Sat, 05 Mar 2011 - Sri Lanka vs Australia, World Cup 2011, 20th match Group A - Bulletin

Rain abandons SL-Australia game

Australia and Sri Lanka were forced to share a point each after persistent rain led to the abandonment of the group A match between the two sides being played at R Premadasa Stadium.

Heavy rain started in 33rd over of the Sri Lankan innings and continued to pour down for hours forcing umpires to call off the game with ground logged in water.

Hard fought cricket was played before the rain came with both sides putting everything to edge past the other with Sri Lanka score at 146 runs for the loss of three wickets.

Sri Lankan were on a recovery mission after losing three wickets for just 75 runs with their skipper Kumar Sangakkara leading the fightback with a gritty half-century against aggressive Aussie attack.

He alongwith Thilan Samaraweera put on undefeated 71 4th wicket partnership before rain halted their progress.

Sangakkara started off in a aggressive fashion but settled down after his team lost wickets early.
He drove beautifully and was in command while finding gaps and picking up the singles and doubles and his partner Samaraweera looked confident during his not-out 34 off 48 balls.

Earlier Shaun Tait removed Tillakaratne Dilshan in his first over getting him caught by Cameron White at second slip after both had exchanged some harsh words between two of them.

He was soon followed by his opening partner Upul Tharanga courtesy a well timed leap at point by Steven Smith to hold on to an aerial cut short off Brett Lee.

Two senior pros-Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene-tried to resurrect the innings but was put to an end by another Smith brilliance in the field running out Mahela for his individual

Rain interrupts play

Rain interrupted play at R Premadasa Stadium with Sri Lanka having progressed to 146 for the loss of three wickets in 33rd over after losing three wickets for just 75 runs.

Skipper Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera were involved in an undefeated 3rd wicket partnership of 71 runs when rain stopped the play.

Sangakkara was batting on well compiled 73 off 102 balls including seven hits to the fence while Samaraweera was undefeated on 48-ball 34.

The three wickets to have fallen so far are that of Dilshan, Tharanga and Jayewardene with Lee and Tait taking a wicket apiece.

If rain continues and ground isn’t deemed fit for play by umpires till 21:30 (IST), the match will be abandoned.
Sangakkara crosses fifty but Aus ahead

Sri Lanka were 110 for the loss of three wickets at halfway stage of their innings against Australia after opting to bat first.

After struggling at 75 for the loss of three wickets, Skipper Kumar Sangakkara led the Sri Lankan recovery completing his half-century and giving him company was Thilan Samaraweera.

Sangakkara was batting on 78 ball 54 including five hits to the fence.

The three batsmen to have got out were Dilshan, Tharanga and Jayawardene.

While Jayawardene was run-out by Steven Smith, Lee and Tait took a wicket apiece.

Openers depart early

Sri Lanka were 52 for the loss of both openers at the end of ten overs with their senior batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene at the crease after choosing to bat first against Australia at R Premadasa stadium.

First man to go was Tillakaratne Dilshan who was caught in the second slip by Cameron White off Shaun Tait after fast bowler and Dilshan had exchanged some words with each other.

Other man to have fallen was Upul Tharanga caught brilliantly at point by Steven Smith off Bret Lee.

Toss

Sri Lanka have won the toss and elected to bat first against Australia in an important group A match played at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

The pitch is expected to offer spin to the slow bowlers and keeping that in mind Sri Lanka have included three spinners in the team.

Paceman Nuwan Kulasekra misses out on today.

Australia have gone unchanged for the match playing same team that played against New Zealand.

Sri Lanka playing XI: Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, K Sangakkara (c)(wk), M Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan

Australia playing XI: Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wk), Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke, David Hussey, Cameron White, Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Jason Krejza, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait