Match Center

Right then! Australia go 1-0 up in this 2-match Test series. Sri Lanka have a couple of days off and they need to assess what happened and come back with a better plan. The second match will start on Friday, 8th July at 10 am IST (4.30 am GMT) Do join us for the build up as well. For cricketing lovers, there is a huge Test match between England and India coming up (the 5th Test match). You can join us there at 3 pm IST (9.30 am GMT) and join us early for the coverage as well. But from here, it is goodbye!

Dimuth Karunaratne, the skipper of Sri Lanka says that it is very disappointing as the play got over in three days. Mentions that the Australian batters did really well and as a batting unit they need to play better and put pressure on bowlers. Further says that with the young bowling attack they need to do better and do the job. Mentions that it is not easy to bat against Nathan Lyon and they made some bad decisions in the game.

Pat Cummins, the victorious skipper is in for a chat. He starts by saying it was an amazing win. Mentions, he could not believe the game eneded so quickly. Adds the bravery and the proactiveness shown by the batters has been outstanding over this match. Says, Green has been a whacker, and he has found it in his first knock. He proved to be the difference in the end.

Cameron Green wins the Player of the Match award for his incredible effort with the blade. Green says there are a few experienced guys in the camp and that helped him a lot. He aimed to be proactive and thought of playing some shots regularly to keep the pressure off him.

Stay tuned for the Presentation...

Earlier in the match, after winning the toss and electing to bat first! Sri Lanka were off to a decent start but once the spinners were introduced, the wickets started to fall. Nathan Lyon was in action and showed his class along with Swepson. They didn't allow the score to flow quickly and bundled out Sri Lanka for 212. Lyon ended with a five-fer while his companion finished with three wickets. In reply, it was Usman Khawaja first and then Cameron Green in the lower order along with Alex Carey, they played out what proved to be a match-winning innings and got a handy lead of more than 100. Australia were aware of the spin-friendly pitch and introduced Lyon again quickly after Starc's spell in the start which didn't work out. The magician was at work again with his crime partner and with Travis Head joining them. Australia ripped apart the Lankan lineup. In the end, Australia won without breaking much sweat.

So, Day 3 is called the moving day but it turns out to be the result day as well. Australia were batting at the start of the day and inside one session, we have seen a whole innings wipe away, thanks to some exception bowling spell from the Aussie spinners. Quality over quantity! This was proven in this match. Sri Lanka had more spinners but it was the experience and quality of Australia that has helped them take the lead. Lyon, Swepson and Head stuck to their plans throughout the process to bundle Sri Lanka below-par score and then, Australia needed just one over to get over the victory line.

Well, the outcome was inevitable. A comprehensive win for Australia. A clinical display from them and they take the lead in this two-match Test series. Smiles everywhere in the Aussie camp as Warner hits the winning runs and fist pumps in the air. Cummins has a big smile on his face. What a win this is for the visitors!

SIX! BANG! Here are the winning runs. David Warner finishes things off in style. It is tossed up, wide outside off. David Warner dances down the track, gets underneath it and smokes it over the long on fence to get his side over the victory line. AUSTRALIA WIN THE GAME BY 10 WICKETS!

FOUR! Fuller delivery on off, David Warner goes down on the one knee and reverse sweeps it towards the third man region for a boundary. They need one now.

Fuller one again, David Warner looks to slog sweep it but misses.

Starts with a fuller one outside off, David Warner looks to cut it but gets a bottom edge as the ball bounces towards the off side.

Four!

No run.

Starts will fuller and outside off, David Warner looks to cut it but misses.

We are back for Australia's reply. The Lankan players are out in the middle. David Warner and Usman Khawaja are the openers for Australia. Ramesh Mendis to start with the ball.

...FOURTH INNINGS...

Sri Lanka scored 17 runs in this first over and it seemed like they will go with the aggressive route throughout but that was not the case. Once the spinners were introduced, there was no comeback for the hosts as no one showed any determination and fell into the trap one after the other. Now then, Australia need 5 runs to win! Big deal! Stay tuned as we will be back in a bit!