Match Result: Australia beat Sri Lanka by 366 runs
Batsman
Status
R
B
4s
6s
Kasun Rajitha
Batting
2
14
0
0
Tim Paine is handed the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy and he celebrates with the entire team. A sight many Australian fans would have been craving to see. Sri Lanka have plenty of work to do. They travel to South Africa for another test against quality pace bowling. The Kangaroos travel to India now for some white-ball cricket. We enjoyed having your company for this one. Hope you enjoyed ours. There's plenty of cricketing action coming up. See you for that. Cheers!
Australia captain, Tim Paine, says it's a good way to finish the summer as this group has been working hard and they are seeing the results now. States that it doesn't matter what the wicket's like when you have quality batsmen in the team. Applauds his pacers and spinners for bowling as a unit and getting the job done. Feels that they are getting the rewards for their hard work which is pleasing to see. Ends by thanking the Sri Lankan team for coming out to Australia and playing in these difficult conditions and also thanks the crowd, the management and the sponsors for sticking by them as the last 12 months have been quite difficult.
Sri Lanka captain, Dinesh Chandimal, says they were outplayed as a team in all departments. Credits Australia for playing the way they did throughout the series. Reckons that having several injuries to key players didn't help but that's part of the game and they have to look at others now to step up. Continues saying that they are a young team which is still learning on how to play in such conditions. Hopes to do well in South Africa now.
Man of the Series, Pat Cummins, says he's pretty happy with how the summer went personally. Adds that after the India loss, he had a couple of weeks off so that helped. Feels that the wicket at the 'Gabba under the lights with the pink ball was amazing. Continues saying that the Burns-Head partnership really set it all up. Ends by saying that there's plenty of time left for the Ashes, so there are plenty of guys who can take heart from this and look forward to that.
Man of the Match, Mitchell Starc, says he tried to forget everything and bowl as fast as he could. Adds that the wicket slowed down a bit but he managed. States that they had an idea about what to expect here and the momentum from the win in Brisbane really helped. Reckons that this was the kind of game they were searching for all summer and is happy they ended the season on a high.
Sri Lanka have had a match and a series to forget. Yes, admittedly, they have had important players ruled out due to injuries, but the ones who came in should have put in a better performance at the very least. The inexperience with the ball showed, but even the batting department couldn't make anything happen, in both innings. The fact that they had only one 50-run stand in the whole Test should say everything in itself. The presentation will be coming up in a short while.
It was the return of the king in this match. Mitchell Starc announced his presence after having a tough summer. He led the charge with a 5-wicket haul in each innings and steamrolled the Lankan batting order. He was well supported by the others. Everyone not only bowled well, but bowled with intent and purpose and never let the visitors come into this game at any point.
Perfect way to cap off the summer for Australia. They bag their first Test series win since the Ashes and will be mighty pleased with it. No better way to do it than a collective effort. The hosts were dominating in this match right from the start. They put a daunting total on the board in the first innings, 534 to be precise, on the back of centuries from Burns, Head and Patterson, and the 308-run stand between the first two. Then, they bowled the visitors out for 215. Didn't enforce the follow-on, gave their bowlers a rest, piled on more runs and set a target of 516 courtesy a Khawaja ton and Head fifty. After that, they once more bundled the Lankans up for under 150.
50.6OUT! A 10-wicket haul for Mitchell Starc. He's back! Incredible bowling display. Gets to the milestone in typical fashion. Comes from wide of the crease and fires the yorker on middle, too good for Fernando who can't do anything about it. Smiles and handshakes all around, the people in the stadium erupt in joy. The team needed it, the crowd needed it. A good feeling all around. AUSTRALIA WIN BY 366 RUNS AND CLEANSWEEP SRI LANKA 2-0!
50.5Full and down leg, the batter looks to flick but misses.
50.4Dear lord! Starc is baffled, Paine is shocked, everyone around has their jaw dropped. Nobody can believe how that's not take the off stump. It's actually flicked the bail on its way back and still nothing. Unbelievable. Length delivery around off, Fernando hangs his bat out and the ball goes agonizingly close past the off stick.
50.3Outside off with a hint of shape away. Fernando plays and misses.
50.2Coming in at first, but then straightening off the seam. It goes off the edge of the bat and goes towards gully. Single taken.
50.1Fullish in length from around the wicket, shaping away late, Rajitha hangs his bat inside the line and gets beaten.
49.6Some how, in an awkward way Fernando defends the ball and see off the over. 148/9
49.5Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
49.4Back of a length delivery, Fernando gets his bat to it and the ball goes to the first slip fielder.
49.3Full on off, Fernando does well to get his bat to it.
49.2On a length outside off, Fernando looks to play at it but misses.
Vishwa Fernando walks out at number 11.
49.1OUT! Good length delivery around off, Perera goes after the push but gets an outside edge. Tim Paine behind the stump takes an easy catch. Australia just one wicket away from sealing this Test match and series.
48.6Finally the ball connects with the bat in this over. Full outside off, Kasun pushes it to the fielder at point. 148/8
48.5Good length delivery outside off, Kasun tries to play it with a straight bat but gets beaten.
48.4Once again fuller length delivery outside off, Rajitha looks to drive but does not get anywhere near the ball. Starc must be frustrated thinking how has he not edged any of these deliveries.
48.3Beaten for the third time in a row. Full outside off, Rajitha looks to push it but misses.
48.2Once again beaten. Length delivery outside off, Kasun looks to defend it but gets beaten again.
48.1Full outside off with a hint of reverse swing. Rajitha goes to push it but misses the outside edge.
47.6Sharp bouncer, on middle stump, Dilruwan barely gets out of the line of fire. Wow. 148/8
47.5Short of a good length around off, kept out safely.
47.4The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.
47.3Bumper on middle and leg, Kasun ducks and just about manages to avoid it.
47.2Back of a length just around off, kept out off the back foot.
47.1Beaten! Good length delivery in the channel outside off, Rajitha feels for it but fails to connect.
46.6Outside off, Perera does not disturb that and leaves it alone. 147/8
46.5Good length delivery outside off, Dilruwan pushes it to the fielder at point.
46.4SAFE. There was no bat in it and Starc was right. Length delivery on the pads, Perera looks to flick it but it brushes off his pads. Tim Paine appeals but Starc walks back. With only 2 wickets remaining, Paine decides to opt for the review. Hot Spot shows there was nothing off the bat. Review lost.
Tim Paine thinks there is a feather in it, Starc thinks otherwise. The skipper goes for the review and it looked there was nothing off the bat.
46.3The batsman defends it from within the crease.
46.2Good length delivery on the stumps, Perera defends it.
46.1FOUR! Back of a length delivery outside off, looks to defend it but gets an outside edge which flies through the vacant gully area for a boundary.
Mitchell Starc back on.
45.6Slightly fuller this time and Kasun keeps it out. 143/8
45.5On middle and leg, Rajitha defends it to start his innings.
Kasun Rajitha is the new man in.
45.4OUT! Pat Cummins strikes. Never in doubt, was it? Length delivery outside off, Karunaratne goes after it and gets a thick outside edge. The ball goes to the keeper and Tim Paine takes an easy catch. Only a matter of time now.
45.3Length delivery on off and middle, Chamika defends it.
45.2Shorter in length, Chamika looks to pull but misses.
45.1Slightly slower on the pads, Karunaratne looks to flick but it flicks off his pad and goes to the keeper.
Dilruwan Perera is the new man in. Pat Cummins is also back into the attack.
44.6OUT! Finally... Australia break this partnership. It's been a gritty and patient knock from Mendis, but it's come to an end. Flighted delivery outside off, Mendis drives it uppishly and it goes at a rapid pace to the fielder at short cover. Kurtis Patterson there takes a good reflex catch. Good captaincy by Tim Paine, great field placement. 143/7
44.5Outside off, Kusal leaves it.
44.4Flighted on middle and off, Kusal defends it.
44.3On off, the ball spins away after pitching. Mendis leaves it.
44.2Flighted around off, Kusal drives it straight to the fielder at mid off.
44.1Tossed up on off, Mendis defends it off his front foot.
Drinks break.
43.6Works it off his pads and places it past short leg. 143/6
43.5Loopy and full, in line of the stumps, Mendis drives it towards mid on for a run.
43.4Uses the depth of the crease to go back and work it to square leg.
43.3Takes a step out of his crease and defensively pushes it away.
43.2Lyon goes full on this occasion, so Mendis leans ahead and meets it with a straight bat.
43.1Drags the length back, outside off, Mendis rocks back and keeps it out.
42.6Throws it too far out, tempts Karunaratne and he takes the bait as well. Throws his bat at it but fails to connect as it spins away. 142/6
42.5A little too straight in line, it's worked behind square leg for an easy single.
42.4Comes forward to this flighted ball and drives it to the man at cover.
42.3The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
42.2Beaten! Absolute peach from Labuschagne. Lands the leg break on off and it turns away, Mendis goes back to defend but is beaten past the outside edge.
42.1Edged but safe. Looped up leg break outside off, Mendis chases after it and edges it towards backward point. No harm done.
41.6Turning in, it's defended off the inner half past short leg. 141/6
41.5Spinning in from a bit of a shorter length, Chamika hangs back and keeps it out.
41.4FOUR! The more he's out there, the more confident the tailender is becoming. Tossed up in the slot, Karunaratne slogs it over mid-wicket and sends it across the rope for a boundary.
41.3Knocks this down to long on and gets to the other end.
41.2Short and flat outside off, punched through the covers for a brace.
41.1SIX! Good effort from Joe Burns though, did all he could. Mendis gets low and unfurls the big slog sweep over mid-wicket. Burns at the edge of the rope, catches the ball, is going over with the momentum so throws it back in, but his foot touches the rope. Replays confirm the same.
40.6Dropped! Difficult chance, he did everything he could but just couldn't hold on. Tossed up around off, Karunaratne goes at it with hard hands and gets a thick edge. It goes to Khawaja at first slip really fast. He can't catch it on the first attempt, tries to on the second as the ball goes to his right, but he fails, even with the dive. 128/6
40.5Flights up the leg break, outside off, it turns away as Chamika blocks it off the outer half on the off side.
40.4FOUR! High full toss on the stumps, Karunaratne heaves it through mid-wicket and gets a boundary.
40.3The batsman has played it to the point region. One run added to the total.
40.2Beaten! The straighter one outside off, Mendis comes forward to block but is beaten past the outside edge.
40.1Tossed up outside off, it's drilled straight to the extra cover fielder.
Time for some leg spin. Marnus Labuschagne to roll his arm over.
39.6Places it in the same region, has a little more power behind it and takes a single to keep strike. 123/6
39.5Similar ball, similar shot. Past short leg. Dot ball.
39.4Goes deep inside the crease and works it down on the leg side with soft hands.
39.3Minimal spin on this, on off, Kusal is behind the line to keep it out.
39.2Looped up on off, blocked off the front foot.
39.1The off break outside off, on a driving length, Karunaratne defends it from the outer half square on the off side. The batsmen cross over.
38.6Sees the over off without any problem. Mendis blocks it in the bowler's direction off the back foot. 121/6
38.5Shortish delivery on off, Mendis is rock solid in defense as he taps it down in front of him.
38.4Too straight in line, it's worked square on the leg side for a single.
38.3Another one, this one is sharper, on off, Chamika ducks and evades barely.
38.2Bouncer from Starc, the batter has nothing to do with it.
38.1Fuller length delivery on middle and leg, Mendis picks it off his pads and wrists it towards fine leg for one.
37.6Top edge and safe. Some luck going Sri Lanka's way. Looped up outside off, Chamika gets low to sweep but it goes off the edge and over the keeper's head. It goes behind and the batsmen take two. 119/6
37.5Goes with the spin and turns it away to the leg side.
37.4That must have hurt. Short ball which Mendis pulls hard. Catches Labuschagne around the chest as he is taking evasive action. It deflects behind towards backward square leg and the batsmen take one.
37.3The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
37.2Turning in on middle and leg, Mendis goes deep inside the crease and works it down in front of short leg.
37.1What a ridiculous attempt from Jhye Richardson. Almost got his fingers to it too. Seeing the flight, Mendis looks to go big downtown. Only skies it towards long on where Jhye is running behind. He dives, with his left hand outstretched, but it's just away from him. Two runs taken.
Nathan Lyon is called back on to bowl.
36.6FOUR! Look at that! Superb hit. Starc switches to over the wicket and spears it full and wide outside off, Karunaratne crunches it through the gap in the covers and finds the fence. 114/6
36.5Well bowled and equally well played. Starc with the yorker on off, Karunaratne somehow managed to bring his bat down in time and jam it out.
36.4Short of a good length outside off, eases the punch to the covers for nothing.
36.3FOUR! Streaky runs! A little wide from Starc, the tailender sees this and throws his bat at it. It goes off the edge between gully and a slip cordon to the third man fence. Chamika earns a boundary to his name.
36.2Immediate no from Mendis. Chamika punches this towards covers where Cummins swiftly moves to his left. Kusal sees that and sends his partner back.
36.1Back of a length around off, guarded out safely from the back foot.
35.6FOUR! Shot. Imperious. Nothing wrong with that shot whatsoever. Overpitched on middle, Mendis adjusts inside the crease and drives it through the right of mid on for a boundary. 106/6
35.5Edged but short. Excellent delivery from Richardson. Goes full on off, it tails away late and takes the leading edge of Kusal Mendis' bat as he looks to flick. Falls well short of first slip.
35.4Keeps low. Mendis does well to bring his bat down in time. A length ball on off, defended on the off side.
35.3Back of a length just outside off, Mendis shifts his weight on the back foot and defends it down the track.
35.2Goes full this time, on middle and leg, it's flicked off the pads to square leg for a run.
35.1Bumper really taking off. On middle and leg, Karunaratne ducks and avoids.
34.6Full delivery fired in on the pads, flicked to fine leg for one run. 101/6
34.5Just going down. The lbw appeal is in vain, even Starc knows that. Angles it in from around the wicket, catches Chamika on the pads around leg. Was doing too much.
34.4Shortish delivery banged in, around off, Chamika defends.
34.3Outside off, just ahead of a length, Karunaratne doesn't have anything to do with it.
34.2Yorker in line of the stumps, dug out from inside the crease.
34.1Good length delivery in the channel outside off, played to point for a single.
33.6On a length around off, Karunaratne looks to defend it but gets a bottom edge. Luckily it does not hit the stumps. 99/6
33.5On the thigh pad, Chamika tries to flick but misses.
33.4Fuller this time on off and middle, Karunaratne taps it back to the bowler.
33.3Back of a length delivery outside off, Karunaratne gets on top of the bounce and cuts it to point to the fielder.
33.2Shorter in length, Chamika ducks underneath it. It does not carry to Tim Paine at a great height.
33.1Length delivery on the thigh, Kusal flicks it to fine leg and rotates the strike.
32.6Full delivery fired in on middle and off, it's dug out towards silly mid on. 98/6
32.5Bouncer angling in on middle and leg, Chamika crouches really low and lets it go over him.
32.4Works this to point, wide of the fielder there and the batsmen take a run.
32.3Full delivery outside off, driven straight to the mid off fielder.
32.2Short of a good length again, outside off, Mendis opens the bat face and taps it down on the off side.
32.1Back of a length delivery on off, kept out from the back foot.
Chamika Karunaratne walks out to the middle.
31.6OUT! Sri Lanka lose their sixth wicket. Good length delivery on middle, there is a hint of reverse swing in this one as well. Dhananjaya de Silva flicks it uppishly to mid-wicket. Travis Head there takes a good catch. First wicket of the session and it falls to Jhye Richardson. It is also his first of the innings. 97/6
31.5Lands it on middle and leg, Jhye shows some sign of reverse swing as it comes back into the batsman. Dhananjaya looks to flick but gets struck on the pad. There is a stifled appeal but the umpire turns it down.
31.4Good length delivery on off, Dhananjaya gets behind the line of it and defends it.
31.3Length delivery on off, de Silva defends it.
31.2Again on the pads, this time de Silva flicks it on a bounce to the fielder at short fine leg.
31.1FOUR! Uppish but safe. Length delivery on the pads, de Silva lofts it towards the vacant deep mid-wicket region for a boundary.
Jhye Richardson to bowl from the other end.
30.6On middle and leg, Kusal flicks it and it goes rapidly and uppishly towards short leg. Marnus Labuschagne there cannot hold on to it. It Would have been some catch had he taken it. 93/5
30.5FOUR! Back of a length delivery outside off, Mendis jumps and cuts it uppishly through point. It is wide of the fielder though and it races away to the fence.
30.4On middle and leg, de Silva flicks it to mid-wicket and gets a single.
30.3Shorter in length by Starc, Dhananjaya defends it.
30.2Back of a length delivery on off, Mendis gets on top of the bounce and plays it with soft hands towards cover. He goes for a quick single. Lyon there picks up the ball with one hand and has a shy at the bowler's end. He misses the stumps. Would have been close had he hit.
30.1Starc starts with a full length delivery on off, Mendis drives it handsomely but straight to the fielder at mid off.
Welcome back for the afternoon session. Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva to resume their innings. Mitchell Starc to bowl the first over of the second session. Here we go...
... Day 4, Second Session ...
The day could not have started any worse for Sri Lanka. After ending the previous day without losing a wicket, it was hoped that the Lankan openers can be a nuisance to the Australian bowlers but it wasn't to be. Dimuth Karunaratne departed in the third over of the day, Dinesh Chandimal didn't last long either and the visitors kept losing wickets regularly in this session. Niroshan Dickwella, who surprisingly came in at number 4, looked promising but Mitchell Starc got the better of him. The Lankans are staring down the barrel here and now it looks a huge task to just see off the second session, let alone the day. The action resumes soon. Join us for that as it can be the last session of this Test.
The morning session clearly belonged to Australia. After failing to pick up any wicket in the final overs of Day 3, they started in brilliant fashion thanks to Mitchell Starc. The left-arm pacer has been spewing some venom from the first ball of the day and has picked 4 of the 5 wickets to fall in this session. Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson and Nathan Lyon all bowled tight and kept the pressure from their end. Cummins was the one who got the other breakthrough.
29.6Around the wicket for the last ball of the over. Lyon flights it up there, de Silva strides forward and wrists it to the right of the bowler. LUNCH ON DAY 4! 87/5
29.5On the back foot once again as he defends it with a straight bat.
29.4Over the wicket now, it's the off break outside off, Dhananjaya is watchful as he guards this out.
29.3Mendis uses the depth of the crease to go inside, works it with the turn to backward square leg and crosses over.
29.2A bit uppish but in the gap. Mendis flicks it towards mid-wicket but taken no run.
29.1Floats it up from around the wicket, in line of the stumps, Mendis stays right behind the line and blocks.
28.6On the pads, Mendis flicks it away towards mid-wicket and keeps the strike. 86/5
28.5Full on middle and leg, de Silva pushes it to mid on and gets off the mark with a single.
28.5Wide! Bowls it way outside off stump, de Silva offers no shot and the umpire signals it as wide.
28.4No hat-trick for Starc. Full on off, from around the wicket, de Silva does well to defend it with a straight bat.
Dhananjaya de Silva to face the hat-trick ball.
28.3OUT! Two in two for Starc. Full outside off and a bit of inward movement, Perera looks to drive it with minimal foot movement, but gets beaten by the inward movement and it takes the inside edge. Tim Paine takes a good low catch. Perera's return to the crease is extremely short lived and maybe yesterday's concussion has had a bit of impact on him. Half the Sri Lankan side sent back. Starc on a hat-trick. Can he get it?
Kusal Perera walks out to the middle at number 6. It was not sure whether he was going to bat or not after being concussed yesterday but he is fine to do so.
28.2OUT! Third of the day for Starc. Has some luck with this one but he's done well to maintain that tight line. Length delivery on off, it is bowled at 142 clicks. It is fast and straight and keeps low as well. Dickwella looks to defend but the low bounce beats him and it hits middle and off. A decent start from the Lankan wicket-keeper batsman comes to an end. His promotion up the order hasn't worked.
28.1Full outside off, Dickwella drives it through cover. He does not do so with a lot of power but still gets two runs.
27.6Shorter on middle, Mendis flicks it towards leg slip. Starc dives and stops the ball. 81/3
27.5Flighted on off, Kusal keeps it out.
27.4Flighted on off, Niroshan gets an outside edge and steals a single.
27.3Shorter in length, the off spinner, Mendis pulls it away towards deep square leg for a run.
27.2On the pads, Niroshan flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
27.1Tossed up off spinner on off, Kusal looks to defend but gets an inside edge and the ball goes to the leg side. He takes a single.
26.6Length delivery outside off, Niroshan cuts it along the ground towards point. 77/3
26.5Sprays this down the leg side, Dickwella looks to flick but it wide of him so he is unable to do so.
26.4Length delivery outside off, the ball moves away from the batsman after pitching. Dickwella looks to defend but gets beaten.
26.3Good length delivery outside off, Mendis cuts it to point. Jhye Richardson there misfields it which allows the batsman to pick up a single.
26.2Full on off, Mendis drives it to the fielder at mid off.
26.1On middle and leg, Niroshan flicks it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Mitchell Starc back into the attack.
25.6The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 75/3
25.5Half a chance. Flighted on off, Mendis comes down the crease and looks to defend it. The ball spins in a bit after pitching and gets the inside edge onto the pads. The ball lobs but falls just short of the diving Labuschagne.
25.4Tossed up on off, Mendis defends it.
25.3This time Niroshan brings out the sweep and plays it towards fine leg for a single.
25.2Flighted on off, Dickwella brings out the reverse sweep and hits it to the fielder point.
25.1Tossed up on off, Mendis sweeps it towards deep square leg and rotates the strike.
24.6Bouncer. Niroshan ducks underneath it to see off the over. 73/3
24.5Good length delivery outside off, Dickwella cuts it to point. Travis Head stops the ball there on a bounce.
24.4Shorter in length around off, Dickwella sways away from it.
24.3On middle and leg, this one comes back in a little bit. Mendis flicks it towards the fine leg region for a single.
24.2Good length delivery on off, Mendis pushes it towards mid off.
24.1On a length and straight. Kusal defends it off his front foot.
23.6Once again off the edge, this time the ball goes towards point and Mendis gets a single. 72/3
23.5Edged but safe. Flighted delivery on off, Dickwella looks to defend but gets an outside edge. Khawaja at first slip dives to his right but cannot get down in time. The ball beats him and goes behind. Dickwella gets three runs. Lyon asking questions here to the batsman.
23.4On the rough. The ball spins away from there, Dickwella looks to drive but gets beaten by the spin.
23.3Shorter in length, Mendis flicks it to the on side for a run.
23.2Tossed up on off, Niroshan sweeps it to backward square leg and gets a single.
23.1FOUR! Off spinner and short in length, Dickwella gets onto his back foot and punches it through cover-point for a boundary.
22.6FOUR! Fine way to get off the mark. Confident shot from Kusal Mendis. Full ball attacking the stumps, Mendis drives it through mid on and finds the fence with ease. 62/3
22.5Short ball on middle, a sharp once, Mendis ducks under it though.
Kusal Mendis is the next batsman in.
22.4OUT! GONE! What a delivery from Pat Cummins. Took Thirimanne completely by surprise. Bangs it in short, on middle, comes at just under 140 clicks, Thirimanne awkwardly tries to fend it away but it comes off the splice. Lobs just ahead of him but the bowler is alert to it. He rushes to the ball and dives to take a wonderful catch. Sri Lanka lose another wicket.
22.3Touch straight in line, it's clipped down towards fine leg for a single.
22.2Good length ball aiming the top of off stump, Dickwella defends from inside the crease.
22.1Bumper on middle, always rising too much, no way Niroshan will play at that.
21.6Shorter in length, Lahiru gets onto his back foot and taps it down. 57/2
21.5On middle this time, Thirimanne blocks it with a classical front foot defense.
21.4Flighted around off, Lahiru gets behind it and keeps it out.
21.3Tossed up on off, Thirimanne defends it off his front foot.
21.2FOUR! Short in length and spinning away from Thirimanne. This time Lahiru gets onto his back foot and cuts it through point. Joe Burns gives it a chase and puts in a dive but cannot stop the ball from going to the fence.
21.1Off spin on off and middle, Thirimanne cuts it to the fielder at backward point.
20.6The batsman defends it from within the crease. 53/2
20.5Shorter in length, Dickwella looks to pull but gets an inside edge on it. The ball falls just away from the stumps and too far from the keeper.
20.4Length delivery on off, Dickwella punches it to the fielder at mid off.
20.3Good length delivery on off, Thirimanne flicks it away to mid-wicket and rotates the strike.
20.2Full on off, Lahiru defends it.
20.1Full outside off, Thirimanne looks to drive it but gets an inside edge. The ball goes between his legs and towards fine leg region for a couple.
19.6On the pads, Thirimanne flicks it wide of the short leg fielder towards mid-wicket for a single. 50/2
19.5Once again short in length, Thirimanne cuts it straight to the fielder at backward point.
19.4Tossed up on off, Niroshan sweeps it away for a run.
19.3On the pads, Lahiru flicks it to fine leg and takes a single.
19.2Shorter outside off, Dickwella looks to cut but gets an outside edge wide of the first slip fielder. Khawaja gives it a chase and stops it. Dickwella meanwhile completes his third run.
19.1Shorter in length, the away turner on off, Thirimanne cuts it wide of the fielder at point and takes a single.
18.6Back of a length delivery on middle, Dickwella gets on top of the bounce and keeps it down on the on side. 43/2
18.5Shorter in length, Niroshan sways away from the ball.
18.4Good length delivery outside off, Dickwella cuts it to point. The fielder there dives to his right and stops the run.
18.3FOUR! Outrageous shot. Full on off and middle, Dickwella flicks it through mid-wicket in a T20-esque fashion for a boundary.
18.2Fuller this time on off, Dickwella blocks this off his front foot.
18.1Good length delivery outside off, the ball comes in with the angle. Niroshan defends it off his back foot.
Drinks. A good hour of play for the hosts. They have got rid of the skipper Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne. Mitchell Starc has been the best bowler so far in the day picking up two wickets. The Lankan batsmen will now have to bat out of their skins and play this session by session.
17.6Short just outside off, Thirimanne looks to cut it but gets beaten. 39/2
17.5Away spinner to the left-hander, Lahiru leaves it alone.
17.4Flighted on off, Thirimanne defends it off his front foot.
17.3Shorter on middle and off, Lahiru cuts it to the fielder at point.
17.2Full on off, Thirimanne gets on his front foot and keeps it out.
17.1Straighter one outside off, Lahiru leaves it alone.
16.6On a length, Dickwella defends it to finish off the over. 39/2
16.5Back of a length on middle and off, Niroshan looks to play the upper cut but misses.
16.4Good length delivery around off, Dickwella defends it with the inner half of his bat.
16.3On a length, Lahiru pushes it to cover with soft hands and takes a run.
16.2Bouncer this time. Thirimanne ducks underneath it.
16.1Cummins starts with a back of a length delivery on off, Thirimanne gets on top of the bounce and flicks it to the on side.
Pat Cummins into the attack as well.
15.6Just wide of short leg. Close one. Lyon floats it up there, Thirimanne flicks it aerially to the right of Labuschagne at short leg. He can't react in time. 38/2
15.5Short and wide, outside off, cuts it square to point.
15.4Nice shape on this. Loopy and full around off, the batter is watchful as he plants his front foot forward and leaves it alone.
15.3Shortens the length on this occasion, it's outside off, Thirimanne has to reach out to cut it to point.
15.2Turning away from around off, it's pushed away on the off side. Dot ball.
15.1Starts off from around the wicket and tosses it up on middle and off, Thirimanne prods forward and defends.
Nathan Lyon is the first bowling change of the morning.
14.6Accurate short delivery on middle, Dickwella just about manages to sway out of the way. Starc walks up to the batsman and asks him to hook that away, a bit of banter it seems. 37/2
14.5Comes forward to this fuller length ball and pushes it into the covers. Single to the total.
14.4Pounded in short by Starc, ducked and evaded by the batsman.
14.3Shortish and down the leg side, Dickwella lets it be. Paine can't collect it cleanly, so the batsmen steal a bye.
14.2Outside off on a good length, dabbed to point with an open face.
14.1Safe. Thirimanne works it to mid-wicket and the batsmen take off. The fielder there gets to the ball and fires it at the striker's end, clips the bails as Dickwella slides his bat in. It's taken upstairs and replays show he's fine.
Run out appeal. Against Dickwella, but he looks to be safe.
13.6Back of a length delivery coming in on off, Dickwella stays behind the line and defends. 34/2
13.5Uses the angle coming into him and tucks it straight to the man at square leg.
13.4Angling in on middle and leg, worked gently on the leg side.
13.4Wide! Banged in short but it's too short, wide signalled by the umpire.
13.3FOUR! Good effort from Pat Cummins, even though he couldn't save it. Dickwella picks up the short ball quickly and pulls it through mid-wicket. Cummins chases after it, puts in a dive, but it touches the rope.
13.2Fullish in length, on off stump, blocked with the full face of the bat.
13.1Length delivery on leg stump, Thirimanne flicks it towards fine leg for a single.
Niroshan Dickwella replaces his skipper out in the middle.
12.6OUT! Starc gets his second of the day. Length delivery on off, the ball swings away from the batsman after pitching. Chandimal looks to defend it but gets done in by the late swing and it finds the thick outside edge of his bat. The ball goes towards third slip and Marnus Labuschagne there takes a very good low catch. The umpire isn't sure if it's a clean catch, so takes it's upstairs. The replays confirm he caught that clean and the Lankan skipper walks back. First real threat ball to Dinesh Chandimal and he falls into the trap. 28/2
Dinesh Chandimal has been caught in the slips but it's not clear whether the catch is taken cleanly or not. It's taken upstairs. The soft signal is out.
12.5Full length delivery on middle stump, Thirimanne hits it straight down through mid on. The ball is not timed well but he will get three.
12.4Length delivery on off, Thirimanne solidly defends it off his back foot.
12.3Good length delivery on the stumps, Lahiru defends it.
12.2OUCH! Bouncer on off and middle, Thirimanne takes his eyes off the ball and it does not rise as much as he expected. He ducks underneath it and gets struck on the arm guard. He will be bit shaken.
12.1Good length delivery on middle, Thirimanne defends it off his back foot.
11.6Back of a length delivery, Thirimanne plays it with soft hands towards cover and takes a single. He will keep the strike. 25/1
11.5On the pads, Lahiru flicks it to the fielder at mid-wicket.
11.4This one comes back in to the batsman. Pitched on middle, Lahiru flicks it well adjusting to the late swing.
11.3Bouncer. Lahiru is ready for it and ducks underneath it.
11.2Length delivery outside off, Thirimanne shoulders arms to it.
11.1No real pressure on Chandimal so far. This one is bowled on the pads, Dinesh has no problems flicking it to the fielder at fine leg and rotating the strike.
10.6Full outside off, a hint of away swing on that one. Thirimanne looks to play it to the off side but misses. 23/1
10.5Length delivery outside off, Thirimanne shoulders arms to it.
10.4Sprays this down the leg side, Lahiru leaves it alone. Tim Paine collects the ball on his right.
10.3Play and a miss. Good length delivery outside off, Thirimanne looks to push it but gets beaten. The ball misses the outside edge by just a whisker.
10.2On middle and leg, Dinesh flicks it towards mid-wicket and gets a single.
10.1Outside off, Dinesh lets the keeper have a feel of the ball.
9.6On middle and leg this time. Thirimanne flicks it uppishly wide of the fielder at mid-wicket. The fielder there puts in a dive to his left but cannot get there. The batsmen pick up a couple. 22/1
9.5On the pads, Lahiru flicks it straight to the fielder at square leg.
9.4On the fifth stump line, Thirimanne need not play at those and he does not.
9.3On the fourth stump line, Thirimanne shoulders arms to it.
9.2Outside off on a length, Lahiru leaves it alone.
9.1Full on middle and leg, the ball swings in after pitching. Thirimanne flicks it to the fielder at mid-wicket from the inner half of the bat.
8.6On the pads on this occasion, Dinesh flicks it away towards deep square leg and gets off the mark with a double. 20/1
8.5Again down the leg side, Chandimal leaves it alone. Starc losing his line here.
8.4Sprays down the leg side, Chandimal looks to flick it but it is wide of him.
8.3Another short ball outside off, Dinesh leaves it alone.
8.2Welcomes Chandimal with a shorter length delivery. Dinesh does well to get on top of it and defend it.
The skipper Dinesh Chandimal walks out at number 3.
8.1OUT! Wonderful delivery. Great start for the Australians. Length delivery on middle and off, the ball jags back into the batsman. Karunaratne tries to drive it but the ball goes perfectly between his bat and pad and takes the bail on the leg stump. It is a big wicket for the Australians as he has a good record in the 3rd and 4th innings and was one of the better batsmen in the first innings for his side in this Test.
7.6Angles this across, well outside off, left alone to end the over. 18/0
7.5Shapes it in, full in length, Lahiru with a slightly closed face works it towards the man at mid-wicket.
7.4Brings this one back in, a length ball on off stump, the left-hander is half-forward as he defends this on the off side.
7.3In the channel outside off, a comfortable leave for the batsman.
7.2Lands it on a length on off, it doesn't move much, Thirimanne meets it with a straight bat in response.
7.1Good length delivery angling across, Thirimanne brings his front foot forward, covers the line and lets it go.
Jhye Richardson to bowl from the other end.
6.6Bouncer, first one of the day. Dimuth is ready for it and sways away from it to see off the over. 18/0
6.5Good length delivery outside off, Karunaratne cuts it hard but straight to the fielder at point.
6.4Length delivery outside off, Dimuth taps it back to the bowler.
6.3Down the leg side, Karunaratne looks to flick but it flicks off his thigh pad and goes to the keeper.
6.2Almost a disastrous start. Full on middle and leg, Thirimanne pushes it to the left of mid-wicket. He sets on his bike and runs. Pat Cummins there is quick and gets there quickly, he has a shy at the keeper's end but misses. Karunaratne was nowhere in the frame and had Cummins hit, he would have been a definite goner. Nervy start by the visitors to the day here and not the most convincing first run of the day.
6.1Good stop to start the day. Length delivery outside off, Thirimanne cuts it and the fielder at point saves it, diving to his right.
We are all set to begin Day 4. Lahiru Thirimanne and Dimuth Karunaratne to resume their innings. Mitchell Starc to bowl the first over of the day.
Just a little FYI - there's forecast of intermittent showers through the day. We, like many, hope it doesn't come to ruin the party. However, the Sri Lankan fans might have started praying to the rain gods relentlessly. Will the affect the conditions? And how will Australia deal with the stop-start nature of the game (if that happens), could decide how this day goes.
Australia put up a massive target in front of the Lankans and that feat has come from a collective effort. Khawaja's first hundred of the summer, another Head fifty, their 159-run stand and Starc's 5-wicket haul have got them to this point. There's plenty to be done for the Lions, but approaching this task step by step would be the way forward. Their first task would be to try and see out the first hour without incurring any damage, ideally. Will they be able to? Against a potent Australian bowling attack with Starc firing away? We'll find out soon enough.
Arsenal couldn't hold off Manchester City. Leicester City couldn't ward off Manchester United's threat either. It wasn't a day of upsets in the footballing world, but maybe, just maybe, Sri Lanka could hold off the mighty Australians for a little while longer, even if defeat is inevitable. Sometimes the fight comes from the unlikeliest of places, and it wouldn't be too farfetched to say said place could be the Sri Lankan camp as of now. They need almost 500 to win, but a fortuitous show of resistance could instill a sense of confidence going forward. Welcome to what could, but don't hope for, to be the final day of this Canberra Test.
... Day 4, First Session ...
When the visitors came out to bat, the openers did well to negotiate the 6 overs and end the day with all their wickets intact. It is a tough task to chase this mammoth total down, almost impossible, but Sri Lanka are not going down without a fight. They will try to drag out a draw. And the Australian bowlers will look to wrap this Test match up on Day 4 itself. Join us for the action at 1030 local (2330 GMT, previous day). Till then, have a good time. Cheers!
A target of 516 was set with about 30 minutes of play remaining. The Sri Lankan bowlers worked hard but could not do much. They were all squeezed out for runs and only Kasun Rajitha and Vishwa Fernando got into the wickets column, with Rajitha scalping 2 and Fernando getting one.
So the umpires have decided the light isn't good enough. There was some time left, but that won't happen anymore. That means it's STUMPS ON DAY 3. A great day for the hosts. They started by bowling out Sri Lanka for 215, courtesy a five-wicket haul from Mitchell Starc. They did not enforce the follow-on and started their second innings with a 319-run lead. They lost the openers and Labuschagne quickly but Usman Khawaja and Travis Head joined hands and took the Sri Lankan bowlers to the sword. The former powered to a fluent hundred, while the latter made a solid fifty. Tim Pine declared the innings after Khawaja got to his three-figure mark.
5.6Full on middle, Karunaratne blocks it away. 17/0
5.5On the pads, Thirimanne flicks it away towards mid-wicket and gets a single.
5.4Flighted on middle, Thirimanne defends it off his front foot.
5.3The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
5.2Shorter in length, Lahiru blocks it away.
5.1Lyon starts with a tossed up delivery on middle, Lahiru defends it.
Spin time. Nathan Lyon is into the attack.
4.6Short around off, Karunaratne punches it to the fielder at cover. 16/0
4.5Bouncer. Karunaratne ducks underneath that one.
4.4Back of a length, Thirimanne defends it with soft hands and takes a quick single.
4.3On the pads, Thirimanne flicks it to the fielder at mid-wicket.
4.2Full on leg, the ball jags back into the batsman. Thirimanne looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads.
4.1The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
3.6On a length on off, Karunaratne defends it off his front foot. 15/0
3.5FOUR! Another edge that runs away to the fence. Short and wide outside off, Karunaratne gets a top edge trying to cut and that flies over the third man region for a boundary.
3.4Bouncer. Karunaratne ducks underneath it.
3.3FOUR! Lucky. Shorter in length on middle and off, Karunaratne goes for the pull but gets a top edge over the keeper's head for a boundary.
3.2Good length delivery on middle, Karunaratne defends it.
3.1Good length delivery on the body. Karunaratne looks to flick it but gets hit on the body.
2.6Good length delivery on the body, the southpaw keeps it out. 7/0
2.5On a length, Thirimanne defends it.
2.4FOUR! Edged but he will take it. Back of a length delivery on off, the ball rises onto him after pitching. It hits the high part on the bat and races away through the vacant gully region for a boundary.
2.3Good length delivery on the body, Karunaratne looks to flick it but it goes off his thigh pad on the on side for a run. The umpire signals it as leg bye.
2.2Fuller outside off, Lahiru pushes it to cover and takes a run.
2.1Back of a length on middle, Thirimanne defends it.
1.6Slightly fuller on off and middle, Thirimanne pushes it through mid on and gets off the mark with a single. First run of the innings. 1/0
1.5Once again it is on a length, Lahiru defends it.
1.4Good length delivery on the stumps, Thirimanne blocks it away.
1.3Good length delivery on middle, Thirimanne keeps it out.
1.2Full outside off, Lahiru shoulders arms to it.
1.1Jhye starts with a back of a length delivery on middle. Lahiru gets on top of the bounce and defends it.
Jhye Richardson will share the new ball with Mitchell Starc.
0.6Back of a length outside off, Dimuth looks to defend it but misses. 0/0
0.5Bouncer down the leg side. Dimuth ducks away and Paine takes it at a good height.
0.4Full on middle and off, Karunaratne taps it back to the bowler.
0.3Back of a length delivery on middle. The ball swings away after pitching, Karunaratne does well to keep it out.
0.2Length delivery outside the off stump, Karunaratne leaves it alone.
0.1Starc starts with a full length delivery on off and middle. It is bowled at 146.8 kph. Karunaratne defends it away.
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