WT20, Australia v Sri Lanka commentary

Australia won by 81 runs That's a real statement of intent, and it's hard to see anyone else winning this tournament. Twenty20 may be unpredictable, but Australia just seem to have all their bases covered - when you can come back from 67 for 5 in your own innings and win by 81 runs against quality opponents, that's scary. I'm off home to shake my head in disbelief, but thanks for your company. Don't forget, it's South Africa v Pakistan and then England v New Zealand tomorrow, so do join us then. Ciao.

Over 17 Johnson 1-W 87 all out - WICKET! Johnson cleans up Mendis with the yorker, and that is that.

Over 16 Clarke 0-W-0-1-0-0 85-9 - WICKET! Clarke fancies a bowl, and picks up the wicket of Malinga as he holes out to long-on. One wicket to go for the Aussies.

Over 15 Johnson 0-0-0-0-1-0 84-8 - Looking ahead to the final games, it's most likely that we'll have a straight shootout for a place in the semis between India and Sri Lanka. It's tough to see West Indies beating Australia in this sort of form - mostly because it's difficult to see anyone beating Australia at the moment. A huge defeat for Sri Lanka here means India could feasibly beat Sri Lanka and sneak through, although that would depend on Australia's margin of victory.

Over 14 Smith 0-0-W-0-0-0 83-8 - WICKET! Chandimal decides he needs to go for the big shot, and comes down the track for a big heave. He's beaten by the spin and Haddin does the rest. That wasn't wise, because Sri Lanka should be looking to bat out their overs to keep their net run rate as good as possible.

Over 13 Watson 2-4-0-1-1+W-0 83-7 - Chandimal pulls wide of long-on for two, then swivels to find the gap between fine leg and square leg. Warner was fielding in the latter position and put in a desperate dive even though this match is all wrapped up. WICKET! This really has been relentless from Australia, who refuse to give an inch no matter how good their position is. Randiv saw Nannes misfield at third man and decided to come back for the second, but Nannes was determined to make up for his mistake and a direct hit from the boundary has Randiv short of his ground.

Over 12 Smith 1-1-0-W-1-1 75-6 - WICKET! Smith deceives Kapugedera with the full one that's just pushed on a little quicker, as it yorks the batsman as he tries to hit across the line. This is all over bar the shouting.

Over 11 Watson 0-1-1-1-1-0 71-5 - Watson got a hammering in his first over, but is guaranteed a more gentle return. He's helped by the umpires who somehow let him get away with an obvious wide that cleared the head of Chandimal. For those wondering what and Australian victory might mean, the answer is that it all but puts them in the semi-finals, whilst bringing India back into the equation - were Sri Lanka to win this game then India would be out.

Over 10 Smith 1-1-1-0-0-1 67-5 - Four singles from the over. I didn't see much of it because it passed so quickly, but I can tell you that Sri Lanka need 102 runs to win at 10.2 per over.

Over 9 Johnson 1-2-1-0-4-1 63-5 - Australia's superb fielding continues as Chandimal edges just past second slip (yes, second slip) and sub fielder Daniel Christian somehow gets round from third man to cut off the boundary. Clarke does technically drop Chandimal next ball, but it would have been a wonder catch after he'd covered enormous ground to get to fine leg and put in a dive to get a hand to the ball after the batsman had top-edged a bouncer. Kapugedera drives nicely over extra cover for four to give Sri Lanka something to cheer about.

Over 8 Smith 1-wd-1-1-0-0-1 54-5 - Steve Smith has the perfect platform to come on and strangle the opposition, although I think they've already bled to death on account of a severe bludgeoning by the seamers. Chamara Kapugedera and Dinesh Chandimal are the men tasked with rebuilding the innings.

Over 7 Johnson 2-wd-W-0-0-1-W 49-5 - WICKET! Superb catch! And that's very nearly killed the match stone dead just when it looked to be regaining some life. Dilshan had found that old swagger and looked to be timing the ball, but then he timed a cut shot to backward point where White flung himself to his left to take a brilliant catch. It was hit so hard he didn't have much time to react at all. Angelo Mathews departs a few balls later as he's caught by Mike Hussey running in from deep cover, so this is threatening to be all over in a flash.

Over 6 Watson 4-6-0-1-4-0 45-3 - As Ian Chappell points out, when you're a strokemaker, the best way to get back into form is to play your shots. A slashed drive past mid-off and a swing over cow corner for six seem to do the trick for Dilshan, who suddenly looks a different batsman to the bewildered character we saw in Sri Lanka's first three games. Watson continues to miss his length, and Mathews adds to the onslaught by chipping mid-on for four.

Over 5 Nannes 1-2-0-1-W-4 30-3 - Nannes continues, and Dilshan's filthy hoik brings two throught backward square via an inside edge. WICKET! But the Aussie juggernaut is not to be derailed, and Jayasuriya is soon on his way after missing an attempted heave off a delivery that strikes him on the pad dead in front. Angelo Mathews pulls his first ball beautifully through midwicket to cut the celebrations short, but this still looks like it could be a foregone conclusion unless Dilshan goes beserk.

Over 4 Tait 2-0-W-4-0-0 22-2 - WICKET! Disaster for Sri Lanka, as Sangakkara is out third ball. He tried to hook the short one but is beaten for pace and the ball flicks glove on its way through to Haddin. It looked to be clearing the keeper at first, but Haddin stretched brilliantly to take the catch down the leg side. It brings Dilshan to the crease with his side needing him to find some form, and he does glove his first ball over Haddin for four.

Over 3 Nannes 0-6-W-0-0-0 16-1 - WICKET! It's the big one. Jayawardene had swivelled brilliantly to clear backward square leg the previous delivery, just lifting the ball over the rope with ease, but then Nannes tempts him into a similar shot with a ball that's straighter. Jayawardene fetches it from just outside off stump, but that means he hits it finer and Steve Smith doesn't even have to move an inch as the ball flies down his gullet at fine leg. This is a big test for Sri Lanka, who have leant heavily on Jayawardene so far in the tournament.

Over 2 Tait wd-0-0-1-wd-1-0-0 10-0 - The extreme pace of Shaun Tait is called upon, and he doesn't disappoint. Although there are two wides outside off the rest of the over is too quick for the batsmen and it shows on Jayasuriya's face as he watches the final ball scream past at eye height.

Over 1 Nannes 1-2-0-1lb-1-1 6-0 - Australia show some typical attacking intent to start, with two slips in place for Nannes. It's a cheap over as the batsmen push singles, and Jayawardene is slightly fortunate not to be run out as they steal a single to mid-off from the final delivery. Jayasuriya was running to the danger end, but such is Jayawardene's form that the fielder went for the far end to see if he could get the danger man.

Change in tactics Dilshan has been in appalling form, so Sanath Jayasuriya will open the innings with Mahela Jayawardene. They'll be facing Dirk Nannes first up.

For the record The last five overs went for 69, which is 13.80 per over. Before the match began Sri Lanka wouldn't have been too upset to chase 169, but the mental scars from giving up such a commanding position (67 for 5 after 11 overs) will be heavy.

Over 20 Malinga 6-4-2-1-1-1 168-5 - This is scary. I'm tempted to declare the tournament over, give the trophy to Australia and go home right now and Sangakkara might feel similar. The hundred partnership comes up in style as Hussey clears long-on for six, then clips wide of that position for four. A few overs ago 140 was looking like a good score given Australia's first 13 overs, but they've shown just how many dangerous batsmen they have in their line-up. They've also shown how late you can save your final charge if you have clean-hitting batsmen who can get 15 from each of the final four overs.

Over 19 Mendis 6-0-1nb-0-6-1-1 153-5 - Mendis comes back for his final over, but White comes down the pitch to hit cleanly over long-off for six. That prompts an interesting change in field, with Dilshan moving into a position almost straight behind the bowler. Two shots are hit straight to him from White - including one off a free hit - but then White clears the rope over Dilshan's head to have the last laugh.

Over 18 Malinga 4-2-4-1-1-4 138-5 - This is brutal, and suddenly Australia are favourites again as Hussey gets in on the act. A full toss outside off stump is lifted over short fine leg as he spots that the man is up, and then he runs the next ball wide of third man for a couple - it needed a last-ditch dive on the boundary to prevent four. Hussey charges down the track to hit the next ball over extra cover for four, and later in the over paddles one away fine from outside off stump. Malinga's lost his cool with Australia turning up the heat. Suddenly 160, which looked a decent score before we started, is on again

Over 17 Welegedera 1-1-1-1-6-6 122-5 - Sri Lanka are giving a marvellous exhibition in death over bowling here, with Welegedera following Malinga's lead in slamming in the yorkers. However White shows there's no room for error - when the bowler overpitches and supplies a low full toss, it's muscled back over his head for six. That puts him off his game and the final delivery isn't full enough, and White hammers it way over wide long-on for six. Welegedera finishes terribly, completely ruining that praise I was so intent on giving him at the start of the over.

Over 16 Malinga 4-1-1-0-0-1 106-5 - Malinga will bowl out his remaining three overs from this end, which is a real luxury for Sri Lanka in this position. Although his first ball is marginally legside-ish and allows White to flick just past Sangakkara for four, the rest of the over comprises top-class yorkers which only allows a further three runs.

Over 15 Mendis 0-1-4-6-0-1 99-5 - Mendis is brought back, but White plays him superbly. There are three men back on the leg side, so White gives himself room to hit away on the off side. His first boundary is a bit streaky as an edge flies over backward point for four, but the second is sheer class - he gave himself room and drove magnificently over extra cover for six. A single off the last ball brings up an excellent fifty (32 balls, 5x4s, 2x6s) under pressure.

Over 14 Mathews 1-1-1-4-1-1 87-5 - Mathews makes the mistake of bowling too short, and at his pace on this pitch the ball just sits up to allow White to pull. He actually hits it so far in front of square that it's only just wide of long-on as it runs over the boundary. Hussey has to put in a full-length dive to complete a single off the final delivery as the direct hit comes in with the batsman home.

Over 13 Welegedera 1-0-0-0-0-1 78-5 - Welegedera is probably Sri Lanka's weakest bowler, so it makes sense to get in a cheapish over with him if possible when Australia are rebuilding. The left-armer bowls nice and full to Hussey, who keeps hitting the ball straight to fielders until finally managing a single to wide mid-off from the final delivery.

Over 12 Mathews 2-4-1-0-1-1 76-5 - Mathews returns having bowled that excellent spell up front. White turns the first ball to square leg and comes back for a second when he sees that Jayasuriya's the fielder (the third time that's happened in this innings), and then gets lucky as an outside edge goes through the vacant slips for four. Australia need him and Michael Hussey to hold things together here.

Over 11 Randiv 0-1-0-1-0-W 67-5 - WICKET! Randiv is gutted to miss out on White's wicket as a top edge is dropped by a diving Mendis at short fine leg, but the bowler has consolation when the final ball of his spell is chopped on by Clarke. There's a bit of confusion and Clarke doesn't make his way off the field immediately because there's a suggestion that Sangakkara might have bumped the off bail off rather than the ball, but the replay confirms he was bowled so he has to go. Partnership broken just as they were looking solid if unspectacular.

Over 10 Mendis 1-1-0-0-1-2 65-4 - A better over from Mendis, who finds the right length and only concedes singles until White guides the final delivery down to fine leg for a couple. Australia still have Mike Hussey, Steven Smith and Mitchell Johnson to come - all of them can strike a cricket ball - but that's not enough leverage for these two to start going hell for leather for another couple of overs.

Over 9 Randiv 0-0-0-1-1-4 60-4 - Randiv continues despite an expensive over, and does pretty well. He looks a tricky customer because of the way he pauses in his delivery stride to leave the batsman unsure of when the ball might arrive. His final deliver is too short though, and White rocks back to drive beautifully through cover for four.

Over 8 Mendis 1-0-0-6-1-2 54-4 - Sri Lanka aren't looking to take their foot off the gas - there's still a slip in place as Ajantha Mendis joins the attack. These are probably Australia's best two players of spin, and although White misreads one delivery he strikes the next one cleanly over long-on for six.

Over 7 Randiv 1-4-1-3-1-1 44-4 - Cameron White gets the scoreboard ticking again with a sweep through backward square leg for four, and Clarke plays a very clever, incredibly late dab down to third man for three. This is a big game for Clarke, who has been able to sit back and shrug off his ordinary early-tournament form as the rest of the batsmen won games. Australia need him to show his skills now.

Over 6 Malinga 0-1-0-0-0-1 33-4 - What a bowler this is to bring on for the first time when you have the opposition 30 for 4 inside the opening powerplay. Lasith Malinga gives nothing away when the pressue is on, but with two batsmen looking to rebuild it's an easy job to concede just the two singles.

Over 5 Randiv 0-0-W-0-0-1 31-4 - WICKETS! This is superb from Sri Lanka, who have been unpredictable but more importantly they've been attacking. Sangakkara brings on Suraj Randiv and gives the spinner a slip, which does for Warner as he thrashes hard at one outside off stump. That came from frustration and the ball was well held by Jayawardene at slip. David Hussey then departs first ball! He came down the pitch but was beaten by the lack of turn, leaving Sangakkara to whip the bails off in no time. Just like that, Australia are in all sorts of trouble.

Over 4 Welegedera 4-2-1lb-0-1-1 30-2 - Third man comes up into the circle, and that move is punished as successive edges fly over the fielder Jayasuriya, with the first running away for four. Clarke gets off the mark with a nervy single to backward point, where Dilshan has looked sharp all game - he made a superb diving stop off the first ball of the match.

Over 3 Mathews 4-0-W-0-0-1 21-2 - WICKET! Game on. Haddin plays his first shot across the line and the slower ball does for him as a leading edge is taken by Sanath Jayasuriya MP at mid-off. He'd cut the first ball of the over beautifully away behind square for four, but Haddin's cameo has proven too brief and Michael Clarke is the new man. Meanwhile Warner is changing bats at a rate of two to the over.

Over 2 Welegedera wd-1-0-3nb-4-4-0-1 16-1 - Haddin proves he was the right man to send in, pushing a no-ball for two, driving the resultant free hit to long-off for four and then clipping over wide mid-on for a second boundary. All of them were fairly effortless strokes as he played each ball on merit, but played it aggressively.

Over 1 Mathews 0-1-1-0-W-0 2-1 - WICKET! Superb start for Sri Lanka, as Mathews keeps Watson tied down for a couple of deliveries and then bowls the right line for the batsman to chop on as he tries to steer down to third man. That opening partnership has been so dangerous of late so it's a massive breakthrough early on. Brad Haddin is the man to come in at number three as Australia continue to show their order is highly flexible.

All set Angelo Mathews will bowl the first over, with Australia's destructive opening pair Shane Watson and David Warner ready to launch.

Sri Lanka Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara (capt, wk), Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Sanath Jayasuriya, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Suraj Randiv, Chanaka Welegedara

Australia David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (capt), David Hussey, Cameron White, Mike Hussey, Brad Haddin (wk), Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait, Dirk Nannes

Teams Australia are unchanged, but Sri Lanka have made three changes. Muttiah Muralitharan has gone home after aggravating his groin injury while Nuwan Kulasekara and Thissara Perera are left out. Dinesh Chandimal, Chanaka Welegedera and Suraj Randiv all come into the side.

Toss Australia have won the toss and elected to bat first. That has generally been an advantage in this tournament because once there's a decent total on the board, the pressure of chasing has often proved too much.

The lowdown So the West Indies have beaten India by 14 runs, meaning the hosts, Australia and Sri Lanka all have two points. A win for Sri Lanka will knock India out, I believe. Victory for either side in this match would give them one foot in the next round. The way Australia have been playing recently has suggested they're on one of those unstoppable runs to the title - the sort they managed in the West Indies three years ago when they grabbed a third World Cup in a row. Sri Lanka are the side who they met in the final on this very ground though, and they are well-equipped to stop Australia.

Hello Of course we should have had the toss already, but the first match between West Indies and India was delayed by overnight rain. Both teams seem to have been a bit slow to get through their overs as well, but as soon as that game is finished we'll bring you news.

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