Saturday, March 5, 2011

Rain halts play !





Tait bowled a fast spell to dislodge Dilshan and SL are now 29/1.

Tharanga is now gone, caught Smith bowled Lee and SL unfortunately are 29/2.

Good bowling by the pace trio and let us see how the Lankans face up to the torrid pace.

Now two fours have come off the edge and SL are 42/2. Sanga won the toss and elected to bat.

Now Jayawerdene is run out by Steve Smith. (Kochi has signed him up and this is good decision by Kochi ). Smith got a billiant catch and now has brilliantly run out Mahela.

Now it is again Advantage Australia. It seemed that SL have taken the game away when suddenly the game changed. At the end of the 16th over, it is 76/3. Sangka is 38 not out and is carrying the entire burden on his shoulders.

Now SL has improved to 129/3, thanks to Sanga, who is on an unconquered 62 not out. Samaraweera has clicked and is now 30 not out. Acutally this is great batting by Sanga and Samaraweera. Samaraweera came when SL was 81/3 and now the score has progressed to 129/3 off 30 overs.

Sanga moves to 72, with a four now. Rain has started to fall and rain may stop play. Now it is 144/3.

A total around 260 will be defendable, as chasing 260 under lights on a turning track is not easy. Three SL spinners add fuel to the fire. If the Aussies can fire out the remaining batsmen for less than 100 more, they have a huge chance. Otherwise, facing the SL spinners on a turning track ( some balls of Krejza did turn and bounce ) can be a dangerous proposition.

Mahela, all at sea against M Johnson, was unfortuntely run out in a partnership of 44 with Sanga. Sanga's 73 not out is simply classic, reminiscent of his masterly 192. Now with him there in the middle, SL have a big chance.

Sanga seemed to be the man in form, middling the ball well, and having the time to play the ball late. He slashed Tait over the slips for four and from the minute he walked in, he seemed to be in command !

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