UPDATE - 6.47 pm IST (1.17 pm GMT) - Great news! The rain has stopped and the covers are off. Considering that it was just a drizzle, it should not take long for the ground staff to get the field ready for play. More promising signs as we have a start time for the Australian run chase. Play will resume at 6.55 pm IST (1.25 pm GMT).Â
Right then, Australia will be the happier of the two sides at the halfway mark. However, batting under lights isn't easy at this venue and their misfiring batting unit will have to rise to the challenge. Moreover, Australia have failed to cross the 200-run mark twice, and no Aussie batter has managed to score a fifty at this World Cup so far. Will they get the job done here? Or will Sri Lanka make a match out of this? The start of the chase will be a bit delayed as the covers are coming on
On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be disappointed with this batting effort, especially after the platform laid by the openers. After Kusal Mendis called it right and opted to put runs on the board, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera did a good job of negating the Aussie pacers. They were even helped by the bowlers missing their lines and lengths, which allowed them to ease off the early jitters. Once the movement disappeared, both openers looked at ease, and Perera carried on without any afteref
In search of early wickets, Australia's new ball pairing of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood looked to go full, but they erred by bowling too straight and leaking boundaries in the process. Pat Cummins brought himself on as the first change, but he too failed to have any impact. As was the case in the last game against South Africa, the ineffectiveness of the pacers meant Glenn Maxwell was brought into the attack inside the first powerplay. He would have managed to trap Kusal Perera in front
What's with Asian teams and their batting collapses at this World Cup? First Pakistan, and now Sri Lanka. From 157-2, Sri Lanka lost their last 8 wickets for 52 runs to be bowled out for 209. If you consider the opening wicket partnership of 125 runs, the batting story for the Lankans will look even uglier. As far as Australia are concerned, it has been a tale of two halves. They did not start well but came roaring back to roll Sri Lanka over.Â
The wind seems to have slowed and things have returned to normalcy.Â
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, ! TAKEN! Glenn Maxwell finishes things off for Australia! He tosses this one up, full and around middle, turns away a bit, Charith Asalanka goes down on one knee for the slog-sweep but the spin takes the top edge and the ball flies in the air in front of long on where Marnus Labuschagne runs forwards, settles under it and pouches it safely. Sri Lanka have been bowled out for 209!
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Tossed up, full and on off, Charith Asalanka uses his feet and chips it over extra covers for a couple of runs.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Short and on middle, Charith Asalanka flicks it off the back foot through mid-wicket but refuses the run.
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Back of a length and around off, Dilshan Madushanka gets on top to and stabs it towards point.
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Mitchell Starc continues with his fuller length, on middle, angling in again, Dilshan Madushanka once again manages to defend it out down the pitch. He still has one delivery to survive in this over.
Oh, no!Â
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Mitchell Starc bangs in a bouncer at 144 clicks but down the leg sid, Dilshan Madushanka manages to get away from the line of it. Wided.
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Another full delivery, on middle, angling in, Dilshan Madushanka gets hit bat down in time and keeps it out to the leg side.
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Pitched up, on off, angling in, Dilshan Madushanka steers it towards point.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Short of a length and on middle, Charith Asalanka looks to pull it away but toe-ends it down pitch and towards mid on.
Glenn Maxwell to Dilshan Madushanka, Flighted, full and on middle, Dilshan Madushanka turns it to the leg side.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, TURN AND BOUNCE!
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Quicker, short and outside off, Charith Asalanka looks to cut it away but misses.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Flatter, short and around off, Charith Asalanka taps it towards point.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Fires in a yorker now, on middle, Charith Asalanka digs it out to the bowler.
Uh oh! All of a sudden, the wind has picked up.Â
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, A low full toss, on off, angling in, Dilshan Madushanka manages to get some bat on it as the ball rolls towards deep point.
Mitchell Starc to Lahiru Kumara, Quick bumper, on middle, Lahiru Kumara sways away out of the way quickly and lets the ball go to the keeper.Â
Powerplay 3! Australia can have five fielders outside the inner ring, but they will want to put more pressure on the batters by closing in the field. They will hope to wrap up the innings quickly now.
Mitchell Starc to Lahiru Kumara, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Lahiru Kumara, ! Streaky but crucial runs these for Sri Lanka!Â
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, On the fifth stump line, on a good length, Charith Asalanka looks to defend it with a straight bat. Gets it off the outer half of the bat to third man for a single.Â
Adam Zampa to Lahiru Kumara, Quicker through the air, short and outside off, Lahiru Kumara watches the ball all the way through and lets it go.
Adam Zampa to Lahiru Kumara, No run.
Adam Zampa to Lahiru Kumara, Looped up, on middle, Lahiru Kumara knocks it along the ground to mid off.
Adam Zampa to Lahiru Kumara, No run.
Adam Zampa to Maheesh Theekshana, ! LBW! Another googly, another wicket! Sri Lankan batters have no answers to Adam Zampa here.
Who comes in now?
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Tossed up, full and on middle, Charith Asalanka clips it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Josh Hazlewood ends the over with another good bumper, on middle, Maheesh Theekshana once again ducks underneath it.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Length again but down the leg side this time, Maheesh Theekshana leaves it alone. It is called a wide.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Josh Hazlewood lands this on a hard length and around off, Maheesh Theekshana lets it go to the keeper.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Touch fuller and on off, Maheesh Theekshana taps it straight towards point.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Josh Hazlewood bangs in a bouncer this time, on middle, Maheesh Theekshana gets hurried but ducks under it well.
Josh Hazlewood to Charith Asalanka, On a length and on off, Charith Asalanka guides it towards third man for a single.
Maheesh Theekshana walks out to bat.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Adam Zampa to Chamika Karunaratne, ! LBW! Adam Zampa strikes again! He has his third wicket of the game as Chamika Karunaratne goes back without making much impact. Zampa bowls a googly this time, full and on middle, turning in a bit, Chamika Karunaratne prods forward to defend but his bat gets stuck on his pads and he plays down the wrong line too. As a result, he gets rapped around his pads right in front of the stumps. There is a huge shout for LBW, and up goes the finger. Chamik
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Flighted, full and around off, Charith Asalanka leans on and drags it towards long off for one.
Adam Zampa to Chamika Karunaratne, Quicker one, full and on leg, Chamika Karunaratne works it through square leg for a run.
Adam Zampa to Chamika Karunaratne, No run.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Floated, full and on middle, Charith Asalanka tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, ! BANG! Charith Asalanka decides to take on Adam Zampa now! This is tossed up, full and around off, Charith Asalanka gets to the pitch of it and launches it over the long off fence for a biggie.
Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, Short of a length and around off, Chamika Karunaratne dabs it towards point and calls for the run but decides against it in the end. Only one run from the over then.
Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, Josh Hazlewood bangs in a bouncer now, sharp one too, on middle, Chamika Karunaratne ducks under it.
Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, Back of a length and around off, Chamika Karunaratne keeps it out to the off side.
Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, Goes fuller now, on middle, Chamika Karunaratne knocks it towards mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to Charith Asalanka, Length again, on off, Charith Asalanka drops it wide of short covers and scampers across for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Charith Asalanka, On a length and around off, nips away a bit, Charith Asalanka steers it towards point.
Glenn Maxwell to Chamika Karunaratne, Tossed up, around off, Chamika Karunaratne reaches out in front and clips it in front of mid-wicket.
Glenn Maxwell to Chamika Karunaratne, Flatter, full and on off, Chamika Karunaratne is solid in his defence again.
Glenn Maxwell to Chamika Karunaratne, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Chamika Karunaratne, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, On a length and on off, Charith Asalanka knocks it towards short covers.
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, ! RUN OUT! A brilliant piece of fielding and Australia gets another wicket now.
Is that out?
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, Pitches this one up but outside again, Dunith Wellalage lets it go to the keeper.
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, Short ball staright to the body lane of Dunith Wellalage, but he ducks and leaves the ball.
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, Mitchell Starc lands this on a hard length and outside off, Dunith Wellalage offers no shot at it,
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Looped up, full and on off once again, Charith Asalanka strides forward and eases it towards long off for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Dunith Wellalage, Flighted, full and around off, Dunith Wellalage drives it towards deep point for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Dunith Wellalage, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Dunith Wellalage, Floated, full and on off, Dunith Wellalage pushes it towards short covers,
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Tossed up on off, Charith Asalanka drives the ball in front of long off, single taken.
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, Back of a length and outside off, angling away, Dunith Wellalage looks to cut it away but misses.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Pitched up this time on middle and leg, Charith Asalanka tucks the ball to the deep square leg region for a single.
Dunith Wellalage is the new man in.Â
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, ! DRAGGED ON! Mitchell Starc strikes straightaway after the rain stoppage! A break in play once again proves to be useful for the fielding side.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, Mitchell Starc starts with a full delivery after the break, angling in, Dhananjaya de Silva turns it towards short mid-wicket.
We are all set for the restart.
UPDATE - 5.01 pm IST (11.31 am GMT) - There is positive news coming from the middle as the covers are being peeled off now. The two umpires walk out to the ground to check on the outfield while the super-soppers are working around as well. The wait should not be long.
UPDATE - 4.42 pm IST (11.12 am GMT) - Oh, dear! The clouds have opened up and it has started to drizzle. The ground staff come charging in with the covers and David Warner helps them get the covers on quickly. The square has been completely covered but let's hope that this is just a passing shower. Stay tuned for further updates.Â
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Looped up, full and on middle, Charith Asalanka tucks it through mid-wicket for one.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, Flatter, short and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva moves back and punches it towards long on for another run.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Tossing the ball up, low full toss, Charith Asalanka drives the ball to long-on for a run.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, Tossed up, full and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva eases it towards long on for a single.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, ! Lovely shot!
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Overpitched and on middle, Charith Asalanka drives it firmly wide of mid on but the fielder there dives to his right to gather it.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, This is on a good length and just around off, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to tap it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls to the off side.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short ball above middle, Dhananjaya de Silva camping back,opening the bat's plate to pointÂ
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Wide!
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Length ball outside off, Charith Asalanka leaves the ball not taking any risk.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short and turning away, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva dabs it from the crease to point.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, No run.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, No run.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, Tossed up on the middle, De Silva camps back and drives the ball to mid-wicket
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, No run.
Who walks out?
Adam Zampa to Sadeera Samarawickrama, ! Given LBW! Sadeera Samarawickrama thinks about it and goes for the review. Floats it up, full and on middle and leg, Sadeera Samarawickrama plays for the leg break but the ball skids on and keeps straight. Gets pinged on the front pad and up goes the finger. The front on replays show that ball has passed close to the bat.Â
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, Length ball, around off, Asalanka defends the ball to the covers.
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Pat Cummins to Sadeera Samarawickrama, 1 run.
Drinks! Australia have made an excellent comeback in the match by picking three wickets in quick succession. They will look to put more pressure on the new batters now while Sri Lanka will be hoping for another partnership. An exciting phase of cricket awaits us. Also, Charith Asalanka is the next man in.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Mendis, ! c David Warner b Adam Zampa.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Mendis, Looped again on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis blocks the ball to the bowler.
Adam Zampa to Sadeera Samarawickrama, 1 run.
Adam Zampa to Sadeera Samarawickrama, Four!
Adam Zampa to Kusal Mendis, Skidding on, short and on middle, the ball keeps low as well, Kusal Mendis adjusts well and pulls it in front of square for a single.Â
Adam Zampa to Sadeera Samarawickrama, Looped, on the middle and off, Sadeera Samarawickrama plays the ball to the covers on his back
Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, Quick bumper at a steep height, on off, Kusal Mendis ducks and lets the ball pass.Â
Pat Cummins to Sadeera Samarawickrama, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Sadeera Samarawickrama, No run.
Pat Cummins to Sadeera Samarawickrama, No run.
Sadeera Samarawickrama comes out to the middle now.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, ! b Pat Cummins.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, on off, Kusal Perera keeps it out off the front foot.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, Much closer to off, on a back of a length, Kusal Perera steers with an open bat face but picks out backward point.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, Four!
Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, ! Quality shot!Â
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, on middle, Kusal Perera prods forward and keeps it out on the off side.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Mendis, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Four!
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Four!
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Kusal Mendis walks out to bat at number 3.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, ! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Pat Cummins gets the breakthrough for Australia!Â
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Four!
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Rolls his fingers over the ball and serves it fuller in length, on off, Pathum Nissanka waits for the ball to arrive and steers it towards backward point.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Pitched up by Cummins from over the wicket, on off, Pathum Nissanka drives firmly with a straight bat but picks out mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Into the wicket by Hazlewood, over middle, Pathum Nissanka swivels in the crease and pulls it a bit aerially towards deep backward square leg for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, ! Cut away with ease! Hazlewood offers width, short and outside off, Pathum Nissanka hangs on the back foot and frees his arms. Cuts it hard and wide of backward point for a boundary.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, 2 runs.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Quicker, short and on off, Kusal Perera stays back and pushes it towards short covers.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, FIFTY FOR NISSANKA! Back-to-back fifties for him and he has continued his good form against the Aussies. Now, both openers will look to convert these into big ones. This is floated, full and on middle, turning in, Pathum Nissanka clips it through square leg for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, full and on off, Kusal Perera prods forward and defends it on the front foot.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Goes short this time, on middle, Pathum Nissanka flicks it off the back foot towards deep mid-wicket for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Flatter, full and on off, Kusal Perera tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, 2 Byes.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Another slower delivery, length again, on middle, Pathum Nissanka dead-bats it down the pitch.
Marcus Stoinis to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Marcus Stoinis to Kusal Perera, ! FIFTY FOR PERERA! This has been a lovely knock from him and he gets his first half-century in this competition.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Fuller one and on middle, Pathum Nissanka keeps it out to the leg side.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Goes short and around off, Kusal Perera moves back and pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, No run.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Wide!
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Slower through the air, on middle, Kusal Perera looks to work it away but gets an leading edge towards short thrid man.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, full and around off, Kusal Perera slices it in the air but manages to get enough power to go over extra cover for a couple of runs.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, Floated, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka drills it towards long off for a single.
Halt! Kusal Perera has taken a blow near the badge of his helmet and looks shaken by it. Two physios are out, performing the concussion assessment and this does not look good for Perera. Right then, he seems fine to continue despite the initial scare and we are all good to go now.Â
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, Short and around off, Pathum Nissanka moves back and punches it towards short covers.
Marcus Stoinis to Kusal Perera, No run.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Fantastic effort in the field!
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, On a length and on middle, angling in, Pathum Nissanka pats it down towards short mid-wicket.
Marcus Stoinis to Kusal Perera, A slower one now, full and on leg, Kusal Perera works it through backward square leg for a run.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Marcus Stoinis begins with a short delivery, on middle, Pathum Nissanka pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Floated, full and on middle, Kusal Perera turns it wide of square leg and takes a few steps forward for the run but is sent back, Marnus Labuschagne hits the stumps at the batter's end but Perera is well in. The replay shows the same.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, No run.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Short again and around leg, Kusal Perera moves back and clips it towards square leg.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, A bit short now, on off, angling away, Kusal Perera keeps it out to the off side.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Four!
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, 2 runs.
Drinks break! This has been a solid start for Sri Lanka. Both Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera have looked at ease in the middle and are laying a solid foundation. As far as Australia are concerned, they have bowled too full and too straight at times, which has resulted in them conceding the boundaries. Adam Zampa hasn't started well but will have to come back strong and provide a breakthrough for his side.Â
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Flatter delivery, short but down the leg side, Kusal Perera looks to pull it away but misses. It is called a wide.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, A full toss now, on middle, Kusal Perera drills it well wide of mid on but Glenn Maxwell runs to his right quickly and dives to make a brilliant stop. They cross.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, On a length and around off, Pathum Nissanka pushes it towards mid off.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Mitchell Starc loses his line and serves this full and down the leg side, Kusal Perera leaves it alone. Wided.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Fuller one and around off, Pathum Nissanka drives it towards mid off for a quick single.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, A googly now, on middle, turning in, Pathum Nissanka watches it through and punches it towards long on for one.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, Floated, full and on off, Pathum Nissanka drives it straight to short covers.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, ! Powered away!
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, Flatter, full and outside off, Pathum Nissanka leaves it alone.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, ! Pathum Nissanka greets Adam Zampa with a boundary! Zampa starts with a short delivery and around off, Pathum Nissanka rocks back quickly and slaps it wide of mid on for a boundary.
A change in bowling as Adam Zampa comes on to bowl, replacing Glenn Maxwell.Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Mitchell Starc bangs this short and around off, Pathum Nissanka pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for another run.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Pitched up and around leg, Kusal Perera flicks it uppishly but safely towards deep square leg for a run.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, ! Easy pickings!
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Nice change of pace! Starc bowls this fuller and on off, slower one, Kusal Perera is early into his defensive push and misses it completely.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, On a length and around off, Pathum Nissanka runs it down to third man for a single.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Darts this one full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka knocks it towards long on for one more.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Flatter, short and around leg, Kusal Perera flicks it off the back foot towards backward square leg for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Shorter in length and outside off, Kusal Perera rocks back and cuts it hard towards the deep point fence where David Warner covers a lot of ground to his right and dives to keep it inside. Two runs taken.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, full and on middle, Kusal Perera clips it through square leg for a single.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Pat Cummins gets the bouncer right this time, on middle, Pathum Nissanka gets a bit hurried as he mistimes his pull shot wide of mid-wicket.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, Tries to go short but this one keeps a bit low, on middle, Kusal Perera heaves it towards fine leg for a run.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, ! Fine shot! Pat Cummins lands this back of a length and outside off, Pathum Nissanka gets on top of the bounce well and crunches it through point for a boundary.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Pulls his length back this time, on middle again, Pathum Nissanka keeps it out down the pitch.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Powerplay 2! Australia can now have up to 4 players outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, ! Not in control but Kusal Perera has a boundary! Tossed up, on middle, Kusal Perera gets down and goes for the sweep. He fails to roll his wrist and the extra bounce results in a top edge that goes over the keeper and wide of short fine leg for a boundary.Â
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, 2 runs.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, A bit too straight, on a back of a length, on the pads, Kusal Perera nurdles it in front of square on the leg side for a run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, ! A healthy deviation but a chance nonetheless!Â
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Leg bye.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Keeps it short, on middle, Pathum Nissanka punches it to the right of mid on and calls his partner for a single.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Much better! Turning in, short and on off, Pathum Nissanka makes room to cut it away on the off side but the ball spins in and hits the splice of the bat.Â
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Wide!
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, At the batter, on a good length, Kusal Perera tucks it from the crease in front of square leg. He wants a single but gets sent back by his partner.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, On a hard length, on off, Kusal Perera stands tall to punch it through the off side. He gets an inside edge that rolls on the leg side.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, Gets this one to angle away, closer to off, on a good length, Kusal Perera shapes to cut but the ball is too close to cut and he gets beaten by the bounce on this occasion.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, WIDE! Tries to go full but hurls it down leg, Kusal Perera looks to help it fine but misses out. Wided.Â
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, ! Kusal Perera greets Pat Cummins with a boundary! Starts off with a loosened, on a length, but down leg, Kusal Perera gets inside the line and tickles it towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.Â
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Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, ! Short and punished!Â
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Slanting in, on middle and leg, on a good length, Pathum Nissanka gets on top of the bounce and whips it in front of square. The mid-wicket fielder performs the chase and pulls it back as the batters run three.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, In the channel on off, on a back of a length, Pathum Nissanka stands tall and punches it away on the up to cover.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Bangs it in short, at 143.2 clicks, on off, Pathum Nissanka gets on his toes to play it fine on the off side. Bottom edges the ball down to third man for a single.Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Pulls the length back and bowls it on middle, Pathum Nissanka camps back and hops to defend with a straight bat.Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, ! Straight as an arrow!Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Near the tramline on off, full as well, Pathum Nissanka goes for an expansive drive but toe-ends his shot a bit uppishly towards mid off.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, That has taken off!Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Four!
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, ! Width offered and Kusal Perera cashes in!Â
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Hits the back of a length, on middle, Kusal Perera shapes to nudge it away on the leg side but misses. The ball jags back in a bit and catches Perera high on the thigh pad.Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Starc drifts on the pads this time, full in length, Pathum Nissanka plays it right under his eyes and turns this one behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Angles it into the batter, on a length, Kusal Perera closes the bat face slightly and helps it down to fine leg for a single.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Good shot for no run!
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Honing in at the stumps, on a length, Kusal Perera presents the full face of the bat and pats it back to Mitchell Starc.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Beauty! Starc dishes out a full delivery, shaping away, outside off, Kusal Perera gets lured into the drive and pushes away from the body. The ball goes away and zips past the outside edge of his bat.Â
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length again, on off and middle, Pathum Nissanka gets behind the line and defends it on the off side without much of a fuss.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Hazlewood hurls it full and a hint of away shape, outside off, Pathum Nissanka with a high elbow, leans and drives, only to find mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, In the channel on off, on a back of a length, Pathum Nissanka shuffles and dabs it off the back foot towards backward point.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Full again but down the leg side, Kusal Perera looks to flick but misses as the ball goes off his pads towards square leg. A leg bye is taken.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Goes a bit fuller this time, on middle, Kusal Perera gets behind the line of it and blocks it down the pitch.
Josh Hazlewood to share the attack.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Josh Hazlewood begins with a hard-length delivery around off, shaping further away, Kusal Perera lifts his bat and lets it go to the keeper.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, ! Clipped away with ease!Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Four!
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Full and a bit of late swing in, on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka accounts for the inward movement and pushes it to mid on.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Wide!
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Right on the money! A huge shout for LBW but it is turned down. After a deliberation with the keeper, Pat Cummins goes for the review.Â
Done with the pre-match formalities! The Australian players can be seen in a huddle where Steven Smith is giving a pep talk. Now they spread out to take their respective field positions. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera are the two openers for Sri Lanka. Mitchell Starc has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...
The two umpires walk out to the middle followed by the players of both sides who line up for their respective national anthems. It will be Sri Lanka's first followed by the national anthem of Australia.
The captain of Australia, Pat Cummins says they would have batted first as well but this doesn't make much difference. Adds that they have had a couple of good training sessions and it is all about being fresh for each game. Informs they are unchanged.
The skipper of Sri Lanka, Kusal Mendis says that they will bat first. Mentions that the wicket will play well in the first and reckons that it will turn later. Shares that he watched the previous game between Australia and South Africa at this venue and feels that batting will be easier in the first half. Adds that they have a couple of spinners who will come into play in the second half. Informs that they have made changes to the side with Chamika Karunaratne and Lahiru Kumara coming in for
Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (C)&(WK), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne (In place of Dasun Shanaka), Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara (In place of Maheesh Theekshana), Dilshan Madushanka.
Australia (Unchanged Playing XI) - David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (WK), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (C), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.Â
TOSS - Sri Lanka have won the toss and they elected to BAT first.
... THE RUN CHASE ...
UPDATE - 6.47 pm IST (1.17 pm GMT) - Great news! The rain has stopped and the covers are off. Considering that it was just a drizzle, it should not take long for the ground staff to get the field ready for play. More promising signs as we have a start time for the Australian run chase. Play will resume at 6.55 pm IST (1.25 pm GMT).Â
Right then, Australia will be the happier of the two sides at the halfway mark. However, batting under lights isn't easy at this venue and their misfiring batting unit will have to rise to the challenge. Moreover, Australia have failed to cross the 200-run mark twice, and no Aussie batter has managed to score a fifty at this World Cup so far. Will they get the job done here? Or will Sri Lanka make a match out of this? The start of the chase will be a bit delayed as the covers are coming on
On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be disappointed with this batting effort, especially after the platform laid by the openers. After Kusal Mendis called it right and opted to put runs on the board, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera did a good job of negating the Aussie pacers. They were even helped by the bowlers missing their lines and lengths, which allowed them to ease off the early jitters. Once the movement disappeared, both openers looked at ease, and Perera carried on without any afteref
In search of early wickets, Australia's new ball pairing of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood looked to go full, but they erred by bowling too straight and leaking boundaries in the process. Pat Cummins brought himself on as the first change, but he too failed to have any impact. As was the case in the last game against South Africa, the ineffectiveness of the pacers meant Glenn Maxwell was brought into the attack inside the first powerplay. He would have managed to trap Kusal Perera in front
What's with Asian teams and their batting collapses at this World Cup? First Pakistan, and now Sri Lanka. From 157-2, Sri Lanka lost their last 8 wickets for 52 runs to be bowled out for 209. If you consider the opening wicket partnership of 125 runs, the batting story for the Lankans will look even uglier. As far as Australia are concerned, it has been a tale of two halves. They did not start well but came roaring back to roll Sri Lanka over.Â
The wind seems to have slowed and things have returned to normalcy.Â
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, ! TAKEN! Glenn Maxwell finishes things off for Australia! He tosses this one up, full and around middle, turns away a bit, Charith Asalanka goes down on one knee for the slog-sweep but the spin takes the top edge and the ball flies in the air in front of long on where Marnus Labuschagne runs forwards, settles under it and pouches it safely. Sri Lanka have been bowled out for 209!
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Tossed up, full and on off, Charith Asalanka uses his feet and chips it over extra covers for a couple of runs.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Short and on middle, Charith Asalanka flicks it off the back foot through mid-wicket but refuses the run.
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Back of a length and around off, Dilshan Madushanka gets on top to and stabs it towards point.
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Mitchell Starc continues with his fuller length, on middle, angling in again, Dilshan Madushanka once again manages to defend it out down the pitch. He still has one delivery to survive in this over.
Oh, no!Â
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Mitchell Starc bangs in a bouncer at 144 clicks but down the leg sid, Dilshan Madushanka manages to get away from the line of it. Wided.
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Another full delivery, on middle, angling in, Dilshan Madushanka gets hit bat down in time and keeps it out to the leg side.
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Pitched up, on off, angling in, Dilshan Madushanka steers it towards point.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Short of a length and on middle, Charith Asalanka looks to pull it away but toe-ends it down pitch and towards mid on.
Glenn Maxwell to Dilshan Madushanka, Flighted, full and on middle, Dilshan Madushanka turns it to the leg side.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, TURN AND BOUNCE!
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Quicker, short and outside off, Charith Asalanka looks to cut it away but misses.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Flatter, short and around off, Charith Asalanka taps it towards point.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Fires in a yorker now, on middle, Charith Asalanka digs it out to the bowler.
Uh oh! All of a sudden, the wind has picked up.Â
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, A low full toss, on off, angling in, Dilshan Madushanka manages to get some bat on it as the ball rolls towards deep point.
Mitchell Starc to Lahiru Kumara, Quick bumper, on middle, Lahiru Kumara sways away out of the way quickly and lets the ball go to the keeper.Â
Powerplay 3! Australia can have five fielders outside the inner ring, but they will want to put more pressure on the batters by closing in the field. They will hope to wrap up the innings quickly now.
Mitchell Starc to Lahiru Kumara, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Lahiru Kumara, ! Streaky but crucial runs these for Sri Lanka!Â
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, On the fifth stump line, on a good length, Charith Asalanka looks to defend it with a straight bat. Gets it off the outer half of the bat to third man for a single.Â
Adam Zampa to Lahiru Kumara, Quicker through the air, short and outside off, Lahiru Kumara watches the ball all the way through and lets it go.
Adam Zampa to Lahiru Kumara, No run.
Adam Zampa to Lahiru Kumara, Looped up, on middle, Lahiru Kumara knocks it along the ground to mid off.
Adam Zampa to Lahiru Kumara, No run.
Adam Zampa to Maheesh Theekshana, ! LBW! Another googly, another wicket! Sri Lankan batters have no answers to Adam Zampa here.
Who comes in now?
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Tossed up, full and on middle, Charith Asalanka clips it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Josh Hazlewood ends the over with another good bumper, on middle, Maheesh Theekshana once again ducks underneath it.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Length again but down the leg side this time, Maheesh Theekshana leaves it alone. It is called a wide.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Josh Hazlewood lands this on a hard length and around off, Maheesh Theekshana lets it go to the keeper.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Touch fuller and on off, Maheesh Theekshana taps it straight towards point.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Josh Hazlewood bangs in a bouncer this time, on middle, Maheesh Theekshana gets hurried but ducks under it well.
Josh Hazlewood to Charith Asalanka, On a length and on off, Charith Asalanka guides it towards third man for a single.
Maheesh Theekshana walks out to bat.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Adam Zampa to Chamika Karunaratne, ! LBW! Adam Zampa strikes again! He has his third wicket of the game as Chamika Karunaratne goes back without making much impact. Zampa bowls a googly this time, full and on middle, turning in a bit, Chamika Karunaratne prods forward to defend but his bat gets stuck on his pads and he plays down the wrong line too. As a result, he gets rapped around his pads right in front of the stumps. There is a huge shout for LBW, and up goes the finger. Chamik
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Flighted, full and around off, Charith Asalanka leans on and drags it towards long off for one.
Adam Zampa to Chamika Karunaratne, Quicker one, full and on leg, Chamika Karunaratne works it through square leg for a run.
Adam Zampa to Chamika Karunaratne, No run.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Floated, full and on middle, Charith Asalanka tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, ! BANG! Charith Asalanka decides to take on Adam Zampa now! This is tossed up, full and around off, Charith Asalanka gets to the pitch of it and launches it over the long off fence for a biggie.
Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, Short of a length and around off, Chamika Karunaratne dabs it towards point and calls for the run but decides against it in the end. Only one run from the over then.
Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, Josh Hazlewood bangs in a bouncer now, sharp one too, on middle, Chamika Karunaratne ducks under it.
Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, Back of a length and around off, Chamika Karunaratne keeps it out to the off side.
Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, Goes fuller now, on middle, Chamika Karunaratne knocks it towards mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to Charith Asalanka, Length again, on off, Charith Asalanka drops it wide of short covers and scampers across for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Charith Asalanka, On a length and around off, nips away a bit, Charith Asalanka steers it towards point.
Glenn Maxwell to Chamika Karunaratne, Tossed up, around off, Chamika Karunaratne reaches out in front and clips it in front of mid-wicket.
Glenn Maxwell to Chamika Karunaratne, Flatter, full and on off, Chamika Karunaratne is solid in his defence again.
Glenn Maxwell to Chamika Karunaratne, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Chamika Karunaratne, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, On a length and on off, Charith Asalanka knocks it towards short covers.
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, ! RUN OUT! A brilliant piece of fielding and Australia gets another wicket now.
Is that out?
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, Pitches this one up but outside again, Dunith Wellalage lets it go to the keeper.
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, Short ball staright to the body lane of Dunith Wellalage, but he ducks and leaves the ball.
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, Mitchell Starc lands this on a hard length and outside off, Dunith Wellalage offers no shot at it,
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Looped up, full and on off once again, Charith Asalanka strides forward and eases it towards long off for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Dunith Wellalage, Flighted, full and around off, Dunith Wellalage drives it towards deep point for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Dunith Wellalage, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Dunith Wellalage, Floated, full and on off, Dunith Wellalage pushes it towards short covers,
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Tossed up on off, Charith Asalanka drives the ball in front of long off, single taken.
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, Back of a length and outside off, angling away, Dunith Wellalage looks to cut it away but misses.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Pitched up this time on middle and leg, Charith Asalanka tucks the ball to the deep square leg region for a single.
Dunith Wellalage is the new man in.Â
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, ! DRAGGED ON! Mitchell Starc strikes straightaway after the rain stoppage! A break in play once again proves to be useful for the fielding side.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, Mitchell Starc starts with a full delivery after the break, angling in, Dhananjaya de Silva turns it towards short mid-wicket.
We are all set for the restart.
UPDATE - 5.01 pm IST (11.31 am GMT) - There is positive news coming from the middle as the covers are being peeled off now. The two umpires walk out to the ground to check on the outfield while the super-soppers are working around as well. The wait should not be long.
UPDATE - 4.42 pm IST (11.12 am GMT) - Oh, dear! The clouds have opened up and it has started to drizzle. The ground staff come charging in with the covers and David Warner helps them get the covers on quickly. The square has been completely covered but let's hope that this is just a passing shower. Stay tuned for further updates.Â
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Looped up, full and on middle, Charith Asalanka tucks it through mid-wicket for one.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, Flatter, short and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva moves back and punches it towards long on for another run.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Tossing the ball up, low full toss, Charith Asalanka drives the ball to long-on for a run.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, Tossed up, full and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva eases it towards long on for a single.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, ! Lovely shot!
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Overpitched and on middle, Charith Asalanka drives it firmly wide of mid on but the fielder there dives to his right to gather it.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, This is on a good length and just around off, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to tap it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls to the off side.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short ball above middle, Dhananjaya de Silva camping back,opening the bat's plate to pointÂ
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Wide!
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Length ball outside off, Charith Asalanka leaves the ball not taking any risk.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short and turning away, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva dabs it from the crease to point.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, No run.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, No run.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, Tossed up on the middle, De Silva camps back and drives the ball to mid-wicket
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, No run.
Who walks out?
Adam Zampa to Sadeera Samarawickrama, ! Given LBW! Sadeera Samarawickrama thinks about it and goes for the review. Floats it up, full and on middle and leg, Sadeera Samarawickrama plays for the leg break but the ball skids on and keeps straight. Gets pinged on the front pad and up goes the finger. The front on replays show that ball has passed close to the bat.Â
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, Length ball, around off, Asalanka defends the ball to the covers.
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Pat Cummins to Sadeera Samarawickrama, 1 run.
Drinks! Australia have made an excellent comeback in the match by picking three wickets in quick succession. They will look to put more pressure on the new batters now while Sri Lanka will be hoping for another partnership. An exciting phase of cricket awaits us. Also, Charith Asalanka is the next man in.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Mendis, ! c David Warner b Adam Zampa.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Mendis, Looped again on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis blocks the ball to the bowler.
Adam Zampa to Sadeera Samarawickrama, 1 run.
Adam Zampa to Sadeera Samarawickrama, Four!
Adam Zampa to Kusal Mendis, Skidding on, short and on middle, the ball keeps low as well, Kusal Mendis adjusts well and pulls it in front of square for a single.Â
Adam Zampa to Sadeera Samarawickrama, Looped, on the middle and off, Sadeera Samarawickrama plays the ball to the covers on his back
Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, Quick bumper at a steep height, on off, Kusal Mendis ducks and lets the ball pass.Â
Pat Cummins to Sadeera Samarawickrama, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Sadeera Samarawickrama, No run.
Pat Cummins to Sadeera Samarawickrama, No run.
Sadeera Samarawickrama comes out to the middle now.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, ! b Pat Cummins.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, on off, Kusal Perera keeps it out off the front foot.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, Much closer to off, on a back of a length, Kusal Perera steers with an open bat face but picks out backward point.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, Four!
Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, ! Quality shot!Â
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, on middle, Kusal Perera prods forward and keeps it out on the off side.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Mendis, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Four!
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Four!
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Kusal Mendis walks out to bat at number 3.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, ! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Pat Cummins gets the breakthrough for Australia!Â
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Four!
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Rolls his fingers over the ball and serves it fuller in length, on off, Pathum Nissanka waits for the ball to arrive and steers it towards backward point.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Pitched up by Cummins from over the wicket, on off, Pathum Nissanka drives firmly with a straight bat but picks out mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Into the wicket by Hazlewood, over middle, Pathum Nissanka swivels in the crease and pulls it a bit aerially towards deep backward square leg for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, ! Cut away with ease! Hazlewood offers width, short and outside off, Pathum Nissanka hangs on the back foot and frees his arms. Cuts it hard and wide of backward point for a boundary.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, 2 runs.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Quicker, short and on off, Kusal Perera stays back and pushes it towards short covers.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, FIFTY FOR NISSANKA! Back-to-back fifties for him and he has continued his good form against the Aussies. Now, both openers will look to convert these into big ones. This is floated, full and on middle, turning in, Pathum Nissanka clips it through square leg for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, full and on off, Kusal Perera prods forward and defends it on the front foot.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Goes short this time, on middle, Pathum Nissanka flicks it off the back foot towards deep mid-wicket for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Flatter, full and on off, Kusal Perera tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, 2 Byes.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Another slower delivery, length again, on middle, Pathum Nissanka dead-bats it down the pitch.
Marcus Stoinis to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Marcus Stoinis to Kusal Perera, ! FIFTY FOR PERERA! This has been a lovely knock from him and he gets his first half-century in this competition.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Fuller one and on middle, Pathum Nissanka keeps it out to the leg side.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Goes short and around off, Kusal Perera moves back and pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, No run.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Wide!
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Slower through the air, on middle, Kusal Perera looks to work it away but gets an leading edge towards short thrid man.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, full and around off, Kusal Perera slices it in the air but manages to get enough power to go over extra cover for a couple of runs.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, Floated, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka drills it towards long off for a single.
Halt! Kusal Perera has taken a blow near the badge of his helmet and looks shaken by it. Two physios are out, performing the concussion assessment and this does not look good for Perera. Right then, he seems fine to continue despite the initial scare and we are all good to go now.Â
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, Short and around off, Pathum Nissanka moves back and punches it towards short covers.
Marcus Stoinis to Kusal Perera, No run.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Fantastic effort in the field!
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, On a length and on middle, angling in, Pathum Nissanka pats it down towards short mid-wicket.
Marcus Stoinis to Kusal Perera, A slower one now, full and on leg, Kusal Perera works it through backward square leg for a run.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Marcus Stoinis begins with a short delivery, on middle, Pathum Nissanka pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Floated, full and on middle, Kusal Perera turns it wide of square leg and takes a few steps forward for the run but is sent back, Marnus Labuschagne hits the stumps at the batter's end but Perera is well in. The replay shows the same.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, No run.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Short again and around leg, Kusal Perera moves back and clips it towards square leg.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, A bit short now, on off, angling away, Kusal Perera keeps it out to the off side.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Four!
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, 2 runs.
Drinks break! This has been a solid start for Sri Lanka. Both Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera have looked at ease in the middle and are laying a solid foundation. As far as Australia are concerned, they have bowled too full and too straight at times, which has resulted in them conceding the boundaries. Adam Zampa hasn't started well but will have to come back strong and provide a breakthrough for his side.Â
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Flatter delivery, short but down the leg side, Kusal Perera looks to pull it away but misses. It is called a wide.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, A full toss now, on middle, Kusal Perera drills it well wide of mid on but Glenn Maxwell runs to his right quickly and dives to make a brilliant stop. They cross.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, On a length and around off, Pathum Nissanka pushes it towards mid off.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Mitchell Starc loses his line and serves this full and down the leg side, Kusal Perera leaves it alone. Wided.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Fuller one and around off, Pathum Nissanka drives it towards mid off for a quick single.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, A googly now, on middle, turning in, Pathum Nissanka watches it through and punches it towards long on for one.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, Floated, full and on off, Pathum Nissanka drives it straight to short covers.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, ! Powered away!
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, Flatter, full and outside off, Pathum Nissanka leaves it alone.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, ! Pathum Nissanka greets Adam Zampa with a boundary! Zampa starts with a short delivery and around off, Pathum Nissanka rocks back quickly and slaps it wide of mid on for a boundary.
A change in bowling as Adam Zampa comes on to bowl, replacing Glenn Maxwell.Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Mitchell Starc bangs this short and around off, Pathum Nissanka pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for another run.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Pitched up and around leg, Kusal Perera flicks it uppishly but safely towards deep square leg for a run.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, ! Easy pickings!
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Nice change of pace! Starc bowls this fuller and on off, slower one, Kusal Perera is early into his defensive push and misses it completely.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, On a length and around off, Pathum Nissanka runs it down to third man for a single.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Darts this one full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka knocks it towards long on for one more.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Flatter, short and around leg, Kusal Perera flicks it off the back foot towards backward square leg for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Shorter in length and outside off, Kusal Perera rocks back and cuts it hard towards the deep point fence where David Warner covers a lot of ground to his right and dives to keep it inside. Two runs taken.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, full and on middle, Kusal Perera clips it through square leg for a single.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Pat Cummins gets the bouncer right this time, on middle, Pathum Nissanka gets a bit hurried as he mistimes his pull shot wide of mid-wicket.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, Tries to go short but this one keeps a bit low, on middle, Kusal Perera heaves it towards fine leg for a run.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, ! Fine shot! Pat Cummins lands this back of a length and outside off, Pathum Nissanka gets on top of the bounce well and crunches it through point for a boundary.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Pulls his length back this time, on middle again, Pathum Nissanka keeps it out down the pitch.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Powerplay 2! Australia can now have up to 4 players outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, ! Not in control but Kusal Perera has a boundary! Tossed up, on middle, Kusal Perera gets down and goes for the sweep. He fails to roll his wrist and the extra bounce results in a top edge that goes over the keeper and wide of short fine leg for a boundary.Â
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, 2 runs.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, A bit too straight, on a back of a length, on the pads, Kusal Perera nurdles it in front of square on the leg side for a run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, ! A healthy deviation but a chance nonetheless!Â
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Leg bye.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Keeps it short, on middle, Pathum Nissanka punches it to the right of mid on and calls his partner for a single.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Much better! Turning in, short and on off, Pathum Nissanka makes room to cut it away on the off side but the ball spins in and hits the splice of the bat.Â
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Wide!
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, At the batter, on a good length, Kusal Perera tucks it from the crease in front of square leg. He wants a single but gets sent back by his partner.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, On a hard length, on off, Kusal Perera stands tall to punch it through the off side. He gets an inside edge that rolls on the leg side.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, Gets this one to angle away, closer to off, on a good length, Kusal Perera shapes to cut but the ball is too close to cut and he gets beaten by the bounce on this occasion.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, WIDE! Tries to go full but hurls it down leg, Kusal Perera looks to help it fine but misses out. Wided.Â
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, ! Kusal Perera greets Pat Cummins with a boundary! Starts off with a loosened, on a length, but down leg, Kusal Perera gets inside the line and tickles it towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.Â
Just In - It is now official that cricket will be part of the 2028 Olympics which will be held in Los Angeles.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, ! Short and punished!Â
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Slanting in, on middle and leg, on a good length, Pathum Nissanka gets on top of the bounce and whips it in front of square. The mid-wicket fielder performs the chase and pulls it back as the batters run three.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, In the channel on off, on a back of a length, Pathum Nissanka stands tall and punches it away on the up to cover.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Bangs it in short, at 143.2 clicks, on off, Pathum Nissanka gets on his toes to play it fine on the off side. Bottom edges the ball down to third man for a single.Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Pulls the length back and bowls it on middle, Pathum Nissanka camps back and hops to defend with a straight bat.Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, ! Straight as an arrow!Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Near the tramline on off, full as well, Pathum Nissanka goes for an expansive drive but toe-ends his shot a bit uppishly towards mid off.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, That has taken off!Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Four!
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, ! Width offered and Kusal Perera cashes in!Â
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Hits the back of a length, on middle, Kusal Perera shapes to nudge it away on the leg side but misses. The ball jags back in a bit and catches Perera high on the thigh pad.Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Starc drifts on the pads this time, full in length, Pathum Nissanka plays it right under his eyes and turns this one behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Angles it into the batter, on a length, Kusal Perera closes the bat face slightly and helps it down to fine leg for a single.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Good shot for no run!
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Honing in at the stumps, on a length, Kusal Perera presents the full face of the bat and pats it back to Mitchell Starc.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Beauty! Starc dishes out a full delivery, shaping away, outside off, Kusal Perera gets lured into the drive and pushes away from the body. The ball goes away and zips past the outside edge of his bat.Â
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length again, on off and middle, Pathum Nissanka gets behind the line and defends it on the off side without much of a fuss.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Hazlewood hurls it full and a hint of away shape, outside off, Pathum Nissanka with a high elbow, leans and drives, only to find mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, In the channel on off, on a back of a length, Pathum Nissanka shuffles and dabs it off the back foot towards backward point.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Full again but down the leg side, Kusal Perera looks to flick but misses as the ball goes off his pads towards square leg. A leg bye is taken.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Goes a bit fuller this time, on middle, Kusal Perera gets behind the line of it and blocks it down the pitch.
Josh Hazlewood to share the attack.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Josh Hazlewood begins with a hard-length delivery around off, shaping further away, Kusal Perera lifts his bat and lets it go to the keeper.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, ! Clipped away with ease!Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Four!
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Full and a bit of late swing in, on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka accounts for the inward movement and pushes it to mid on.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Wide!
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Right on the money! A huge shout for LBW but it is turned down. After a deliberation with the keeper, Pat Cummins goes for the review.Â
Done with the pre-match formalities! The Australian players can be seen in a huddle where Steven Smith is giving a pep talk. Now they spread out to take their respective field positions. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera are the two openers for Sri Lanka. Mitchell Starc has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...
The two umpires walk out to the middle followed by the players of both sides who line up for their respective national anthems. It will be Sri Lanka's first followed by the national anthem of Australia.
The captain of Australia, Pat Cummins says they would have batted first as well but this doesn't make much difference. Adds that they have had a couple of good training sessions and it is all about being fresh for each game. Informs they are unchanged.
The skipper of Sri Lanka, Kusal Mendis says that they will bat first. Mentions that the wicket will play well in the first and reckons that it will turn later. Shares that he watched the previous game between Australia and South Africa at this venue and feels that batting will be easier in the first half. Adds that they have a couple of spinners who will come into play in the second half. Informs that they have made changes to the side with Chamika Karunaratne and Lahiru Kumara coming in for
Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (C)&(WK), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne (In place of Dasun Shanaka), Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara (In place of Maheesh Theekshana), Dilshan Madushanka.
Australia (Unchanged Playing XI) - David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (WK), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (C), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.Â
TOSS - Sri Lanka have won the toss and they elected to BAT first.
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5
Australia
215/5(35.2 Overs)
... THE RUN CHASE ...
UPDATE - 6.47 pm IST (1.17 pm GMT) - Great news! The rain has stopped and the covers are off. Considering that it was just a drizzle, it should not take long for the ground staff to get the field ready for play. More promising signs as we have a start time for the Australian run chase. Play will resume at 6.55 pm IST (1.25 pm GMT).Â
Right then, Australia will be the happier of the two sides at the halfway mark. However, batting under lights isn't easy at this venue and their misfiring batting unit will have to rise to the challenge. Moreover, Australia have failed to cross the 200-run mark twice, and no Aussie batter has managed to score a fifty at this World Cup so far. Will they get the job done here? Or will Sri Lanka make a match out of this? The start of the chase will be a bit delayed as the covers are coming on
On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be disappointed with this batting effort, especially after the platform laid by the openers. After Kusal Mendis called it right and opted to put runs on the board, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera did a good job of negating the Aussie pacers. They were even helped by the bowlers missing their lines and lengths, which allowed them to ease off the early jitters. Once the movement disappeared, both openers looked at ease, and Perera carried on without any afteref
In search of early wickets, Australia's new ball pairing of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood looked to go full, but they erred by bowling too straight and leaking boundaries in the process. Pat Cummins brought himself on as the first change, but he too failed to have any impact. As was the case in the last game against South Africa, the ineffectiveness of the pacers meant Glenn Maxwell was brought into the attack inside the first powerplay. He would have managed to trap Kusal Perera in front
What's with Asian teams and their batting collapses at this World Cup? First Pakistan, and now Sri Lanka. From 157-2, Sri Lanka lost their last 8 wickets for 52 runs to be bowled out for 209. If you consider the opening wicket partnership of 125 runs, the batting story for the Lankans will look even uglier. As far as Australia are concerned, it has been a tale of two halves. They did not start well but came roaring back to roll Sri Lanka over.Â
The wind seems to have slowed and things have returned to normalcy.Â
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, ! TAKEN! Glenn Maxwell finishes things off for Australia! He tosses this one up, full and around middle, turns away a bit, Charith Asalanka goes down on one knee for the slog-sweep but the spin takes the top edge and the ball flies in the air in front of long on where Marnus Labuschagne runs forwards, settles under it and pouches it safely. Sri Lanka have been bowled out for 209!
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Tossed up, full and on off, Charith Asalanka uses his feet and chips it over extra covers for a couple of runs.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Short and on middle, Charith Asalanka flicks it off the back foot through mid-wicket but refuses the run.
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Back of a length and around off, Dilshan Madushanka gets on top to and stabs it towards point.
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Mitchell Starc continues with his fuller length, on middle, angling in again, Dilshan Madushanka once again manages to defend it out down the pitch. He still has one delivery to survive in this over.
Oh, no!Â
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Mitchell Starc bangs in a bouncer at 144 clicks but down the leg sid, Dilshan Madushanka manages to get away from the line of it. Wided.
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Another full delivery, on middle, angling in, Dilshan Madushanka gets hit bat down in time and keeps it out to the leg side.
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Pitched up, on off, angling in, Dilshan Madushanka steers it towards point.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Short of a length and on middle, Charith Asalanka looks to pull it away but toe-ends it down pitch and towards mid on.
Glenn Maxwell to Dilshan Madushanka, Flighted, full and on middle, Dilshan Madushanka turns it to the leg side.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, TURN AND BOUNCE!
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Quicker, short and outside off, Charith Asalanka looks to cut it away but misses.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Flatter, short and around off, Charith Asalanka taps it towards point.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Fires in a yorker now, on middle, Charith Asalanka digs it out to the bowler.
Uh oh! All of a sudden, the wind has picked up.Â
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, A low full toss, on off, angling in, Dilshan Madushanka manages to get some bat on it as the ball rolls towards deep point.
Mitchell Starc to Lahiru Kumara, ! TIMBER! Starc doing Starc things!Â
Mitchell Starc to Lahiru Kumara, Quick bumper, on middle, Lahiru Kumara sways away out of the way quickly and lets the ball go to the keeper.Â
Powerplay 3! Australia can have five fielders outside the inner ring, but they will want to put more pressure on the batters by closing in the field. They will hope to wrap up the innings quickly now.
Mitchell Starc to Lahiru Kumara, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Lahiru Kumara, ! Streaky but crucial runs these for Sri Lanka!Â
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, On the fifth stump line, on a good length, Charith Asalanka looks to defend it with a straight bat. Gets it off the outer half of the bat to third man for a single.Â
Adam Zampa to Lahiru Kumara, Quicker through the air, short and outside off, Lahiru Kumara watches the ball all the way through and lets it go.
Adam Zampa to Lahiru Kumara, No run.
Adam Zampa to Lahiru Kumara, Looped up, on middle, Lahiru Kumara knocks it along the ground to mid off.
Adam Zampa to Lahiru Kumara, No run.
Adam Zampa to Maheesh Theekshana, ! LBW! Another googly, another wicket! Sri Lankan batters have no answers to Adam Zampa here.
Who comes in now?
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Tossed up, full and on middle, Charith Asalanka clips it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Josh Hazlewood ends the over with another good bumper, on middle, Maheesh Theekshana once again ducks underneath it.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Length again but down the leg side this time, Maheesh Theekshana leaves it alone. It is called a wide.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Josh Hazlewood lands this on a hard length and around off, Maheesh Theekshana lets it go to the keeper.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Touch fuller and on off, Maheesh Theekshana taps it straight towards point.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Josh Hazlewood bangs in a bouncer this time, on middle, Maheesh Theekshana gets hurried but ducks under it well.
Josh Hazlewood to Charith Asalanka, On a length and on off, Charith Asalanka guides it towards third man for a single.
Maheesh Theekshana walks out to bat.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Adam Zampa to Chamika Karunaratne, ! LBW! Adam Zampa strikes again! He has his third wicket of the game as Chamika Karunaratne goes back without making much impact. Zampa bowls a googly this time, full and on middle, turning in a bit, Chamika Karunaratne prods forward to defend but his bat gets stuck on his pads and he plays down the wrong line too. As a result, he gets rapped around his pads right in front of the stumps. There is a huge shout for LBW, and up goes the finger. Chamik
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Flighted, full and around off, Charith Asalanka leans on and drags it towards long off for one.
Adam Zampa to Chamika Karunaratne, Quicker one, full and on leg, Chamika Karunaratne works it through square leg for a run.
Adam Zampa to Chamika Karunaratne, No run.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Floated, full and on middle, Charith Asalanka tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, ! BANG! Charith Asalanka decides to take on Adam Zampa now! This is tossed up, full and around off, Charith Asalanka gets to the pitch of it and launches it over the long off fence for a biggie.
Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, Short of a length and around off, Chamika Karunaratne dabs it towards point and calls for the run but decides against it in the end. Only one run from the over then.
Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, Josh Hazlewood bangs in a bouncer now, sharp one too, on middle, Chamika Karunaratne ducks under it.
Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, Back of a length and around off, Chamika Karunaratne keeps it out to the off side.
Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, Goes fuller now, on middle, Chamika Karunaratne knocks it towards mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to Charith Asalanka, Length again, on off, Charith Asalanka drops it wide of short covers and scampers across for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Charith Asalanka, On a length and around off, nips away a bit, Charith Asalanka steers it towards point.
Glenn Maxwell to Chamika Karunaratne, Tossed up, around off, Chamika Karunaratne reaches out in front and clips it in front of mid-wicket.
Glenn Maxwell to Chamika Karunaratne, Flatter, full and on off, Chamika Karunaratne is solid in his defence again.
Glenn Maxwell to Chamika Karunaratne, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Chamika Karunaratne, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, On a length and on off, Charith Asalanka knocks it towards short covers.
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, ! RUN OUT! A brilliant piece of fielding and Australia gets another wicket now.
Is that out?
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, Pitches this one up but outside again, Dunith Wellalage lets it go to the keeper.
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, Short ball staright to the body lane of Dunith Wellalage, but he ducks and leaves the ball.
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, Mitchell Starc lands this on a hard length and outside off, Dunith Wellalage offers no shot at it,
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Looped up, full and on off once again, Charith Asalanka strides forward and eases it towards long off for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Dunith Wellalage, Flighted, full and around off, Dunith Wellalage drives it towards deep point for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Dunith Wellalage, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Dunith Wellalage, Floated, full and on off, Dunith Wellalage pushes it towards short covers,
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Tossed up on off, Charith Asalanka drives the ball in front of long off, single taken.
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, Back of a length and outside off, angling away, Dunith Wellalage looks to cut it away but misses.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Pitched up this time on middle and leg, Charith Asalanka tucks the ball to the deep square leg region for a single.
Dunith Wellalage is the new man in.Â
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, ! DRAGGED ON! Mitchell Starc strikes straightaway after the rain stoppage! A break in play once again proves to be useful for the fielding side.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, Mitchell Starc starts with a full delivery after the break, angling in, Dhananjaya de Silva turns it towards short mid-wicket.
We are all set for the restart.
UPDATE - 5.01 pm IST (11.31 am GMT) - There is positive news coming from the middle as the covers are being peeled off now. The two umpires walk out to the ground to check on the outfield while the super-soppers are working around as well. The wait should not be long.
UPDATE - 4.42 pm IST (11.12 am GMT) - Oh, dear! The clouds have opened up and it has started to drizzle. The ground staff come charging in with the covers and David Warner helps them get the covers on quickly. The square has been completely covered but let's hope that this is just a passing shower. Stay tuned for further updates.Â
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Looped up, full and on middle, Charith Asalanka tucks it through mid-wicket for one.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, Flatter, short and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva moves back and punches it towards long on for another run.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Tossing the ball up, low full toss, Charith Asalanka drives the ball to long-on for a run.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, Tossed up, full and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva eases it towards long on for a single.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, ! Lovely shot!
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Overpitched and on middle, Charith Asalanka drives it firmly wide of mid on but the fielder there dives to his right to gather it.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, This is on a good length and just around off, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to tap it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls to the off side.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short ball above middle, Dhananjaya de Silva camping back,opening the bat's plate to pointÂ
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Wide!
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Length ball outside off, Charith Asalanka leaves the ball not taking any risk.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short and turning away, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva dabs it from the crease to point.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, No run.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, No run.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, Tossed up on the middle, De Silva camps back and drives the ball to mid-wicket
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, No run.
Who walks out?
Adam Zampa to Sadeera Samarawickrama, ! Given LBW! Sadeera Samarawickrama thinks about it and goes for the review. Floats it up, full and on middle and leg, Sadeera Samarawickrama plays for the leg break but the ball skids on and keeps straight. Gets pinged on the front pad and up goes the finger. The front on replays show that ball has passed close to the bat.Â
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, Length ball, around off, Asalanka defends the ball to the covers.
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Pat Cummins to Sadeera Samarawickrama, 1 run.
Drinks! Australia have made an excellent comeback in the match by picking three wickets in quick succession. They will look to put more pressure on the new batters now while Sri Lanka will be hoping for another partnership. An exciting phase of cricket awaits us. Also, Charith Asalanka is the next man in.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Mendis, ! c David Warner b Adam Zampa.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Mendis, Looped again on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis blocks the ball to the bowler.
Adam Zampa to Sadeera Samarawickrama, 1 run.
Adam Zampa to Sadeera Samarawickrama, Four!
Adam Zampa to Kusal Mendis, Skidding on, short and on middle, the ball keeps low as well, Kusal Mendis adjusts well and pulls it in front of square for a single.Â
Adam Zampa to Sadeera Samarawickrama, Looped, on the middle and off, Sadeera Samarawickrama plays the ball to the covers on his back
Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, Quick bumper at a steep height, on off, Kusal Mendis ducks and lets the ball pass.Â
Pat Cummins to Sadeera Samarawickrama, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Sadeera Samarawickrama, No run.
Pat Cummins to Sadeera Samarawickrama, No run.
Sadeera Samarawickrama comes out to the middle now.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, ! b Pat Cummins.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, on off, Kusal Perera keeps it out off the front foot.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, Much closer to off, on a back of a length, Kusal Perera steers with an open bat face but picks out backward point.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, Four!
Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, ! Quality shot!Â
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, on middle, Kusal Perera prods forward and keeps it out on the off side.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Mendis, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Four!
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Four!
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Kusal Mendis walks out to bat at number 3.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, ! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Pat Cummins gets the breakthrough for Australia!Â
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Four!
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Rolls his fingers over the ball and serves it fuller in length, on off, Pathum Nissanka waits for the ball to arrive and steers it towards backward point.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Pitched up by Cummins from over the wicket, on off, Pathum Nissanka drives firmly with a straight bat but picks out mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Into the wicket by Hazlewood, over middle, Pathum Nissanka swivels in the crease and pulls it a bit aerially towards deep backward square leg for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, ! Cut away with ease! Hazlewood offers width, short and outside off, Pathum Nissanka hangs on the back foot and frees his arms. Cuts it hard and wide of backward point for a boundary.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, 2 runs.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Quicker, short and on off, Kusal Perera stays back and pushes it towards short covers.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, FIFTY FOR NISSANKA! Back-to-back fifties for him and he has continued his good form against the Aussies. Now, both openers will look to convert these into big ones. This is floated, full and on middle, turning in, Pathum Nissanka clips it through square leg for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, full and on off, Kusal Perera prods forward and defends it on the front foot.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Goes short this time, on middle, Pathum Nissanka flicks it off the back foot towards deep mid-wicket for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Flatter, full and on off, Kusal Perera tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, 2 Byes.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Another slower delivery, length again, on middle, Pathum Nissanka dead-bats it down the pitch.
Marcus Stoinis to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Marcus Stoinis to Kusal Perera, ! FIFTY FOR PERERA! This has been a lovely knock from him and he gets his first half-century in this competition.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Fuller one and on middle, Pathum Nissanka keeps it out to the leg side.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Goes short and around off, Kusal Perera moves back and pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, No run.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Wide!
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Slower through the air, on middle, Kusal Perera looks to work it away but gets an leading edge towards short thrid man.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, full and around off, Kusal Perera slices it in the air but manages to get enough power to go over extra cover for a couple of runs.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, Floated, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka drills it towards long off for a single.
Halt! Kusal Perera has taken a blow near the badge of his helmet and looks shaken by it. Two physios are out, performing the concussion assessment and this does not look good for Perera. Right then, he seems fine to continue despite the initial scare and we are all good to go now.Â
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, Short and around off, Pathum Nissanka moves back and punches it towards short covers.
Marcus Stoinis to Kusal Perera, No run.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Fantastic effort in the field!
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, On a length and on middle, angling in, Pathum Nissanka pats it down towards short mid-wicket.
Marcus Stoinis to Kusal Perera, A slower one now, full and on leg, Kusal Perera works it through backward square leg for a run.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Marcus Stoinis begins with a short delivery, on middle, Pathum Nissanka pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Floated, full and on middle, Kusal Perera turns it wide of square leg and takes a few steps forward for the run but is sent back, Marnus Labuschagne hits the stumps at the batter's end but Perera is well in. The replay shows the same.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, No run.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Short again and around leg, Kusal Perera moves back and clips it towards square leg.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, A bit short now, on off, angling away, Kusal Perera keeps it out to the off side.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Four!
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, 2 runs.
Drinks break! This has been a solid start for Sri Lanka. Both Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera have looked at ease in the middle and are laying a solid foundation. As far as Australia are concerned, they have bowled too full and too straight at times, which has resulted in them conceding the boundaries. Adam Zampa hasn't started well but will have to come back strong and provide a breakthrough for his side.Â
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Flatter delivery, short but down the leg side, Kusal Perera looks to pull it away but misses. It is called a wide.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, A full toss now, on middle, Kusal Perera drills it well wide of mid on but Glenn Maxwell runs to his right quickly and dives to make a brilliant stop. They cross.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, On a length and around off, Pathum Nissanka pushes it towards mid off.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Mitchell Starc loses his line and serves this full and down the leg side, Kusal Perera leaves it alone. Wided.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Fuller one and around off, Pathum Nissanka drives it towards mid off for a quick single.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, A googly now, on middle, turning in, Pathum Nissanka watches it through and punches it towards long on for one.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, Floated, full and on off, Pathum Nissanka drives it straight to short covers.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, ! Powered away!
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, Flatter, full and outside off, Pathum Nissanka leaves it alone.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, ! Pathum Nissanka greets Adam Zampa with a boundary! Zampa starts with a short delivery and around off, Pathum Nissanka rocks back quickly and slaps it wide of mid on for a boundary.
A change in bowling as Adam Zampa comes on to bowl, replacing Glenn Maxwell.Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Mitchell Starc bangs this short and around off, Pathum Nissanka pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for another run.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Pitched up and around leg, Kusal Perera flicks it uppishly but safely towards deep square leg for a run.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, ! Easy pickings!
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Nice change of pace! Starc bowls this fuller and on off, slower one, Kusal Perera is early into his defensive push and misses it completely.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, On a length and around off, Pathum Nissanka runs it down to third man for a single.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Darts this one full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka knocks it towards long on for one more.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Flatter, short and around leg, Kusal Perera flicks it off the back foot towards backward square leg for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Shorter in length and outside off, Kusal Perera rocks back and cuts it hard towards the deep point fence where David Warner covers a lot of ground to his right and dives to keep it inside. Two runs taken.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, full and on middle, Kusal Perera clips it through square leg for a single.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Pat Cummins gets the bouncer right this time, on middle, Pathum Nissanka gets a bit hurried as he mistimes his pull shot wide of mid-wicket.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, Tries to go short but this one keeps a bit low, on middle, Kusal Perera heaves it towards fine leg for a run.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, ! Fine shot! Pat Cummins lands this back of a length and outside off, Pathum Nissanka gets on top of the bounce well and crunches it through point for a boundary.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Pulls his length back this time, on middle again, Pathum Nissanka keeps it out down the pitch.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Powerplay 2! Australia can now have up to 4 players outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, ! Not in control but Kusal Perera has a boundary! Tossed up, on middle, Kusal Perera gets down and goes for the sweep. He fails to roll his wrist and the extra bounce results in a top edge that goes over the keeper and wide of short fine leg for a boundary.Â
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, 2 runs.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, A bit too straight, on a back of a length, on the pads, Kusal Perera nurdles it in front of square on the leg side for a run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, ! A healthy deviation but a chance nonetheless!Â
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Leg bye.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Keeps it short, on middle, Pathum Nissanka punches it to the right of mid on and calls his partner for a single.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Much better! Turning in, short and on off, Pathum Nissanka makes room to cut it away on the off side but the ball spins in and hits the splice of the bat.Â
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Wide!
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, At the batter, on a good length, Kusal Perera tucks it from the crease in front of square leg. He wants a single but gets sent back by his partner.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, On a hard length, on off, Kusal Perera stands tall to punch it through the off side. He gets an inside edge that rolls on the leg side.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, Gets this one to angle away, closer to off, on a good length, Kusal Perera shapes to cut but the ball is too close to cut and he gets beaten by the bounce on this occasion.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, WIDE! Tries to go full but hurls it down leg, Kusal Perera looks to help it fine but misses out. Wided.Â
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, ! Kusal Perera greets Pat Cummins with a boundary! Starts off with a loosened, on a length, but down leg, Kusal Perera gets inside the line and tickles it towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.Â
Just In - It is now official that cricket will be part of the 2028 Olympics which will be held in Los Angeles.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, ! Short and punished!Â
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Slanting in, on middle and leg, on a good length, Pathum Nissanka gets on top of the bounce and whips it in front of square. The mid-wicket fielder performs the chase and pulls it back as the batters run three.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, In the channel on off, on a back of a length, Pathum Nissanka stands tall and punches it away on the up to cover.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Bangs it in short, at 143.2 clicks, on off, Pathum Nissanka gets on his toes to play it fine on the off side. Bottom edges the ball down to third man for a single.Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Pulls the length back and bowls it on middle, Pathum Nissanka camps back and hops to defend with a straight bat.Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, ! Straight as an arrow!Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Near the tramline on off, full as well, Pathum Nissanka goes for an expansive drive but toe-ends his shot a bit uppishly towards mid off.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, That has taken off!Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Four!
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, ! Width offered and Kusal Perera cashes in!Â
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Hits the back of a length, on middle, Kusal Perera shapes to nudge it away on the leg side but misses. The ball jags back in a bit and catches Perera high on the thigh pad.Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Starc drifts on the pads this time, full in length, Pathum Nissanka plays it right under his eyes and turns this one behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Angles it into the batter, on a length, Kusal Perera closes the bat face slightly and helps it down to fine leg for a single.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Good shot for no run!
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Honing in at the stumps, on a length, Kusal Perera presents the full face of the bat and pats it back to Mitchell Starc.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Beauty! Starc dishes out a full delivery, shaping away, outside off, Kusal Perera gets lured into the drive and pushes away from the body. The ball goes away and zips past the outside edge of his bat.Â
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length again, on off and middle, Pathum Nissanka gets behind the line and defends it on the off side without much of a fuss.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Hazlewood hurls it full and a hint of away shape, outside off, Pathum Nissanka with a high elbow, leans and drives, only to find mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, In the channel on off, on a back of a length, Pathum Nissanka shuffles and dabs it off the back foot towards backward point.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Full again but down the leg side, Kusal Perera looks to flick but misses as the ball goes off his pads towards square leg. A leg bye is taken.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Goes a bit fuller this time, on middle, Kusal Perera gets behind the line of it and blocks it down the pitch.
Josh Hazlewood to share the attack.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Josh Hazlewood begins with a hard-length delivery around off, shaping further away, Kusal Perera lifts his bat and lets it go to the keeper.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, ! Clipped away with ease!Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Four!
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Full and a bit of late swing in, on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka accounts for the inward movement and pushes it to mid on.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Wide!
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Right on the money! A huge shout for LBW but it is turned down. After a deliberation with the keeper, Pat Cummins goes for the review.Â
Done with the pre-match formalities! The Australian players can be seen in a huddle where Steven Smith is giving a pep talk. Now they spread out to take their respective field positions. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera are the two openers for Sri Lanka. Mitchell Starc has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...
The two umpires walk out to the middle followed by the players of both sides who line up for their respective national anthems. It will be Sri Lanka's first followed by the national anthem of Australia.
The captain of Australia, Pat Cummins says they would have batted first as well but this doesn't make much difference. Adds that they have had a couple of good training sessions and it is all about being fresh for each game. Informs they are unchanged.
The skipper of Sri Lanka, Kusal Mendis says that they will bat first. Mentions that the wicket will play well in the first and reckons that it will turn later. Shares that he watched the previous game between Australia and South Africa at this venue and feels that batting will be easier in the first half. Adds that they have a couple of spinners who will come into play in the second half. Informs that they have made changes to the side with Chamika Karunaratne and Lahiru Kumara coming in for
Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (C)&(WK), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne (In place of Dasun Shanaka), Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara (In place of Maheesh Theekshana), Dilshan Madushanka.
Australia (Unchanged Playing XI) - David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (WK), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (C), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.Â
TOSS - Sri Lanka have won the toss and they elected to BAT first.
... THE RUN CHASE ...
UPDATE - 6.47 pm IST (1.17 pm GMT) - Great news! The rain has stopped and the covers are off. Considering that it was just a drizzle, it should not take long for the ground staff to get the field ready for play. More promising signs as we have a start time for the Australian run chase. Play will resume at 6.55 pm IST (1.25 pm GMT).Â
Right then, Australia will be the happier of the two sides at the halfway mark. However, batting under lights isn't easy at this venue and their misfiring batting unit will have to rise to the challenge. Moreover, Australia have failed to cross the 200-run mark twice, and no Aussie batter has managed to score a fifty at this World Cup so far. Will they get the job done here? Or will Sri Lanka make a match out of this? The start of the chase will be a bit delayed as the covers are coming on
On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be disappointed with this batting effort, especially after the platform laid by the openers. After Kusal Mendis called it right and opted to put runs on the board, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera did a good job of negating the Aussie pacers. They were even helped by the bowlers missing their lines and lengths, which allowed them to ease off the early jitters. Once the movement disappeared, both openers looked at ease, and Perera carried on without any afteref
In search of early wickets, Australia's new ball pairing of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood looked to go full, but they erred by bowling too straight and leaking boundaries in the process. Pat Cummins brought himself on as the first change, but he too failed to have any impact. As was the case in the last game against South Africa, the ineffectiveness of the pacers meant Glenn Maxwell was brought into the attack inside the first powerplay. He would have managed to trap Kusal Perera in front
What's with Asian teams and their batting collapses at this World Cup? First Pakistan, and now Sri Lanka. From 157-2, Sri Lanka lost their last 8 wickets for 52 runs to be bowled out for 209. If you consider the opening wicket partnership of 125 runs, the batting story for the Lankans will look even uglier. As far as Australia are concerned, it has been a tale of two halves. They did not start well but came roaring back to roll Sri Lanka over.Â
The wind seems to have slowed and things have returned to normalcy.Â
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, ! TAKEN! Glenn Maxwell finishes things off for Australia! He tosses this one up, full and around middle, turns away a bit, Charith Asalanka goes down on one knee for the slog-sweep but the spin takes the top edge and the ball flies in the air in front of long on where Marnus Labuschagne runs forwards, settles under it and pouches it safely. Sri Lanka have been bowled out for 209!
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Tossed up, full and on off, Charith Asalanka uses his feet and chips it over extra covers for a couple of runs.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Short and on middle, Charith Asalanka flicks it off the back foot through mid-wicket but refuses the run.
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Back of a length and around off, Dilshan Madushanka gets on top to and stabs it towards point.
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Mitchell Starc continues with his fuller length, on middle, angling in again, Dilshan Madushanka once again manages to defend it out down the pitch. He still has one delivery to survive in this over.
Oh, no!Â
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Mitchell Starc bangs in a bouncer at 144 clicks but down the leg sid, Dilshan Madushanka manages to get away from the line of it. Wided.
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Another full delivery, on middle, angling in, Dilshan Madushanka gets hit bat down in time and keeps it out to the leg side.
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, Pitched up, on off, angling in, Dilshan Madushanka steers it towards point.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Short of a length and on middle, Charith Asalanka looks to pull it away but toe-ends it down pitch and towards mid on.
Glenn Maxwell to Dilshan Madushanka, Flighted, full and on middle, Dilshan Madushanka turns it to the leg side.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, TURN AND BOUNCE!
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Quicker, short and outside off, Charith Asalanka looks to cut it away but misses.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Flatter, short and around off, Charith Asalanka taps it towards point.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Fires in a yorker now, on middle, Charith Asalanka digs it out to the bowler.
Uh oh! All of a sudden, the wind has picked up.Â
Mitchell Starc to Dilshan Madushanka, A low full toss, on off, angling in, Dilshan Madushanka manages to get some bat on it as the ball rolls towards deep point.
Mitchell Starc to Lahiru Kumara, ! TIMBER! Starc doing Starc things!Â
Mitchell Starc to Lahiru Kumara, Quick bumper, on middle, Lahiru Kumara sways away out of the way quickly and lets the ball go to the keeper.Â
Powerplay 3! Australia can have five fielders outside the inner ring, but they will want to put more pressure on the batters by closing in the field. They will hope to wrap up the innings quickly now.
Mitchell Starc to Lahiru Kumara, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Lahiru Kumara, ! Streaky but crucial runs these for Sri Lanka!Â
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, On the fifth stump line, on a good length, Charith Asalanka looks to defend it with a straight bat. Gets it off the outer half of the bat to third man for a single.Â
Adam Zampa to Lahiru Kumara, Quicker through the air, short and outside off, Lahiru Kumara watches the ball all the way through and lets it go.
Adam Zampa to Lahiru Kumara, No run.
Adam Zampa to Lahiru Kumara, Looped up, on middle, Lahiru Kumara knocks it along the ground to mid off.
Adam Zampa to Lahiru Kumara, No run.
Adam Zampa to Maheesh Theekshana, ! LBW! Another googly, another wicket! Sri Lankan batters have no answers to Adam Zampa here.
Who comes in now?
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Tossed up, full and on middle, Charith Asalanka clips it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Josh Hazlewood ends the over with another good bumper, on middle, Maheesh Theekshana once again ducks underneath it.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Length again but down the leg side this time, Maheesh Theekshana leaves it alone. It is called a wide.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Josh Hazlewood lands this on a hard length and around off, Maheesh Theekshana lets it go to the keeper.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Touch fuller and on off, Maheesh Theekshana taps it straight towards point.
Josh Hazlewood to Maheesh Theekshana, Josh Hazlewood bangs in a bouncer this time, on middle, Maheesh Theekshana gets hurried but ducks under it well.
Josh Hazlewood to Charith Asalanka, On a length and on off, Charith Asalanka guides it towards third man for a single.
Maheesh Theekshana walks out to bat.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Adam Zampa to Chamika Karunaratne, ! LBW! Adam Zampa strikes again! He has his third wicket of the game as Chamika Karunaratne goes back without making much impact. Zampa bowls a googly this time, full and on middle, turning in a bit, Chamika Karunaratne prods forward to defend but his bat gets stuck on his pads and he plays down the wrong line too. As a result, he gets rapped around his pads right in front of the stumps. There is a huge shout for LBW, and up goes the finger. Chamik
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Flighted, full and around off, Charith Asalanka leans on and drags it towards long off for one.
Adam Zampa to Chamika Karunaratne, Quicker one, full and on leg, Chamika Karunaratne works it through square leg for a run.
Adam Zampa to Chamika Karunaratne, No run.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Floated, full and on middle, Charith Asalanka tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, ! BANG! Charith Asalanka decides to take on Adam Zampa now! This is tossed up, full and around off, Charith Asalanka gets to the pitch of it and launches it over the long off fence for a biggie.
Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, Short of a length and around off, Chamika Karunaratne dabs it towards point and calls for the run but decides against it in the end. Only one run from the over then.
Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, Josh Hazlewood bangs in a bouncer now, sharp one too, on middle, Chamika Karunaratne ducks under it.
Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, Back of a length and around off, Chamika Karunaratne keeps it out to the off side.
Josh Hazlewood to Chamika Karunaratne, Goes fuller now, on middle, Chamika Karunaratne knocks it towards mid on.
Josh Hazlewood to Charith Asalanka, Length again, on off, Charith Asalanka drops it wide of short covers and scampers across for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Charith Asalanka, On a length and around off, nips away a bit, Charith Asalanka steers it towards point.
Glenn Maxwell to Chamika Karunaratne, Tossed up, around off, Chamika Karunaratne reaches out in front and clips it in front of mid-wicket.
Glenn Maxwell to Chamika Karunaratne, Flatter, full and on off, Chamika Karunaratne is solid in his defence again.
Glenn Maxwell to Chamika Karunaratne, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Chamika Karunaratne, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, On a length and on off, Charith Asalanka knocks it towards short covers.
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, ! RUN OUT! A brilliant piece of fielding and Australia gets another wicket now.
Is that out?
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, Pitches this one up but outside again, Dunith Wellalage lets it go to the keeper.
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, Short ball staright to the body lane of Dunith Wellalage, but he ducks and leaves the ball.
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, Mitchell Starc lands this on a hard length and outside off, Dunith Wellalage offers no shot at it,
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Looped up, full and on off once again, Charith Asalanka strides forward and eases it towards long off for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Dunith Wellalage, Flighted, full and around off, Dunith Wellalage drives it towards deep point for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Dunith Wellalage, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Dunith Wellalage, Floated, full and on off, Dunith Wellalage pushes it towards short covers,
Glenn Maxwell to Charith Asalanka, Tossed up on off, Charith Asalanka drives the ball in front of long off, single taken.
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, Back of a length and outside off, angling away, Dunith Wellalage looks to cut it away but misses.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Pitched up this time on middle and leg, Charith Asalanka tucks the ball to the deep square leg region for a single.
Dunith Wellalage is the new man in.Â
Mitchell Starc to Dunith Wellalage, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, ! DRAGGED ON! Mitchell Starc strikes straightaway after the rain stoppage! A break in play once again proves to be useful for the fielding side.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, Mitchell Starc starts with a full delivery after the break, angling in, Dhananjaya de Silva turns it towards short mid-wicket.
We are all set for the restart.
UPDATE - 5.01 pm IST (11.31 am GMT) - There is positive news coming from the middle as the covers are being peeled off now. The two umpires walk out to the ground to check on the outfield while the super-soppers are working around as well. The wait should not be long.
UPDATE - 4.42 pm IST (11.12 am GMT) - Oh, dear! The clouds have opened up and it has started to drizzle. The ground staff come charging in with the covers and David Warner helps them get the covers on quickly. The square has been completely covered but let's hope that this is just a passing shower. Stay tuned for further updates.Â
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Looped up, full and on middle, Charith Asalanka tucks it through mid-wicket for one.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, Flatter, short and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva moves back and punches it towards long on for another run.
Adam Zampa to Charith Asalanka, Tossing the ball up, low full toss, Charith Asalanka drives the ball to long-on for a run.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, Tossed up, full and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva eases it towards long on for a single.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, ! Lovely shot!
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Overpitched and on middle, Charith Asalanka drives it firmly wide of mid on but the fielder there dives to his right to gather it.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, This is on a good length and just around off, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to tap it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls to the off side.
Mitchell Starc to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short ball above middle, Dhananjaya de Silva camping back,opening the bat's plate to pointÂ
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Wide!
Mitchell Starc to Charith Asalanka, Length ball outside off, Charith Asalanka leaves the ball not taking any risk.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, Short and turning away, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva dabs it from the crease to point.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, No run.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, No run.
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, Tossed up on the middle, De Silva camps back and drives the ball to mid-wicket
Adam Zampa to Dhananjaya de Silva, No run.
Who walks out?
Adam Zampa to Sadeera Samarawickrama, ! Given LBW! Sadeera Samarawickrama thinks about it and goes for the review. Floats it up, full and on middle and leg, Sadeera Samarawickrama plays for the leg break but the ball skids on and keeps straight. Gets pinged on the front pad and up goes the finger. The front on replays show that ball has passed close to the bat.Â
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, Length ball, around off, Asalanka defends the ball to the covers.
Pat Cummins to Charith Asalanka, No run.
Pat Cummins to Sadeera Samarawickrama, 1 run.
Drinks! Australia have made an excellent comeback in the match by picking three wickets in quick succession. They will look to put more pressure on the new batters now while Sri Lanka will be hoping for another partnership. An exciting phase of cricket awaits us. Also, Charith Asalanka is the next man in.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Mendis, ! c David Warner b Adam Zampa.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Mendis, Looped again on middle and leg, Kusal Mendis blocks the ball to the bowler.
Adam Zampa to Sadeera Samarawickrama, 1 run.
Adam Zampa to Sadeera Samarawickrama, Four!
Adam Zampa to Kusal Mendis, Skidding on, short and on middle, the ball keeps low as well, Kusal Mendis adjusts well and pulls it in front of square for a single.Â
Adam Zampa to Sadeera Samarawickrama, Looped, on the middle and off, Sadeera Samarawickrama plays the ball to the covers on his back
Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, Quick bumper at a steep height, on off, Kusal Mendis ducks and lets the ball pass.Â
Pat Cummins to Sadeera Samarawickrama, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Sadeera Samarawickrama, No run.
Pat Cummins to Sadeera Samarawickrama, No run.
Sadeera Samarawickrama comes out to the middle now.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, ! b Pat Cummins.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, on off, Kusal Perera keeps it out off the front foot.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, Much closer to off, on a back of a length, Kusal Perera steers with an open bat face but picks out backward point.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, Four!
Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, ! Quality shot!Â
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, on middle, Kusal Perera prods forward and keeps it out on the off side.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Mendis, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Four!
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Four!
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Mendis, 1 run.
Kusal Mendis walks out to bat at number 3.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, ! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Pat Cummins gets the breakthrough for Australia!Â
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Four!
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Rolls his fingers over the ball and serves it fuller in length, on off, Pathum Nissanka waits for the ball to arrive and steers it towards backward point.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Pitched up by Cummins from over the wicket, on off, Pathum Nissanka drives firmly with a straight bat but picks out mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Into the wicket by Hazlewood, over middle, Pathum Nissanka swivels in the crease and pulls it a bit aerially towards deep backward square leg for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, ! Cut away with ease! Hazlewood offers width, short and outside off, Pathum Nissanka hangs on the back foot and frees his arms. Cuts it hard and wide of backward point for a boundary.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, 2 runs.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Quicker, short and on off, Kusal Perera stays back and pushes it towards short covers.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, FIFTY FOR NISSANKA! Back-to-back fifties for him and he has continued his good form against the Aussies. Now, both openers will look to convert these into big ones. This is floated, full and on middle, turning in, Pathum Nissanka clips it through square leg for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, full and on off, Kusal Perera prods forward and defends it on the front foot.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Goes short this time, on middle, Pathum Nissanka flicks it off the back foot towards deep mid-wicket for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Flatter, full and on off, Kusal Perera tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, 2 Byes.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Another slower delivery, length again, on middle, Pathum Nissanka dead-bats it down the pitch.
Marcus Stoinis to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Marcus Stoinis to Kusal Perera, ! FIFTY FOR PERERA! This has been a lovely knock from him and he gets his first half-century in this competition.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Fuller one and on middle, Pathum Nissanka keeps it out to the leg side.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Goes short and around off, Kusal Perera moves back and pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, No run.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Wide!
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Slower through the air, on middle, Kusal Perera looks to work it away but gets an leading edge towards short thrid man.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, full and around off, Kusal Perera slices it in the air but manages to get enough power to go over extra cover for a couple of runs.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, Floated, full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka drills it towards long off for a single.
Halt! Kusal Perera has taken a blow near the badge of his helmet and looks shaken by it. Two physios are out, performing the concussion assessment and this does not look good for Perera. Right then, he seems fine to continue despite the initial scare and we are all good to go now.Â
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, Short and around off, Pathum Nissanka moves back and punches it towards short covers.
Marcus Stoinis to Kusal Perera, No run.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Fantastic effort in the field!
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, On a length and on middle, angling in, Pathum Nissanka pats it down towards short mid-wicket.
Marcus Stoinis to Kusal Perera, A slower one now, full and on leg, Kusal Perera works it through backward square leg for a run.
Marcus Stoinis to Pathum Nissanka, Marcus Stoinis begins with a short delivery, on middle, Pathum Nissanka pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Floated, full and on middle, Kusal Perera turns it wide of square leg and takes a few steps forward for the run but is sent back, Marnus Labuschagne hits the stumps at the batter's end but Perera is well in. The replay shows the same.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, No run.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Short again and around leg, Kusal Perera moves back and clips it towards square leg.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, A bit short now, on off, angling away, Kusal Perera keeps it out to the off side.
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Four!
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, 2 runs.
Drinks break! This has been a solid start for Sri Lanka. Both Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera have looked at ease in the middle and are laying a solid foundation. As far as Australia are concerned, they have bowled too full and too straight at times, which has resulted in them conceding the boundaries. Adam Zampa hasn't started well but will have to come back strong and provide a breakthrough for his side.Â
Adam Zampa to Kusal Perera, Flatter delivery, short but down the leg side, Kusal Perera looks to pull it away but misses. It is called a wide.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, A full toss now, on middle, Kusal Perera drills it well wide of mid on but Glenn Maxwell runs to his right quickly and dives to make a brilliant stop. They cross.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, On a length and around off, Pathum Nissanka pushes it towards mid off.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Mitchell Starc loses his line and serves this full and down the leg side, Kusal Perera leaves it alone. Wided.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Fuller one and around off, Pathum Nissanka drives it towards mid off for a quick single.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, A googly now, on middle, turning in, Pathum Nissanka watches it through and punches it towards long on for one.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, Floated, full and on off, Pathum Nissanka drives it straight to short covers.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, ! Powered away!
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, Flatter, full and outside off, Pathum Nissanka leaves it alone.
Adam Zampa to Pathum Nissanka, ! Pathum Nissanka greets Adam Zampa with a boundary! Zampa starts with a short delivery and around off, Pathum Nissanka rocks back quickly and slaps it wide of mid on for a boundary.
A change in bowling as Adam Zampa comes on to bowl, replacing Glenn Maxwell.Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Mitchell Starc bangs this short and around off, Pathum Nissanka pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for another run.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Pitched up and around leg, Kusal Perera flicks it uppishly but safely towards deep square leg for a run.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, ! Easy pickings!
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Nice change of pace! Starc bowls this fuller and on off, slower one, Kusal Perera is early into his defensive push and misses it completely.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, On a length and around off, Pathum Nissanka runs it down to third man for a single.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Darts this one full and on middle, Pathum Nissanka knocks it towards long on for one more.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Flatter, short and around leg, Kusal Perera flicks it off the back foot towards backward square leg for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Shorter in length and outside off, Kusal Perera rocks back and cuts it hard towards the deep point fence where David Warner covers a lot of ground to his right and dives to keep it inside. Two runs taken.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Tossed up, full and on middle, Kusal Perera clips it through square leg for a single.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Pat Cummins gets the bouncer right this time, on middle, Pathum Nissanka gets a bit hurried as he mistimes his pull shot wide of mid-wicket.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, Tries to go short but this one keeps a bit low, on middle, Kusal Perera heaves it towards fine leg for a run.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, ! Fine shot! Pat Cummins lands this back of a length and outside off, Pathum Nissanka gets on top of the bounce well and crunches it through point for a boundary.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, Pulls his length back this time, on middle again, Pathum Nissanka keeps it out down the pitch.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Powerplay 2! Australia can now have up to 4 players outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, ! Not in control but Kusal Perera has a boundary! Tossed up, on middle, Kusal Perera gets down and goes for the sweep. He fails to roll his wrist and the extra bounce results in a top edge that goes over the keeper and wide of short fine leg for a boundary.Â
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, 2 runs.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, A bit too straight, on a back of a length, on the pads, Kusal Perera nurdles it in front of square on the leg side for a run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Pat Cummins to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, ! A healthy deviation but a chance nonetheless!Â
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Glenn Maxwell to Kusal Perera, Leg bye.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Keeps it short, on middle, Pathum Nissanka punches it to the right of mid on and calls his partner for a single.
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Much better! Turning in, short and on off, Pathum Nissanka makes room to cut it away on the off side but the ball spins in and hits the splice of the bat.Â
Glenn Maxwell to Pathum Nissanka, Wide!
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, At the batter, on a good length, Kusal Perera tucks it from the crease in front of square leg. He wants a single but gets sent back by his partner.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, On a hard length, on off, Kusal Perera stands tall to punch it through the off side. He gets an inside edge that rolls on the leg side.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, Gets this one to angle away, closer to off, on a good length, Kusal Perera shapes to cut but the ball is too close to cut and he gets beaten by the bounce on this occasion.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, WIDE! Tries to go full but hurls it down leg, Kusal Perera looks to help it fine but misses out. Wided.Â
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, No run.
Pat Cummins to Kusal Perera, ! Kusal Perera greets Pat Cummins with a boundary! Starts off with a loosened, on a length, but down leg, Kusal Perera gets inside the line and tickles it towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.Â
Just In - It is now official that cricket will be part of the 2028 Olympics which will be held in Los Angeles.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, 1 run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, ! Short and punished!Â
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Slanting in, on middle and leg, on a good length, Pathum Nissanka gets on top of the bounce and whips it in front of square. The mid-wicket fielder performs the chase and pulls it back as the batters run three.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, In the channel on off, on a back of a length, Pathum Nissanka stands tall and punches it away on the up to cover.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Bangs it in short, at 143.2 clicks, on off, Pathum Nissanka gets on his toes to play it fine on the off side. Bottom edges the ball down to third man for a single.Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Pulls the length back and bowls it on middle, Pathum Nissanka camps back and hops to defend with a straight bat.Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, ! Straight as an arrow!Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Near the tramline on off, full as well, Pathum Nissanka goes for an expansive drive but toe-ends his shot a bit uppishly towards mid off.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, That has taken off!Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Four!
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, ! Width offered and Kusal Perera cashes in!Â
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Hits the back of a length, on middle, Kusal Perera shapes to nudge it away on the leg side but misses. The ball jags back in a bit and catches Perera high on the thigh pad.Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Starc drifts on the pads this time, full in length, Pathum Nissanka plays it right under his eyes and turns this one behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Angles it into the batter, on a length, Kusal Perera closes the bat face slightly and helps it down to fine leg for a single.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Good shot for no run!
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Honing in at the stumps, on a length, Kusal Perera presents the full face of the bat and pats it back to Mitchell Starc.
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, Beauty! Starc dishes out a full delivery, shaping away, outside off, Kusal Perera gets lured into the drive and pushes away from the body. The ball goes away and zips past the outside edge of his bat.Â
Mitchell Starc to Kusal Perera, No run.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length again, on off and middle, Pathum Nissanka gets behind the line and defends it on the off side without much of a fuss.Â
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, Hazlewood hurls it full and a hint of away shape, outside off, Pathum Nissanka with a high elbow, leans and drives, only to find mid off.
Josh Hazlewood to Pathum Nissanka, In the channel on off, on a back of a length, Pathum Nissanka shuffles and dabs it off the back foot towards backward point.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Full again but down the leg side, Kusal Perera looks to flick but misses as the ball goes off his pads towards square leg. A leg bye is taken.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Goes a bit fuller this time, on middle, Kusal Perera gets behind the line of it and blocks it down the pitch.
Josh Hazlewood to share the attack.
Josh Hazlewood to Kusal Perera, Josh Hazlewood begins with a hard-length delivery around off, shaping further away, Kusal Perera lifts his bat and lets it go to the keeper.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, ! Clipped away with ease!Â
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Four!
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Full and a bit of late swing in, on middle and leg, Pathum Nissanka accounts for the inward movement and pushes it to mid on.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Wide!
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, No run.
Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, Right on the money! A huge shout for LBW but it is turned down. After a deliberation with the keeper, Pat Cummins goes for the review.Â
Done with the pre-match formalities! The Australian players can be seen in a huddle where Steven Smith is giving a pep talk. Now they spread out to take their respective field positions. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera are the two openers for Sri Lanka. Mitchell Starc has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...
The two umpires walk out to the middle followed by the players of both sides who line up for their respective national anthems. It will be Sri Lanka's first followed by the national anthem of Australia.
The captain of Australia, Pat Cummins says they would have batted first as well but this doesn't make much difference. Adds that they have had a couple of good training sessions and it is all about being fresh for each game. Informs they are unchanged.
The skipper of Sri Lanka, Kusal Mendis says that they will bat first. Mentions that the wicket will play well in the first and reckons that it will turn later. Shares that he watched the previous game between Australia and South Africa at this venue and feels that batting will be easier in the first half. Adds that they have a couple of spinners who will come into play in the second half. Informs that they have made changes to the side with Chamika Karunaratne and Lahiru Kumara coming in for
Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (C)&(WK), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne (In place of Dasun Shanaka), Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara (In place of Maheesh Theekshana), Dilshan Madushanka.
Australia (Unchanged Playing XI) - David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (WK), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (C), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.Â
TOSS - Sri Lanka have won the toss and they elected to BAT first.