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[VIDEOS] Australia tour of Sri Lanka (2022)

An inspired performance from Chamika Karunaratne sunk Australia in the second one-day international and sent the Pallekele Stadium into a frenzy, with Sri Lanka levelling the series following a remarkable late effort from the allrounder.

Given a revised target of 216 from 43 overs following a two-hour rain delay, Australia’s batters flopped in a 26-run DLS method defeat on a turning Kandy pitch expertly played by a home side missing their best bowler in Wanindu Hasaranga.

Australia once again had their hopes pinned on player-of-the-match from the first ODI, Glenn Maxwell, who arrived at the crease with 84 off 88 required having guided them home from a similar position in that match.

The right-hander blazed four fours from his first 18 balls, including three in an over from second-gamer Dunith Wellalage (2-25), the impressive teen spinner who left the Aussies reeling at 5-132 after removing the recalled Travis Head (23) and Marnus Labuschagne (18) in consecutive overs.

But the spirited Karunaratne, who earlier dismissed Steve Smith, again intervened; the slippery paceman had Maxwell out skying a hook before pulling off an athletic run-out of Alex Carey of his own bowling to all but seal the match.

He bowled Mitchell Swepson before Dushmantha Chameera (2-19) finished things off by castling Matthew Kuhnemann, as a number of spectators ran onto the field in excitement (and were swiftly dealt with by ground security), with one fan even getting a selfie with the fast bowler.

Kuhnemann (2-48) had made a solid international debut as Pat Cummins snared four wickets in an imposing spell that saw Sri Lanka stumble to 9-220 before heavy rain intervened with 14 balls left in their innings.

The pace of Cummins had earlier proved too much for Sri Lanka as the Test captain hit top gear in his second match back from the hip injury that sidelined him from the back end of the recent Indian Premier League campaign.

Cummins snagged 4-35 while Australia’s decision to go spin-heavy in the absence of any available pace-bowling allrounders paying off with Maxwell (2-35), Kuhnemann (2-48) and Mitchell Swepson (1-58) all enjoying a turning track.

The performance of Kuhnemann, who only arrived in Kandy this morning having been pulled (along with fellow overnight A-to-ODI-squad traveller Head) from the Australia A game in Hambantota, was particularly encouraging in the absence of lead spinners Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa.

With the Aussies batting under lights in front of another enthusiastic Pallekele crowd, Dhananjaya de Silva’s off-spin accounted for both Australian openers before Steve Smith (28) departed with Australia still 123 runs still adrift of their readjusted target.

Smith, who barely missed the middle of the bat in his 35-ball cameo despite requiring multiple mid-innings visits from the physio, was devastated to have found short fine-leg with a miscued hook.

Australia’s loss leaves the series ledger at 1-1 going into the final three matches in Colombo.

Kuhnemann hardly had time to catch his breath between his arrival in Kandy, the confirmation of his debut and the presentation of his cap by from fellow Queenslander Labuschagne, before he was thrown the brand new ball by Aaron Finch after the skipper’s call at the toss to field first.

The 25-year-old needed just 17 balls to strike for his maiden scalp, having key man Pathum Nissanka well caught by keeper Carey, and then backed it up with a sharp outfield catch to leave the Lankans at 2-35 when the fielding restrictions were lifted.

His tidy first outing in international cricket was capped when he later had Chamika Karunaratne caught at long-off.

Kusal Mendis (36 off 41), Dhananjaya de Silva (34 off 41) and captain Dasun Shanaka (34 off 36) all departed at inopportune times amid a steady flow of wickets through the middle overs.

There were a number of missed chances in the field, an area Cummins had identified as being sub-standard in the first ODI, as de Silva was dropped by Head in the deep and then should have been run out when he gave up on a suicide single but Smith missed a shy at the stumps.

Australia could be strengthened by the availability of Mitch Marsh (calf injury), Mitchell Starc (finger injury) and Cameron Green (who has previously been available as a batter only) for the third ODI when the series moves back to Colombo for the series’ final three games.

But Agar, whose side strain paved the way for Kuhnemann’s inclusion, will not feature in the one-dayers again after confirming on the broadcast the second Test in Galle is an optimistic timeframe for a possible return.

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/mat...tch-report-video-highlights-scores/2022-06-16
 
Australia's desire for improved output from their top-order could be made harder by the possible absence of Steve Smith for the third ODI against Sri Lanka as the tourists deal with yet another injury concern.

Smith was not expected to train on match eve in Colombo after hurting his left quad during Australia's second ODI defeat in Kandy, their second straight match without a game-defining contribution from their top four.

The Aussies are understandably treating their star batter with caution given his importance for the two-Test series in Galle, which starts in less than a fortnight.

It may pave the way for one of Josh Inglis, Cameron Green (who had been scheduled to get the green light to resume bowling this weekend) or Mitch Marsh (fitness pending) to return for Sunday's 50-over clash at the R.Premadasa Stadium.

Smith pulled up sore running a two in Australia's run chase on Thursday, batting on with heavy strapping on his left leg before being dismissed two overs later. The team will make a call on his availability for third ODI tomorrow.

The visitors are scratching their heads at how they have managed to suffer an injury in every match they have played on their tour of Sri Lanka.

Mitchell Starc (finger), Marsh (calf), Kane Richardson (hamstring) went down in the first, second and third T20Is respectively, Ashton Agar and Marcus Stoinis both suffered side strains in the first ODI before Smith's blow in the second ODI.

Sean Abbott also broke a finger in the nets before the series started, while Green (who has been available as a batter only for the first two ODIs but was overlooked) has been restricted from bowling in games as they manage his fitness ahead of the Tests.

"We've got everyone wrapped up in cotton wool for the next 24 hours," wicketkeeper Alex Carey joked on Saturday.

If Smith were to miss all or some of the remaining ODIs, it could open the door for Marsh to take up the No.3 spot he has made his own in Australia's world champion T20 team.

The allrounder, who has been nearing a return to action having completed batting and running sessions in recent days, has mainly been used at five and six in 50-over cricket but batted at three and four in his most recent ODIs in the Caribbean last year.

"I know he's really close," Carey said of Marsh's potential return.

"'Bison' (Marsh) is one that can fit into any position which is great to have up our sleeve. It's going to be about team balance.

"I'd expect him to probably play a similar role to the T20s. He's been fantastic there, his intent is what we're we trying to achieve, his spin play has been fantastic and he's amazing against the quicks."

Australia have left the onus on their lower-order in their two run chases of this ODI series; Glenn Maxwell got them home with an extraordinary 80no from just 51 balls in the first match but couldn't repeat the trick in the second as Sri Lanka levelled the series at 1-1 with a 26-run DLS win.

Maxwell has been left to come in at No.7 given his explosive capabilities as a late-innings finisher, with No.6 Carey suggesting both run chases were "gettable".

But he noted the top order were eager to post a match-winning hand, with Smith's 53 off 60 in the series opener marking top four's only half-century so far.

"Our top four have had starts so we'd like a big score out of them. But also our job through five, six and seven is to get us home," said Carey. "'Maxi' did that in the first game.

"When Maxi is in the sheds and you know he's coming in, there's always a chance for anything.

"In the first game it was planned perfectly; he came in and played an unbelievable innings. The other night, he'll be disappointed to have gotten out when he did – we had the game there, we were ahead of the target, ahead of the rate.

"So just little things to tidy up … but we're definitely confident in that middle order. And the top order is craving some bigger runs as well."

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/ste...ka-australia-colombo-carey-maxwell/2022-06-18
 
Sri Lanka remain hopeful that star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga will be fit to take on Australia in the third ODI in Colombo on Sunday.

Hasaranga sat out Sri Lanka's narrow 26-run victory over Australia in the second match of the five-game series on Thursday due to a groin complaint, but has remained with the team in an attempt to feature later in the series.

Sri Lanka know how vital Hasaranga is to their team structure and medical staff are doing everything they can to ensure he will take the field at R. Premadasa Stadium.

"Wanindu Hasaranga, who suffered a groin muscle strain, while fielding during the 1st ODI is currently under the supervision of the Team’s Medical Team," Sri Lanka Cricket tweeted.

"The medical team is assessing his situation and will update the team management on a daily basis about the player’s condition.

"Hence, Hasaranga will continue to remain with the squad during the entirety of the ODI series."

Hasaranga scored a quickfire 37 with the bat and claimed four crucial wickets while bowling with his sore groin in the opening match of the series last week and was also Sri Lanka's leading wicket taker during the recent T20I series against Australia.

Sri Lanka all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne knows how important Hasaranga is to his side and believes the 24-year-old could prove the difference if able to return later in the series.

"He is one of the best all-rounders in the world," Karunaratne said of Hasaranga.

"If he comes into the team we will be much stronger and we will have a good opportunity to win a series against Australia.

"We have a good batting line-up and it is gelling very well.

"As players we are pushing our levels to improve with every game individually as well as for the team.

"We can make small mistakes but we have to rectify them as we go along.

"We are pushing ourselves more than 100 percent to win the series."

Australia have their own injury concerns heading into the third match of the series, with a cloud over veteran batter Steve Smith.

Smith hurt his quad while batting during the second match of the series and looks unlikely to be risked for the Colombo clash on Sunday.

It could pave the way for all-rounder Mitch Marsh to return from injury, while Cameron Green and Josh Inglis are other options the strong Australian team have at their disposal.

Australia have already lost Ashton Agar, Marcus Stoinis and Kane Richardson to injury this tour, while left-arm quick Mitchell Starc is expected to return for Sunday's match.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2649514
 
Sri Lanka vs Australia, 3rd ODI

Australia have won the toss and have opted to bat

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka(c), Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana

Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Aaron Finch(c), Mitchell Marsh, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Alex Carey(w), Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Jhye Richardson, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood
 
AUS 30/1 (6) CRR: 5
Australia opt to bat

Warner gone early for 9 - Good chance for Sri Lanka today.
 
AUS 85/2 (19.3) CRR: 4.36

Very slow going - Marsh also gone for a lowish score (10)

Good partnership in progress with Finch and ML
 
gYPVfE1.png
 
Australia - 291/6 (50 overs).
Sri Lanka - 111/1 (19.4 overs).

Sri Lanka 181 runs from 30.2 overs.

Sri Lanka are looking good to win this.
 
Australia - 291/6 (50 overs).
Sri Lanka - 121/1 (21 overs).

Sri Lanka need 171 runs from 29 overs.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">An unbroken 135-run second-wicket stand has Sri Lanka well on top at the moment and the fans at R. Premadasa Stadium are loving it! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SLvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SLvAUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/781AhxO5QY">pic.twitter.com/781AhxO5QY</a></p>— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1538544184273309696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis put SL on top.

The pair now involved in a 150+ stand in the run chase
 
Kusal Mendis retires hurt on 87! Things could change now...

SL 219/1 (39) CRR: 5.62 REQ: 6.64
Sri Lanka need 73 runs in 66 balls
 
Aussies are probably unsettled a bit with multiple injuries. I think they have 6 injured players.

Also, this series is quite meaningless as it is not a part of Super League.
 
AUS 291/6 (50)

SL 292/4 (48.3)

Sri Lanka won by 6 wkts

PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Pathum Nissanka
 
Shanaka, SL captain: Very good performance by the two youngsters with the bat. It made a difference when we were batting, there was dew, it was coming nicely onto the bat. Didn't expect it during the toss. Batting second made a huge difference in the game. Great chance for this team to pull out the series win against them, last did it in 1992.

Finch, Australia captain: There's quite a bit of dew out there. Wicket seemed to get a bit better. Wasn't stopping. But credit to Sri Lanka. We felt it was the right combination. Saw in the first half, it was very stoppy, thought it would continue to do that. But it played better under lights.
 
Aussie spinner queue grows again as Lyon backs under-pressure star

Nathan Lyon has backed Mitchell Swepson to complete an Australia “two-spin operation” despite speculation selectors are keeping their options open in Sri Lanka.

Swepson is the last specialist spinner to bowl in tandem with Lyon in a Test match as Australia clinched victory against Pakistan in the final session of the final day of the third and final Test in March.

But Lyon did the heavy lifting, taking 5-83 in the fourth innings in Lahore while Swepson went wicketless for the entire Test, ending the series with two wickets at 133.00 and a strike rate of 272.

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True that those figures don’t tell the full story — Swepson was somewhat down on his luck, particularly during the second Test when a number of close calls didn’t go his way.

Nonetheless, the pressure will be on for Swepson come the first Test against Sri Lanka next week, providing he is selected.

Lyon suggested that he will be, saying that he was happy with his partnership with Swepson on Pakistan wickets that “did nothing”.

“I was really happy and really pleased with our partnership in Pakistan,” Lyon said.

“I know he (Swepson) probably didn’t have the ideal tour, but he’s a very team focused player and we got the right team result.

“I’m really happy with our partnership. I think there’s still a lot of learning for both of us, especially in this part of the world.

“We’re excited for the challenges coming up, we know it’s going to be hard work, but it’s going to be pretty enjoyable.”

It’s worth noting, however, that Australia preferred two-ODI player Matthew Kuhnemann over Swepson for game two against Sri Lanka this week.

Kuhnemann is not without some strong red ball credentials either. He was one of the breakout stars of the last Sheffield Shield season, in which he claimed 25 wickets at 21.88 for Queensland. No spinner took more wickets for the season.

Australia has also added Victoria’s Jon Holland — who played in the nation’s last tour of Sri Lanka — to its A squad to face the hosts in a four-day match starting Tuesday. Holland picked up 20 wickets at 32.10 for Victoria in the most recent Shield season.

The spinners are queuing up with Holland joining Tanveer Sangha and Todd Murphy in the squad, while Kuhnemann, Swepson, Lyon and the injured Ashton Agar make it seven Australian tweakers on the ground in Sri Lanka.

While selection changes can be made, only Agar, Lyon and Swepson were picked in the Test squad when it was announced in April.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...ca3cdad883b32b703a2dd1a134?recommendedCount=0
 
Australia have won the toss and have opted to field

Dasun Shanaka: We have really worked on our batting, I think the batters have played the situation well. It's really good for the team. Two outstanding performances in the last two games, need to bring the same attitude today as well. Chameera is injured, Hasaranga is back.

Aaron Finch: We're gonna have a bowl first. Played better (in the second half) and there is a bit of weather around too. Dew also could come into play. One change - Cummins comes in for Richardson.

Teams:
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Niroshan Dickwella(w), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka(c), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana

Australia (Playing XI): Aaron Finch(c), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Alex Carey(w), Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood
 
SL 56/3 (14.5) CRR: 3.78>
Not the start they wanted
 
Asalanka on 95*.

What a player he is turning out to be. Him and Nissanka both are 24 so if SL handles them well they have pretty good careers ahead if them.
 
SL 258 (49)

AUS 102/3 (20) CRR: 5.1 REQ: 5.23

Australia need 157 runs
 
Really missed these 250 vs 250 type ODIS. We need more bowling friendly wickets in odis to keep the format alive.
 
With Smith out of form, it's going to be very tough for the Aussies in the test series. Sri Lanka will definitely produce turners from day 1 and if they manage to keep Khawaja calm, it's most likely going to be 2-0. Labuschagne looks mediocre against turn and bounce.
 
Really missed these 250 vs 250 type ODIS. We need more bowling friendly wickets in odis to keep the format alive.

Always find the sense of jeopardy and suspense to be more in these type of chases that go down to the wire. So much mental toughness required from players and fans alike, and a lot more gratifying when you win. The Babar masterclass vs NZ in WC 2019 was exactly that for me.
 
SL 258 (49)
AUS 254 (50) CRR: 5.08
Sri Lanka won by 4 runs
 
What a match. But Shanaka is crap. Playing as a specialist captain. Can't bat can't bowl. Should learn from Holder who improved himself leaps and bounds.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The crowd goes wild in Colombo as &#55356;&#56817;&#55356;&#56816; beat &#55356;&#56806;&#55356;&#56826; by 4 runs to seal the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvSL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvSL</a> series! &#55357;&#56908;&#55357;&#56908;&#55357;&#56908; <a href="https://t.co/HXmIYmooLc">pic.twitter.com/HXmIYmooLc</a></p>— Sri Lanka Cricket &#55356;&#56817;&#55356;&#56816; (@OfficialSLC) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialSLC/status/1539298186556149760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Brilliant series win for Sri Lanka considering the fact that Australia were close to full strength (missing only Starc and Zampa). Australia won't even cross the league stage next year in the world cup unless they somehow improve drastically on spin playing front.
 
Sri Lanka's spin barrage fired them to a first home one-day series victory over Australia in three decades in a thrilling fourth ODI that saw Australia come within one blow of an unlikely last-gasp victory in Colombo.

David Warner fell one agonising run short of a century to cap a collapse of 3-3 in the space of nine balls that appeared to have all but sunk the visitors.

No.9 Pat Cummins (35 off 42) staged a brave late fightback before No.10 Matthew Kuhnemann, needing 15 off the last over and with the Aussies nine wickets down, struck three final-over boundaries to reduce the equation to five needed off the final delivery (four for a tie) from Dasun Shanaka.

But Kuhnemann could only sky a catch to hand the hosts a dramatic four-run win, as another packed-out crowd enthusiastically celebrated Sri Lanka's first home ODI series triumph over Australia since 1992.

Charith Asalanka (110 off 106 balls) was the home side's hero as his maiden international century fired his side to 258 on a worn and turning R.Premadasa Stadium pitch that prompted the selection of four specialist (and two part-time) Sri Lankan spinners.

With Warner at the crease and 15 overs left, the Aussies appeared to have the run chase under control with six wickets in hand and the required run-rate at a little over 4.5 per over.

But Warner's stumping against the off-spin of all-round star Dhananjaya de Silva (60 off 61 and 2-39) meant the Aussies were always up against it despite their tail's remarkable late efforts.

All but six of the overs bowled to Australia, who themselves only picked just one frontline tweaker, were delivered by spin – just the fifth time they have ever encountered more than 40 overs of spin in an ODI.

Having earlier slumped to 3-34, Sri Lanka were rescued by Asalanka and de Silva in a daring 101-run stand and could have managed an even bigger tally than the 258 they finished on had they not given up three of their final six wickets to senseless run outs.

Warner played a super hand on a used, wearing surface but his exit one run short of his 19th ODI ton, which would have put him outright second among Australia's all-time century makers in the format, seemingly ended Australia's hopes of levelling the series.

The left-hander saw a series of batting partners come and go; after opener Aaron Finch was lbw for a duck to Sri Lanka's only frontline seamer, Chamika Karunaratne, he watched from the other end as the rest of the middle order all threw away starts to the home side's spinners.

Off-spinners Maheesh Theekshanna (1-40) and de Silva flipped the game on its head with the wickets of Travis Head (27), Glenn Maxwell (1) and Warner in the space of nine balls.

Asalanka and Pathum Nissanka have been flagged as the future of Sri Lanka's top-order, and it was only fitting that Asalanka followed his former national U19 teammate in chalking up his maiden ODI hundred not 48 hours after Nissanka achieved the feat on Sunday evening.

After receiving a slice of fortune on his second ball when Pat Cummins hit his leg-stump with a ball that failed to dislodge the bails, Asalanka hardly put a foot wrong in a punchy hand that saw him smartly shepherd their elongated tail.

In fact, his only real misstep came when, on 52, he burnt Dasun Shanaka when he changed his mind on taking a second run. He sensibly avoided his skipper by batting for another hour and more than doubling his score.

Inserted by the Aussies, Sri Lanka's second ODI heroes Nissanka and Kusal Mendis were both back in the sheds before the fielding restrictions had lifted as Mitch Marsh removed Sunday's century-maker Nissanka in the first over he had bowled since suffering a calf injury earlier in the tour.

Cummins (2-37 from nine) who eventually dismissed Asalanka, Marsh (2-29 from seven) and Josh Hazlewood (0-45 from 10) aside, Australia's bowlers struggled to stem the flow of boundaries despite having put the hosts in a compromising early position.

Spinners Maxwell, Kuhnemann and Marnus Labuschagne went at more than 6.5 per over and did not pose the same threat as their Sri Lankan counterparts did.

Australia wrapped up the Sri Lankan innings with an over to spare by pulling off two run outs in six balls, the second from substitute fielder Mitchell Swepson, who pulled off a sharp direct-hit from the inner fielding circle.

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/mat...o-highlights-one-day-international/2022-06-22
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The crowd goes wild in Colombo as 🇱🇰 beat 🇦🇺 by 4 runs to seal the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvSL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvSL</a> series! 🙌🙌🙌 <a href="https://t.co/HXmIYmooLc">pic.twitter.com/HXmIYmooLc</a></p>— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficialSLC/status/1539298186556149760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 21, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Steve Smith will be leaning on lessons from Sri Lanka tours past as he looks to take a more aggressive approach to the hosts' spinners in the upcoming two-Test series, all while adapting to new self-imposed restrictions on his obsessive training regimen.

Smith has been kept on ice for the back-end of the ODI series after he suffered a left quad issue during the second game of the five-match series, with the tourists not willing to risk the only batter in their group with a Test hundred to his name on the island nation.

That ton came in August 2016, right in the middle of Smith's remarkable six-year stretch in which he scored 26 of his 27 Test hundreds while averaging 73.02 across 57 matches. Throughout that period, the right-hander seemed to have an answer for every question bowlers and their captains posed him, and the centuries piled up with relentless consistency.

This time around however, the 33-year-old arrives on the subcontinent amid a different set of circumstances, having managed just one three-figure score from his past 17 Tests, going back to the beginning of the 2019-20 home summer.

In Pakistan in March, he passed fifty on three occasions out of four in the three-Test series, only to be dismissed twice in the seventies and once on 59. Notably, in all three innings Smith's strike-rate ranged from 33-39, which points to a broader trend; in that 17-Test window, his strike rate of 42.55 is some 15 runs fewer than he was operating at through that golden period, when it was 57.30.

It is something Smith himself has identified, and plans to address in Sri Lanka.

"I probably had three opportunities to get hundreds in Pakistan, I just didn't quite convert them," Smith told cricket.com.au's The Unplayable Podcast. "I feel like my plans were in a pretty decent place, but I could've potentially been a bit more aggressive against the spin over there, and played a few more shots.

"But I was also batting at stages where the ball was reversing quite big and I know as a batter coming in next, it's probably the toughest thing to face – a reversing ball on those kinds of wickets against some good bowlers in (Shaheen) Afridi and Hasan Ali.
"So it's playing the game and being patient and playing the tempo, which we spoke a lot about in Pakistan; against the new ball you can play a few more shots, like I did in the third Test when I got in a little bit earlier, and got some boundaries away early.

"But then when the ball gets a bit softer, it's reversing, you have to rein it back in until you get your moment to go a bit more aggressive.

"But against the spin, I know I've got a few more shots that I can potentially bring out and put a bit more pressure back on the bowler."

Smith scored 119 in the third Test in 2016, teaming up with Shaun Marsh (130) at the SSC Ground in Colombo to help Australia to their highest score of a series they ultimately lost three-nil. On what is expected to be a spinning track in Galle next week, he will be utilising that experience.

"Having a plan, and trusting it from the start (is crucial) – not getting yourself to face 20 balls before implementing the plan, you have to do it straightaway, otherwise you can be sitting back in the shed," he said.

"I think (I improved) my understanding of the (spinning) ball and the square seam and what the ball can do (on such surfaces). I probably learned most in my first two Tests there where I didn't get any runs, and then got a hundred and (learned by) spending a fair bit of time out in the middle in that third Test.

"From there, I think my subcontinent form probably got better and better, so it's a great learning experience, playing on these kinds of wickets."

Despite his relative lack of runs since that 2019 Ashes (he is averaging 39.88 through that 17-Test period), Smith has also been encouraged by his ability to continue occupying the crease; percentage-wise, the 'balls faced' comparison between his golden years (108.69) and those since (90.26) is less significant than his drop in strike-rate.

He offered several theories behind the shift in numbers, before reiterating his intended solution.

"Obviously Marnus (Labuschagne, at number three) has come into the team and he's been scoring a lot of runs as well, so I'm sitting back in the shed for longer than I potentially was beforehand, which is great," he said.

"And there's been some different fields set where at times I feel like they're actually not even trying to get me out. So whilst it might not (result in) me scoring a lot of the runs, it's still (opponents) bowling a lot of balls and getting some miles into (their) legs, and you might see someone else after me being able to come out and score a bit more freely when the bowlers are more tired. So it's not the worst thing for the team's point of view.

"Of course, I'd love to be scoring more hundreds, but I've still been batting some good time … (opponents) have bowled differently and a bit more defensive at stages, but you've still got to just play the game and adapt to whatever they're coming at, which I don't think I've done poorly, but maybe (I need to be) just finding some more ways to get off strike or get a boundary away to change what they're thinking and where they're bowling.

"As I alluded to, I can potentially put a bit more pressure back on the bowler at stages – I've probably been a little bit defensive at times. And whilst I've spent a lot of time in the middle in a lot of the games, my strike-rate's probably not as high."

Smith's tweaked gameplan will also need to be implemented off the back of a modified training routine, with the vice-captain being forced to limit his famously lengthy net sessions due to his troublesome left elbow.

He is now also nursing a left quad complaint that has so far kept him out of the back-end of the ongoing ODI series against the Sri Lankans.

The tennis elbow issue most recently sidelined him last year and at one point had him in doubt for the T20 World Cup that Australia went onto win, and he revealed that it remains a concern for him to the point that he has been forced to adjust his batting preparation.

"I probably am batting less at the moment than I have before, just with my elbow and trying to ensure that it doesn't get to the place where it got to previously, which is hard for someone like me," he said.

"I just love batting and getting big volume and that's how I kind of get in the rhythm, so it is a bit different, but I've got to strike the right balance to ensure that I'm giving myself every chance to play as many games as possible."

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/ste...ng-australia-sri-lanka-test-series/2022-06-23
 
SL vs AUS 1st Test: Maxwell added to Australian squad after Head suffers minor hamstring strain

All-rounder Glenn Maxwell has been added to Australia's squad for the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle which begins on June 29, Cricket Australia announced on Thursday.

Maxwell, 33, received the call-up after middle-order batter Travis Head suffered from a minor hamstring strain.

Maxwell, who made his Test debut in 2013, has played 7 Tests for the national side in which the right-hander has scored 339 runs and taken eight wickets with his off-spin.

He last appeared in a Test match in 2017.

https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...strain-1st-test-sl-vs-aus/article38505362.ece
 
Chris Silverwood hopes the extensive notes he has kept on the Australians who effectively ended his tenure as England coach earlier this year could now be their downfall over the coming weeks against Sri Lanka.

With the nightmare of last summer's Ashes campaign still fresh, Silverwood says he is drawing on the same opposition analysis he used against Australia in their 4-0 Test series victory.

After losing the England job, the 47-year-old former fast bowler has since taken over the coaching reins of Sri Lanka and hopes his scouting can help topple the world's top-ranked Test team.

"I keep notes on everything. I'm an avid scribbler, so I've got my notes on the Australian batsmen from the Ashes," Silverwood told reporters after leading the hosts to an ODI series victory over the Aussies.

"I'm not going to go too much into the Ashes … but whatever knowledge I can bring from there and bring to our guys, I will."

Silverwood, one of several casualties among on and off-field England leaders after their disastrous tour down under, has made a promising start in his new job.

Sri Lanka knocked off Bangladesh 1-0 in a Test tour last month in his first series in charge before overseeing a stirring reversal in fortunes in the white-ball matches against Australia.

After losing three of their first four limited-overs games, including a 2-1 T20I series defeat, the Lankans have won the past three 50-over games to seal a first home ODI series victory over Australia in three decades.

Key to the turnaround has been match-winning performances from emerging young batters Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka, while established players like Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga and skipper Dasaun Shanaka have all shone.

"I had a rough winter over in Australia. They're a very difficult team to beat in their own backyard," said Silverwood.

"So winning (the ODI series) here was very satisfying, but more satisfying for me was the progress of the team that has made their way through this journey so far.

"Just to see the tactics coming together, to see guys out in the middle scoring runs, to see how we've chased totals down.

"One of the most exciting things is we're still nowhere near the potential we have in that team, yet we are still pushing the one of the best teams in the world. That's very exciting and we've more to come."

Their biggest challenge is likely to come in the two-Test campaign in Galle, which the Australians have prioritised over the limited-overs matches, with Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins all being managed through the T20s and ODIs with the view to have them primed for the red-ball games.

Australia are fresh off a first Test series win in Asia in more than a decade having won 1-0 in Pakistan earlier this year, but are expecting more spin-friendly pitches when they arrive on the Sri Lankan south coast on Saturday.

Painful memories linger from a 3-0 series defeat six years ago, largely at the hands of Rangana Herath, but Sri Lanka's Test bowlers are decidedly less experienced this time around.

Silverwood hopes their success in coloured clothing will translate into the longest format for the likes of crossover players like Mendis, Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva and Niroshan Dickwella.

"Certainly the guys who play multi-format, it will give them confidence going into the Test series," he said.

"I want the guys who went to Bangladesh to bring the confidence from that series win into this one.

"I want the guys who play all formats to take knowledge of the bowlers they face, the batters they bowled to – they can take that knowledge forward with them.

"We have to be on the ball because Australia are a good side. We're going to have prepare well, and we're going to have play well because I know one thing; the Australians are going to come hard at us."

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/chr...lia-england-tests-ashes-tour-notes/2022-06-24
 
Teams:

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Dasun Shanaka(c), Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Pramod Madushan, Maheesh Theekshana

Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Aaron Finch(c), Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey(w), Cameron Green, Pat Cummins, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood

Sri Lanka have won the toss and have opted to bat in the 5th ODI
 
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SL : 15-2 (6) CRR 2.5

Dead rubber as this series is not part of the ODI Super league but SL will still be looking to retain the momentum.
 
Sri Lanka - 80/7 (19.4 overs).

This is a dead rubber game as SL have already won the series. Also, this series is not included in the Super League.
 
SL : 160 (43.1)

AUS : 20/3 (6) CRR : 3.33

AUS need 141 runs from 44 overs. RR 3.20

Looks like we could have another low scoring thriller.
 
Marsh gone - getting tough this now

AUS 77/4 (21) CRR: 3.67 REQ: 2.9
Australia need 84 runs
 
Consolation win for Australia:

Australia on Friday defeated Sri Lanka by 4 wickets in the fifth and final ODI between the sides at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

The win helped the guests end the already lost series 2-3. It was Australian bowlers who shone on the day to bowl out Sri Lanka for a paltry sum of 160. Chamika Karunaratne hit his maiden half-century and his run-a-ball 75 was the only saving grace for the hosts as the rest of the batters failed to get going.

Josh Hazlewood, Matthew Kuhnemann and Pat Cummins took two wickets each, while Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green shared one scalp apiece. During the chase, the Aussies were struggling at 50/3 but Alex Carey's unbeaten 45 helped them reach home comfortably.

Dunith Wellalage was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka with figures of 3/42, while Maheesh Theekshana returned 2/26.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The sea of blue has turned yellow 💛<br><br>A lovely gesture from the Sri Lanka fans for Australia 🤩<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SLvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SLvAUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/zfip5VV7Zf">pic.twitter.com/zfip5VV7Zf</a></p>— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1540345333401649153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Consolation win for the Aussies.

They should've won 4-1 but ended up losing 2-3.

2nd game and 4th game should've been won. They were cruising.
 
Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee selected the following 18 member squad to play in the 02 Match Test Series vs Australia.

The test series, which is played under the ICC World Test Championship will commence on the 29th of June 2022, at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.

The Squad
01) Dimuth Karunaratne – Captain
02) Pathum Nissanka
03) Oshada Fernando
04) Angelo Mathews
05) Kusal Mendis
06) Dhananjaya de Silva
07) Kamindu Mendis
08) Niroshan Dickwella ( WK)
09) Dinesh Chandimal ( WK)
10) Ramesh Mendis
11) Chamika Karunaratne
12) Kasun Rajitha
13) Vishwa Fernando
14) Asitha Fernando
15) Dilshan Madushanka
16) Praveen Jayawickrama
17) Lasith Embuldeniya
18) Jeffrey Vandersay

Standby Players
- Dunith Wellalage
- Lakshitha Rasanjana
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sitting in the restaurant earlier this week, waiting for the town power to be switched on so dinner can start. <br><br>Sri Lanka is going through a tough time at the moment, but the people have been amazing to us and we are grateful to be here. <br><br>Ready for Game 5 💪 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/srilanka?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#srilanka</a> <a href="https://t.co/5ICAwTvOEt">pic.twitter.com/5ICAwTvOEt</a></p>— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) <a href="https://twitter.com/patcummins30/status/1540231503673786368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
GALLE, Sri Lanka (AP) — After an unexpected 3-0 series defeat on the previous tour of Sri Lanka six years ago, Australia expects to bat much better on spin-friendly pitches in the two-test series in Galle starting on Wednesday.

Australia has found playing on Asia’s turning pitches hard in the past but has done well recently, beating Pakistan 1-0 in a three-match series in March. Of more significance, Sri Lanka’s spin attack doesn’t have the experience and variety of the retired Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera, whose combined 43 wickets caused Australia’s downfall in the 2016 series.

“In a lot of ways it will be quite different,” Australia captain Pat Cummins said in comparing the conditions in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

“(Pakistan) was subcontinent but it wasn’t big turn. There was so much we did well over there. We controlled the tempo of the match. In some ways it will be a bigger challenge (in Sri Lanka) when it quickens up faster than Pakistan.”

Sri Lanka can field left-arm spinners Lasith Embuldeniya and Praveen Jayawickrama and offspinner Ramesh Mendis. Also in the squad is legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay, uncapped in tests.

The first three have played only 27 tests combined, but Sri Lanka will be encouraged by how well the spinners performed in the one-day international series it won 3-2.

Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have been better than the spinners: Asitha Fernando and Kasun Rajitha carried the team to victory in the recent two-test series in Bangladesh.

Australia has its own strong spin attack, led by offspinner Nathon Lyon, who has 427 wickets in 108 matches. Cummins said Lyon will like be partnered by legspinner Mitchell Swepson, who had two wickets across the two Pakistan tests.

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne noted Australia’s improved performances in Asia and said his team has plans to contain the tourists.

“In 2016, we won with experienced spinners ... but this time we have three new spinners,” Karunaratne said. “However, we have an idea as to how the wicket behaves, and if we do the basics right we have a chance of winning this series.”

It will be some feat. Sri Lanka has only four wins in 31 tests against Australia, which has won 19.

Victory would be a welcome distraction for people suffering in Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis in recent memory, with acute shortages of fuel, cooking gas, medicines and many other essentials.

Right outside Galle Stadium are long lines of cylinders left by people waiting for a station to be resupplied with cooking gas. There are few vehicles moving in and out of the usually bustling 17th century Dutch-built Galle Fort next to the cricket ground because the government has issued fuel to vehicles involved only in essential services.

Cummins said: “I was on a call yesterday and was chatting to some young girl cricketers. They’re down to one meal a day and are going to school a couple of days a week because the teachers can’t get to school.

“They’re from a fishing village and a lot of them can’t go out to fish because they have no petrol. We are certainly seeing the effects. Even in the buses we are seeing the queues kilometres long around petrol stations. That has really hit home for us.”

The series for the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy is the first since Australia great Shane Warne died in March. Galle has a special connection to Warne, who took his 500th test wicket in the stadium and helped rebuild it after it was destroyed by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

“The two highest wicket-takers ever in test cricket (Warne and Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan),” Cummins said. “Seeing some legends of the game on the trophy always hits home that what we are doing is pretty special. We are privileged. We’re part of a long past and we’re very grateful.”

https://apnews.com/article/sports-p...a-obituaries-fb0a6eaeed65593f0d0e0603634790f5
 
Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st Test

Sri Lanka have won the toss and elected to bat first against Australia

Australia XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Swepson

Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lasith Embuldeniya, Asitha Fernando
 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">32-year-old leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay is presented with his Sri Lanka cap and will make his Test debut today in Galle &#55357;&#56399; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SLvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SLvAUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/NhdJUIkyZs">pic.twitter.com/NhdJUIkyZs</a></p>— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1541995313875267584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Sri Lanka have handed a debut to a 32-year-old spinner for the first Test against Australia in Galle as the tourists were boosted by the inclusion of in-form batter Travis Head for the clash.

Head had been in doubt for the opening match of the two-game Test series due to a hamstring injury, but the 28-year-old passed a fitness test on Wednesday morning and has been included in Australia's final XI.

It means there is no recall for talented all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, after the veteran was called up as cover for Head in case the left-hander failed to prove his fitness for the important World Test Championship clash.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first on Wednesday, with Mitchell Swepson winning the nod as Australia's second spinner and as the main support to veteran tweaker Nathan Lyon.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, handed a Test debut to Jeffrey Vandersay after the leg-spinner impressed during the recent ODI series against the Aussies.

Vandersay collected five wickets from four matches against Australia and has won an unlikely Test debut at the age of 32 to support front-line spin duo Lasith Embuldeniya and Ramesh Mendis.

Right-armer Asitha Fernando is the sole specialist pacer selected in Sri Lanka's final XI, with opener Pathum Nissanka winning a recall at the top of the batting order after he missed the recent Test series against Bangladesh.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2659031
 
Good start for Sri Lanka - seems spin will be the key here

SL 22/0 (7.2) CRR: 3
 
Sharp turn and invariable bounce in the 5th over.

This is going to be fun.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Five overs done and Nathan Lyon is tossed the ball.<br>He starts with a peach to Karunaratne.<br>Live <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SLvAUS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SLvAUS</a>: <a href="https://t.co/FT3dcx1fsJ">https://t.co/FT3dcx1fsJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/EBMm905oQP">pic.twitter.com/EBMm905oQP</a></p>— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1542010666319753216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Pathetic shot by Kusal Mendis.

Don't know why he's playing ahead of guys like Oshada Fernando, Thirimanne etc.
 
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