LIVE – http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 – 3rd ODI – Steady start for Sri Lanka - Match Update
Sri Lanka got off to a steady start against Australia in the third One Day International (ODI) of the five-match series at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota on Tuesday, August 16, 2011.
The hosts reached 47 runs without losing any wicket in the first 10 overs of the innings. Openers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TM-Dilshan-c2691 were unbeaten on 24 and 23 respectively.
Earlier, Australia’s captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 won the toss and opted to field first. There had been some rain at the venue last night, which left some moisture beneath the surface of the wicket.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 expected his bowlers to get some assistance in the first hour’s play due to the dampness of the pitch.
On the other hand, Dilshan stated, “There is a little bit of moisture around, I would have liked to bowl first too. We are playing seven batsmen and we expect at least 2 or 3 of them to come good.”
As the Aussie team predicted, there was plenty of pace and bounce off the pitch with the new ball. This allowed the new ball bowlers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DE-Bollinger-c1348 to pressurise the opposition’s openers.
Although Tharanga and Dilshan looked pretty ordinary at times, they managed to survive the first few overs of the innings. Both batsmen missed quite a few balls, but managed to keep the scoreboard ticking.
The Australian bowlers were very unlucky not to take a few wickets in the first 10 overs of the innings. Bollinger in particular was phenomenal with the new ball, swinging and seaming it both ways.
It will be important for the hosts to make most of the start this time around. They had failed to convert a good start in the first ODI of the series, which cost them the game eventually.
If Australia goes onto win this match as well, they will seal the series, as the team has already won the previous two games.
However, the Lankan http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lions-c808 will be eager to bounce back. A lot will depend on their openers, who are well set at the crease.
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