Published: Jul 30, 2016, 08:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 30, 2016, 07:08 PM (IST)
Good Morning, Subha Udǣsanak! Hello and Welcome to CricketCountry’s live coverage of Day 5 of the first of the three-match Test series between hosts Sri Lanka and visitors Australia, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. I am R Narayan, and I will be bringing to you all the live updates from today’s action. Day 4 saw Australia end on a high, as they were set a target of 268. The Aussies still need 185 runs to win, with seven wickets in hand. It should be an easy chase, unless the Sri Lankan bowlers turn it around magically with the ball and their spin. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st Test at Pallekele
Australia faced an uphill struggle to save the first Test against Sri Lanka’s rampant spinners after losing three early second innings wickets Friday while trying to chase down a formidable target of 268. The tourists were precariously placed at 83 for three, with skipper Steve Smith unbeaten on 26, when bad light forced an early end to play for the fourth day running in Pallekele. AUS need 185 runs to win 1st Test against SL on Day 5
The world number one Test team still need another 185 runs for victory on the final day on Saturday, when Sri Lanka’s trio of spinners will expect to capitalise on their early inroads against the tourists. The hosts’ leading left-arm spinner Rangana Herath struck in only the second over of the Australian innings when he bowled vice-captain David Warner for one. Usman Khawaja started positively with three fours but he was ruled leg before wicket to off-spinner Dilruwan Perera when he attempted a sweep shot after making 18, leaving Australia reeling at 33/2.
