisara Perera. Warner didn’t look too pleased with the decision though.
DA Warner lbw b NLTC Perera 60 (73b 6x4 0x6)
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AUSTRALIA: Overs: 25 II Score: 103/4 (Warner 50*,Wade 5*)
Australia lose another wicket and this time it’s a spinner who has brought about Bailey’s downfall. Warner has been the only batsman who has looked comfortable in the middle and has also reached his 50 with five hits to the fence.
GJ Bailey c NLTC Perera b Herath 22 (39b 2x4 0x6)
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AUSTRALIA: Overs: 15 II Score: 60/3 (Warner 30*, Bailey 5*)
Sri Lanka have produced a very good spell of swing bowling here. They have maintained the pressure on the Aussie batsmen. The batsmen have had to work hard for their runs in the last five overs. Sri Lanka have also managed to pick up the wicket of the dangerous David Hussey.
DJ Hussey c Thirimanne b Malinga 1 (9b 0x4 0x6)
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AUSTRALIA: Overs: 10 II Score: 50/2 (Warner 28*)
Australia were going well with Clarke and Warner scoring freely and at a brisk rate but Sri Lanka have struck again and this time its the big wicket of Clarke. Clarke is hit on the pads by an in-swinging delivery from Kulasekara and the umpire gives him out. Clarke goes for a review and replays confirm that the ball would have clipped the middle stump. Good bowling performance from Sri Lanka so far.
MJ Clarke lbw b Kulasekara 20 (20b 2x4 0x6)
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AUSTRALIA: Overs: 5 II Score: 29/1 (Clarke 15*, Warner 13*)
Australia have lost the wicket of Hughes. Sri Lanka have bowled really well and kept a tight leash on the Aussie batsmen. However with Warner and Clarke in the middle things can change pretty quickly.
PJ Hughes c Chandimal b Kulasekara 1 (8b 0x4 0x6)
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TOSS: Australia have won the toss and they will be batting first.
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Sri Lanka lead 2-1 after they outplayed Australia in the last ODI played in Brisbane. Australia will be looking to get back into winning ways. Interestingly they have made no change from the squad that was bundled out for 74 in Brisbane. Sri Lanka on the other hand would be looking to carry their form from the last ODI.
First Published: Sunday, January 20, 2013, 09:59