Australia began day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Friday (August 5) on 54 for 2. At stumps, it was 25 for 3, with 21 wickets having fallen on a day that had Rangana Herath taking a hat-trick and Mitchell Starc returning 6 for 50 for match figures of 11 for 94. However, with Australia having been set a target of 413 for an unlikely series-levelling win, it was the home side who was in prime position to force a series-clinching win. At stumps, David Warner (22 not out) was holding fort with Steven Smith, the captain, who was unbeaten on 1. But Australia still needs another 388 runs with only seven wickets standing. Australia’s… Read More →

Mitchell Starc, Australia’s pace spearhead, bagged a five-wicket haul to help bowl Sri Lanka out for 281 on the first day of the second Test in Galle on Thursday (August 4). Starc, who took his 100th Test wicket when he dismissed the in-form Kusal Mendis for 86, finished with figures of 5 for 44, keeping the visitor well in the hunt for a series-levelling win. It was the fifth time Starc had taken five or more wickets in a Test innings. Australia reached 54 for 2 in reply at stumps, rocked by the dismissal off what turned out to be the last ball of the day of David Warner. Warner had bludgeoned his way to a 41-ball 42 when Dilruwan Perera… Read More →

In the end, it was a blend of youth and experience that secured Sri Lanka a remarkable 106-run win against the top-ranked Australia side in the rain-hit first Test in Pallekele on Saturday (June 30). It was only its second Test win against the visiting side. Twenty-one-year-old Kusal Mendis paved the way with a masterful 176, while 38-year-old Rangana Herath applied the finishing touches, with 5 for 54 in Australia’s second innings, four of those wickets coming on the last day. For Australia, who began the day on 83 for 3 and was bundled out for 161, it will be a bitter pill to swallow. Not only was it the first defeat under Steve Smith’s captaincy, but it came against the No. 7 team, who had… Read More →

Australia lost three early wickets to Sri Lanka’s spinners before Steven Smith and Adam Voges steadied the ship with the visiting side in all kinds of trouble in their attempt to chase down the target of 268 in a low-scoring thriller of a first Test in Pallekele. Australia was placed at 83 for 3, with Smith unbeaten on 26, when bad light forced the umpires to call tea early on the fourth day in Pallekele on Friday (July 29). No play was possible after that either as the light only worsened, and the match that has been hit by rain and bad light on all four days so far lost even more playing time. Australia still needs another 185 runs for victory… Read More →

Steve O’Keefe update Cricket Australia has provided the following update on spin bowler Steve O’Keefe who was injured yesterday during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Kandy. Bupa Support Team Physiotherapist David Beakley said:  “Steve injured his right hamstring while chasing a ball in the field during the second session yesterday. “Initial assessment indicates a moderate grade hamstring injury which means it is highly unlikely that he will be available for the remainder of the Test series. “Steve will remain with the squad in Kandy until the end of the Test and will undertake imaging on the injury upon his return to Australia.” Victorian left-arm orthodox bowler Jon Holland has been named in the squad to replace O’Keefe. National… Read More →