Tri-Series, Game 8: India v Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Win By 51 Runs That's a big loss for India, who were nowhere without MS Dhoni today and are now in serious doubt of reaching the ODI tri-series final. Sri Lanka, recently remunerated for their services after a long payment drought, are an entirely fresh unit and suddenly loving life Down Under. Kulasekara pips Perera to the post to bag the Man of the Match award. The next game of the series sees today's winners take on the hosts in Hobart on Friday. Cheers.

Over 45.1 Perera W 238-10 - WICKET! An awful full toss is enough to seal the deal for Sri Lanka, with Pathan's rush of blood to the head seeing him smack the ball straight back to the bowler, who merrily holds onto the return catch. So commence the Sri Lankan celebrations and the Indian commiserations...

Over 45 Malinga 0-0-4-1-0-0 238-9 - A clever piece of premeditation brings Pathan four lofted over short fine-leg. The all-rounder is quite prepared to let the number 11 earn his keep too, with Yadav obliging by digging out two potentially toe-cracking yorkers.

Over 44 Perera 0-1-0-0-0-W 233-9 - WICKET! A very cheap over takes its toll on Vinay, who holes out to backward point. A veritable livewire in that position, 12th man Senanayake, on the field for Thirimanne, takes a great catch on the dive. Yadav in now and the Fat Lady is busy warming up her voice in preparation of Sri Lankan triumph.

Over 43 Malinga 1-1-1-1-1-W 232-8 - Malinga returns to the attack and proves spot on, particularly with his length. Pathan trying to play the ball deep from the his crease in a quest to find the fence, but it ain't working. WICKET! Aswhin, meanwhile, is outdone by a clever slower ball. Attempting to run it down to thirdman, the right-hander succeeds only in feathering and edge to the wicketkeeper. That's it for the all-rounders. We are into the tail-enders now as Vinay steps to the crease.

Over 42 Kulasekara 1-1-1-2-1lb-1 227-7 - An over without a boundary sees the asking rate scream to 7.87.

Over 41 Perera 1-1-1-W-4-1 220-7 - Perera returns to the attack and enjoys immediate success. WICKET! For the first time, Patel tries to force the issue, but to no avail. The ball strikes the bat high up on its face, with the result a skier. Three men converge under the catch, and there is almost an almighty mix-up as to who is going to take it. Malinga calls for it and duly pockets it - calamity avoided. Aswhin in now. Pathan still going strong, but running out of support.

Over 40 Kulasekara 1wd-4-4-1-0-1-1 212-6 - India have a long way to go but Pathan is determined to do this on his own if he has to, duly tucking into a couple of swats past midwicket for four and four again. Lady Luck, meanwhile, pays Patel a visit as his leading edge bobbles to safety between the point and cover field. India need 78 runs from 60 balls to win from here on in...

Over 39 Malinga 4-1-0-1-0-1 200-6 - Panic is rife in the Indian camp now, with Pathan lacing four through the cover region but then almost running himself out at the non-striker's end. 200 up for India regardless.

Over 38 Kulasekara 1-4-1wd-1-W-1-1 193-6 - This might be Pathan's day to show that he is, indeed, worthy of his status as an all-rounder. WICKET! Not Jadeja, though, who manages to drag a full, wide delivery onto his stumps. He is livid with himself, smacking his bat with his fist in frustration. That delivery wasn't really worthy of a breakthrough, but so be it. Wicketkeeper-batsman Patel in now - usually an opener, he is in at eight today.

Over 37 Malinga 1wd-2-2-1lb-0-0-4 184-5 - An absolute comedy of errors as Jadeja digs out a yorker, toys with running a quick single, is almost run-out at the striker's end, lives to fight on, then steals the single on the back of the overthrow and again is almost run-out at the striker's end. Malinga isn't at all happy with proceedings, so bites back with a screaming bouncer to almost knock Pathan's block off. The batsman later has the final say of the over, swatting some leg-side rubbish to the fine-leg fence for four.

Over 36 Perera 2-4-W-0-0-2 174-5 - The right-arm seamer duly returns to the attack. as the batting Powerplay commences and the next five overs will surely decide who is going to win the match. WICKET! As has so often been the case in the past, the five-over tactic gets off to an awful start for the batting side. Kohli, the key in the contest, falls. Some horrible timing on the pull sees the ball bobble to mid-on, where Kulasekara is at hand for the catch. Next in is Pathan, promoted ahead of Patel as predicted.

Over 35 Maharoof 1-0-0-2-4-0 166-4 - Maharoof concludes his 10 overs for the day, but not before fetching four straight down the ground on the back of Jadeja's decision to some attacking shot selection. He and Kohli would've surmised during the drinks break that they need to step on the gas here. Don't want to leave too much for the lower order to do later.

Over 34 Herath 0-1-1-1-0-1 159-4 - Some old-school thinking might find the need to send a pinch-hitter just now. Irfan or Ashwin ahead of Parthiv, perhaps. Drinks break, meanwhile.

Over 33 Maharoof 155-4 - Much the same as the previous over. India can't afford this for too long. The asking rate is now sitting at 7.94. The batting Powerplay is still to come, though.

Over 32 Herath 1-0-1-1-0-0 151-4 - The time to steady ship is now, decide Kohli and Jadeja, taking in three singles in the process to bring up the team 150.

Over 31 Maharoof 0-1-W-0-1-1 148-4 - WICKET! A Sri Lankan fielder actually manages to hold onto a catch this time around. Thirimanne shows Chandimal how it is done, pouching a relatively easy chance as a leading edge balloons to cover. Raina was stuck in his crease there, with a lack of footwork proving his downfall. He might want to play that sort of line a lot straighter next time too. So ends a 92-run partnership. Jadeja in now.

Over 30 Herath 1-1-1-0-1-1 145-3 - FIFTY! Virat Kohli's rich vein of form continues as he cuts to cover for one more. He was the standout batsman in the Test series and now he's proving that he's tops in the one day arena as well. He has to count himself lucky though, those two let offs from Dinesh Chandimal should really have been taken.

Over 29 Maharoof 2-1-0-2-1-1 140-3 - Just a two-over spell for Malinga again. Jayawardene just making sure to keep the premier quick man fresh throughout the innings. Maharoof isn't quite as fast, but he always delivers a good line and it was actually surprising he didn't make it on the tour to South Africa. Runs on offer all over for the batsmen, the fielders are likely a bit down after those dropped catches.

Over 28 Herath 0-1-0-0-1-1 133-3 - MS Dhoni carries some drinks out the middle. It's not often you see the Indian skipper doing that sort of thing, but it's good to see he's still calling some of the shots and providing a few encouraging words to the young batsmen.

Over 27 Malinga 1-0-1-2-1-0 130-3 - Malinga has another chance to inflict a wicket here. He's surely still fuming after the Chandimal dropped catch. Wonder if that will fuel him to just produce a little something extra with the ball. Five from the over, Raina's not quite getting the ball off the wicket too easily and while the pair have put on 76, there's a distinct lack of boundaries coming. Still 160 to win, almost seven per over required. India are really missing the comfort of having Dhoni in the side.

Over 26 Herath 1-1-1-2-0-1 125-3 - Today is Virat Kohli's lucky day. Two dropped catches in the same area, by the same player. Kohli has to take advantage of this and do something special. They shoot off for a quick single and Malinga has a shy at the stump, but only succeeds in handing an overthrow.

Over 25 Malinga 0-2-1-1-2-1 118-3 - Lasith Malinga comes back into the attack now. That's a positive move from Jayawardene who needs to break this partnership. One feels without Dhoni in the lineup, the Indian batting is significantly weakened. Parthiv Patel has opened the batting for India, but he's yet to produce a really memorable batting performance and in a pressure situation like this, he is going to struggle. DROPPED! Oh dear, oh dear, Dinesh Chandimal does it again. Kohli hooks, Chandimal gets under it and grasses it again. Maybe he should go back to the wicketkeeping duties. One has to feel sorry for him, he's certainly taking an earful from the crowd on the mid-wicket boundary for those two chances.

Over 24 Herath 1-0-1-1wd-4-1-0 111-3 - Herath drops short and Kohli is quick to rock on the back foot and punish the spinner over mid-wicket. Cracking shot. He looks rather pleased with himself for that stroke. Kohli seems to have this ability to just get under the skin of the opposition and it just goes to show he has a good fighting spirit.

Over 23 Perera 1-0-0-0-2-1 103-3 - Perera is short and wide to the left-handed Raina who fails to take advantage and only gets a single. Kohli then goes very defensive, but managed to sneak a couple thanks to some fast running. Partnerhip is looking good at 49.

Over 22 Herath 0-1-0-1-1-2 99-3 - Time for the spinner to get into the action. Herath comes around the wicket to the left-handed Raina to bring it back into the batsman from the angle across him. There's little concern for the batsmen in the over and it looks like Kohli has shrugged off that dropped chance in the previous over.

Over 21 Perera 1-4-1-2-1-1 94-3 - DROPPED! Kohli goes on the pull and the Sri Lankans are already celebrating as it goes down the throat of Dinesh Chandimal at deep mid-wicket, but the youngster grasses the chance. Granted the ball was hit hard, but it was still a relatively easy chance as he hardly had to move.

Over 20 Mathews 0-0-1-0-0-0 84-3 - Mathews keeps it very tight with his medium pacers and it's just the single off the face of Kohli's bat. These two have a massive task on their hands and one fancies another wicket here for Sri Lanka would put them on course for victory.

Over 19 Perera 0-1-0-1-0-0 83-3 - Cheap overs doing nothing to lower India's asking rate, which is now sitting at an uncomfortable 6.67.

Over 18 Mathews 0-1-0-2-0-0 81-3 - The veterans failed and the youngsters are eager to succeed, with Kohli and Raina tentatively tucking in for the long haul. No need for risky shots at the moment, instead a collective bid to lay a solid foundation.

Over 17 Perera 0-2-2wd-0-0-0-0 78-3 - Nothing one-dimensional about Sri Lanka's attack, but yet another right-arm seamer enters the attack with a tidy over, bar the wide. India coughed up as many as 18 wides earlier, and 12 in the previous match, by the way.

Over 16 Mathews 1-0-0-2-1-1 74-3 - Sri Lanka call for their bowling Powerplay and it almost starts with a breakthrough. Mathews forced a leading edge from the bat of Raina, with Dilshan putting a full dive to his right in a bid to take the catch at backward point. He got both hands and most of his fingertips to it, but ultimately couldn't hang on. That would've been a sensational take. Drinks break, meanwhile.

Over 15 Maharoof 0-2-1-0-0-3 69-3 - Gambhir didn't and it proved his downfall, but Gambhir makes sure that his flash outside the off-stump is a full-blooded affair, with the edge fetching enough steam behind it to avoid the fielder at gully. Raina later fancies a fat dip over long-off, but misses the shot and looks the fool for it. India need measure, not ill-disciplined aggression here. The bowling and batting Powerplays are now available.

Over 14 Mathews 0-0-0-2-1-0 63-3 - Change of bowling. A dozen deliveries to get there, but Kohli finally gets off the mark. It takes a misfield in the cover region to get him his first runs. Taking wickets with enough regularity and stringing together tight overs, Sri Lanka are well on top here.

Over 13 Maharoof 0-0-0-0-0-0 60-3 - Kohli has been at the crease for more than five overs now and still isn't off the mark. Raina, meanwhile, is content on the defence for the time being as Maharoof cherishes a rare maiden.

Over 12 Kulasekara W-1wd-0-0-4lb-0-1 60-3 - WICKET! Hook, line and sinker. Kulasekara floats through a little away-swinger to Gambhir, who follows it in shoddy fashion. Gully, or fly slip if you wish, is at hand for the catch and the bowler is delighted that the plan worked. There was a massive gap between the only slip in place and Perera, who welcomed the shot straight to his palms. A relatively settled batsman falls and India are pretty much back to square one again. Raina in now. Rohit not playing today, remember.

Over 11 Maharoof 0-4-0-4-0-1 54-2 - Short and wide from Maharoof, and subsequent punishment as Gambhir nails a lavish cut right in the screws for four through cover. That's followed by four more on the back of a similar shot from a similar piece of rubbish form the bowler. 50 up for India, who steadily recovering from the loss of Sehwag and Tendulkar.

Over 10 Kulasekara 0-4-0-0-1wd-1-0 45-2 - The right-arm seamer's largely economical figures fetch a dent as Gambhir slaps a rank half-volley straight down the ground for four. The bowler then coughs up a leg-side wide, tries to fool the umpire into not calling it, but is promptly dealt the extra because Gambhir's glance didn't get any bat on the shot. So ends the mandatory opening Powerplay.

Over 9 Maharoof 1-0-0-0-0-0 39-2 - Kohli is tentative and doesn't get onto the front foot well enough to successfully defend Maharoof's leg-cutter. The ball strikes him on the front pad, up goes the shout for lbw, but down stays the umpire's finger - rightly so. Television replays reveal that the angle was headed over the stumps.

Over 8 Kulasekara 1-0-0-0-W-0 38-2 - WICKET! Again, no 100th international century for Sachin. The veteran toys with playing the shot, but at the last possible moment decides to shoulder arms to the probing line. Too late, though, the ball cops the inside edge and duly crashes into the stumps. A mere 78 runs (again, not the sarcasm, please) of the milestone, a sorry Sachin mopes off. Kohli in now.

Over 7 Maharoof 1-0-2-2-1-0 37-1 - Pushing away from his body, Gambhir rides a couple of thick edges through the on-side, where no Indian fielder is close enough to have the shaky shots caught. Lady Luck visiting the plighted left-hander time and time again here.

Over 6 Kulasekara 0-0-0-0-2-0 31-1 - Gambhir is entirely at sea out there, backing away to the leg-side, missing his shots and generally at the mercy of the bowler. He'll need to rectify this quickly and soon does so to a degree, with some handy timing through square-leg for two.

Over 5 Maharoof 4-0-1-0-0-4 29-1 - Just a short opening spell for Malinga, who is replaced by his fellow right-armer, albeit one a lot slower than the pace ace. Tendulkar loves the looseners the new bowler is coughing up, dispatching the first straight down the ground for four and the next across point for the same result. We've stated this many times before, but let's do it again, and hope that we don't put the pox on him - Sachin looking dead set for that milestone today.

Over 4 Kulasekara 0-0-0-1-0-0 20-1 - Gambhir struggling to get off the mark, beaten outside the off-stump and then struggling to work the ball off the square. Some nifty footwork, which sees him dart across his stumps, eventually brings him his first run of the day through midwicket. Later Tendulkar is bamboozled by a lovely piece of away swing from the right-armer.

Over 3 Malinga 0-4-1wd-3-1lb-0-4 19-1 - Tendulkar going strong, cracking four past cover and then carving three wide of point. Later left to the strike, Gambhir is the recipient of Malinga's correction in line and length, copping a fast yorker. With his toes saved from pain, the left-hander is happy to scamper through for a leg-bye and watch from the safety of the non-striker's end as Tendulkar opts through the on-side in closing the over with a wonderful piece of wrist work for four through midwicket.

Over 2 Kulasekara 0-0-1-0-0-0 6-1 - Tendulkar looking as organised in his shot selection and stroke play as ever, but will he have the legs for a big knock, perhaps even a three-figure vigil, this time around? Probably not. Time might prove me wrong, though. I hope it, and he, does. Any takers on when, if, he will get that elusive 100th international ton? Maybe in the Asia Cup... of 2017. Your opinion welcome at: jon.wilson@365.co.za.

Over 1 Malinga 0-W-0-2-0-3 5-1 - WICKET! An entirely forecast dismissal. Sehwag is the only batsman in the world the opposition can plan to have hole out at thirdman. He does just that here, hanging his bat out to dry, with the top edge spooning to Kulasekara on the fence. That was hardly an upper-cut, nor a vehement loft of any sort - very empty shot. He mopes off, without a semblance of dignity to show for his effort - not the knock India wanted from their stand-in captain. Gambhir in now. Tendulkar, meanwhile, only 95 runs short of that elusive 100th international century - note the sarcasm, the irony, the wit.

India's Chase All and sundry back out in the middle after a quick bite to eat. Sehwag and Tendulkar to kick off India's pursuit of the highest score in the ODI tri-series thus far.

290 to win for India That's a big total to chase here at The Gabba and India are certainly going to need a fast start from Virender Sehwag. Dare I suggest today be the day for a Sachin century? We'll have to see about that later when the players return.

Over 50 Kohli 1-0-5wd-1wd-4-1-1-1 289-6 - As if the last over wasn't surprising enough, now Virat Kohli is into the attack for the final over. I fear Sehwag has made a mistake in rotating his bowlers today. Kohli's bowling just over 100kph and he's actually a tricky customer because he bowls off the wrong foot, but strays down leg and Patel can't do anything about it as it rolls over the boundary. Bonus runs for Sri Lanka. Two wides in a row, but this time Patel saves it. He goes down leg again, but there's a touch from Mathews' gloves and it's four more. Patel is visibly unhappy behind the stumps. Now we've got the highest score of the tri-series as Sri Lanka end on 289 for six. Great innings by the islanders.

Over 49 Raina W-1-0-6-1wd-1-1 275-6 - Well this is an interesting call, bringing Suresh Raina into the attack after 48 overs. WICKET! What an inspired change from Sehwag. Raina bowls Perera first ball up. He goes for the big swing, but misses as his leg stump gets pegged back. Who would have thought. It's Maharoof in now and he get a single to put Mathews on strike. DROPPED! Sharp caught behind chance for Patel standing up to the stumps. He nearly gets it on the second grab, but no such luck. DROPPED! Two in two balls, but this time it goes for six as it just touches the hand of VIrat Kohli on the mid-wicket boundary. One over to go. Expect some big hitting from Mathews.

Over 48 Yadav 1-2-4-1-1-1wd-1lb 265-5 - Smack and smack! Perera goes on the pull and gets it just over the man at mid-wicket for two before smashing a second one more convincingly and this time he finds the boundary. He's wasted no time in getting his eye in. It's looking a very good total for Sri Lanka.

Over 47 Vinay Kumar 2-1-2-2-1 254-5 - APPEAL! This is where it gets exciting. The running between the wickets comes under scrutiny again, but a desperate dive from Mathews sees him home in time. Parthiv Patel took the bails off, but perhaps a direct hit would have seen him on his way. They've stolen eight off that over without even going for a boundary, three overs left what can Sri Lanka do from here?

Over 46 Ashwin 2-1-0-2-1-W 244-5 - I think Sri Lanka should be aiming at getting over 270 here, although with Mathews there anything could still happen. They're running well betwen the wickets turning the ones into twos. WICKET! But wait, there's a twist as Thirimanne lofts the ball over extra cover and Suresh Raina runs across the turf to complete the catch. Will it be Thisara Perera next? He can hit a long ball.

Over 45 Vinay Kumar 1-0-5nb-1-4-2-1 238-4 - Vinay Kumar comes around the wicket to the left-hander who steps toward leg stump and smashes the ball straight, but he doesn't quite get all of it as they get in for a single. Vinay pulls out of his delivery stride and guess what? Thirimanne is again taking liberties in the backing up department. He really should just take the bails off now, Thirimanne's had enough chances. With the Mankad on his mind, Vinay delivers a high full toss and it's an easy put away on the leg side for Mathews, before Thirimanne steps outside off and sweeps it fine for another boundary. Very well played. India are certainly treading dangerously now with five overs remaining.

Over 44 Ashwin 1-0-1-0-1-1wd-4 224-4 - FIFTY! That's the half-ton for Thirimanne who has threatened through the series, but this has been a great innings of substance - apart from his over zealous backing up. Ashwin's still keeping an eye out to inflict the Mankad. Ashwin strays down leg and the extra ball gets punished as Tendulkar dives over it at short third man, not the best fielding we've seen by the Little Master. Sri Lanka are in great shape here.

Over 43 Yadav 0-2-4-0-0-2 216-4 - Mathews gets going now with a merciless pull to mid-wicket. A lazy Ravi Ashwin gives chase and he really should have put in a dive to stop that boundary. All these runs count and the more you can keep the batsman quiet, the pressure you apply on him. It's another overthrow conceded by India as the ball hits the stumps and ricochets into space. India need to tighten up here as Mathews is going to take advantage of any slip in the field.

Over 42 Sehwag 1-1-1-0-1-0 208-4 - Sehwag brings himself back into the attack, possibly with half an eye on getting the Mankad. The 1948/49 season was the first time the "Mankad" ocurred when India's Vinoo Mankad performed the controversial run out of Bill Brown in a Test match in Sydney. Ever since then, it's been infamously named after the Indian player. Possibly the most recent instance of the Mankad came in 1992 when Kapil Dev ran out South Africa's Peter Kirsten in an ODI in Port Elizabeth.

Over 41 Pathan 1-1-0-1-1wd-0-1 203-4 - Double hundred comes up for Sri Lanka with just over nine overs to play and two in-form batsmen at the crease. Can you believe it, Thirimanne is backing up a mile a the non-striker's end again. Someone should get the message out to Pathan that the warning has been given and it's time to run out the sneaky batsmen. It seems he doesn't learn and is offering a free wicket to the Indians.

Over 40 Ashwin 0-1-1-1-0-0 198-4 - MANKAD! Big moment here as Ashwin runs Thirimanne out at the non-striker's end in his delivery stride. Thirimanne is backing up way to much and Ashwin asks for the appeal. The umpires confer and ask Sehwag if he wants the appeal to stand. Sehwag appears to nod favourably until Sachin Tendulkar joins the conversation. The senior man appears to restore order and give Thirimanne the chance. Sehwag has no option but to listen to Tendulkar - as anyone would - and withdraw the appeal. At least the message is delivered to Thirimanne that he needs to be careful with his backing up.

Over 39 Pathan 1wd-1-1-0-1-0-W 195-4 - Pathan starts the over with a wide, but comes back well as he mixes up his pace and sneaks one past Thirimanne. CHANCE! There's nearly a run out as Thirimanne comes charging down for a single from the non-striker's end, but Chandimal sees him late and sends him back Pathan can't get to the ball in time and Thirimanne makes it home safely. WICKET! Pathan slides in the yorker and Chandimal is all around it as it crashes into the base of the leg stump. Perfect yorker from Pathan.

Over 38 Ashwin 1-1-4-0-2-0 191-3 - Disappointing fielding from India. There's a chance for a run out as the ball go on the off side to Suresh Raina. He goes for a shy at the non-striker's end, but Vinay Kumar and Virender Sehwag fail to back up for the throw and it goes over the ropes for four bonus runs. In his innings of 37, that's the first four for Chandimal. He's done well with Thirimanne to get the run-rate back over five.

Over 37 Pathan 1-0-1-1-4-2 183-3 - Another fine stroke from Thirimanne who upper cuts over slip for four more. Third man has no chance when he plays that shot and the partnership continues to grow, this is getting very threatening for India who need to take a wicket soon.

Over 36 Vinay Kumar 0-1-0-1-4-0 174-3 - Batting Powerplay time. Good call from Sri Lanka as they have two batsmen looking well set at the crease. Thirimanne is looking to go over the top, but failing to get his timing right. It might just be better to take the Powerplay when the big-hitting Mathews is in although Thirimanne proves it's not just about the big shots as he guides one over slip and over the ropes. Clever shot to bring up the 50-run partnership.

Over 35 Jadeja 1wd-1-0-1-1-2-3 168-3 - Final over for Jadeja, but he starts with a wide to put a blemish on his figures. A few more singles come off the Sri Lankan bats before the outside edge brings Thirimanne three runs. Great spell from the spinner, not a single boundary hit off his bowling today.

Over 34 Sehwag 1-1-0-1-1-0 159-3 - CHANCE! Lazy running from the batsmen nearly gets them into trouble, but the lack of a direct hit keeps them alive. There's no way there should have been a run out chance, but Chandimal just seems to just lose his concentration.

Over 33 Jadeja 1-0-1-0-1-1 155-3 - Jadeja into his ninth over now. He's been rather economical today, going for just over 3.6 per over. While he hasn't threatened too much in terms of taking wickets, he's successfully managed to keep the runs down. Not a single boundary has been hit off his bowling today.

Over 32 Yadav 4-1-1-0-1wd-1-0 151-3 - Thirimanne goes down on one knee and cracks another one through the boundary. He's looking rather impressive down here at number five. He usually opens the batting in the Test side and with Jaywardene's promotion to the top of the order, it's a nice change for the left-hander. The 150 comes up for Sri Lanka now and with 18 overs to go and seven wickets in hand, they're looking in a decent position.

Over 31 Jadeja 1-0-1-0-1-1 142-3 - Ever since that opening partnership from Dilshan and Jayawardene things have slowed down dramatically for Sri Lanka. CHANCE! So nearly a caught and bowled as Chandimal just bunts it back to Jadeja. Bit of a nothing shot, but fortunately for him it bounces just short of the bowler.

Over 30 Yadav 1-0-4-0-0-0 138-3 - Thirimanne shows he's got a soft touch as he just lets the ball run off the face of the blade past a wide first slip and it's fine enough to beat the third man. There's 20 overs to go, 250 is starting to look like a good total, but some late hitting could just propel Sri Lanka to about 270.

Over 29 Jadeja 1-1-1-1-1-0 133-3 - Thirimanne needs a good innings here , we haven't seen too much of him on this tour as he's been in and out the side. Never really had a chance to settle, but he's got more than 20 overs to bat here and could really make a name for himself.

Over 28 Yadav W-0-0-0-0-4 128-3 - WICKET! What a comeback for Yadav. He pitches it short and Sangakkara takes the bait with Tendulkar back on the boundary. He's been getting the crowd very excited down there and now they have even more to shout about as takes the catch. He hardly had to move and Sangakkara will be kicking himself on the way back to the Sri Lankan dressing room. Thirimanne is the new man and he's hasn't been in the greatest form, but he gets off the mark with a cracking cover drive which gives the sweeper no chance.

Over 27 Jadeja 0-0-1-1-0-0 124-2 - Chandimal looks a class act since coming into the side. He's also been good behind the stumps since making his Test debut in South Africa. Rather interesting to see he holds the gloves in the Test side and Sangakkara in the ODI side, yet both players play both forms of the game.

Over 26 Ashwin 1-0-1-2-1-0 122-2 - The experts are already suggesting that 250 will be a tough chase on this pitch. So if India can keep this innings down to 230, they'll have the upper hand, but to so, they're going to need some wickets here. Still no boundaries coming though as the batting duo just work it around the park.

Over 25 Jadeja 0-0-1-1-0-1 117-2 - A run rate that started off around the seven per over mark is now just a touch above four, so this has been a great effort by the Indian skipper Virender Sehwag, but he actually needs a couple more wickets as Sri Lanka have some big hitters who could do some serious damage in the late overs.

Over 24 Ashwin 0-1-0-1-1-0 114-2 - Boundaries have dried up now and we're clearly into that period of play where the ball gets worked around the field for ones and twos. Sangakkara and Chandimal are both looking in decent form and are yet to take any risks. They have plenty of time and can just work the ball around to make a nice big partnership.

Over 23 Jadeja 1-1-0-1-1-1 111-2 - This momentum of this game suddenly changed with two new batsmen at the crease facing two settled bowlers, but the Sri Lankans don't seem too worried as they push around a couple of singles. The dreaded Nelson comes up on the board, let's hope he doesn't strike today.

Over 22 Ashwin 1-0-0-0-W-1wd-1 106-2 - WICKET! The batsmen are just struggling to find the gaps all of a sudden and that pressure forces Dilshan to have a slash outside off, but it takes a feather edge and Parthiv Patel holds on to the catch. Two great catches from India so far today and it's another batsman who's made a good start, but failed to push on.

Over 21 Jadeja 0-0-1-1-0-0 103-1 - Spin from both ends now as Jadeja comes back into the attack. He comes around the wicket to the left-handed Sangakkara who is immediately off the mark as he eases it toward long-on.

Over 20 Ashwin 0-4-0-1wd-0-0-1 101-1 - The hundred comes up and so does Dilshan's fifty. He's impressed in this innings, especially early on. Now he needs to go through to three figures to give Sri Lanka a fighting chance here today.

Over 19 Pathan 2-2-0-W-0-0 95-1 - WICKET! It's the best opening partnership of the series, but it's broken in sensational. Jayawardene cracks the ball to mid-wicket and a fantastic diving catch from his opposite number Virender Sehwag brings the innings to an end. The skipper was diving to his left and got both hands to the ball to take an absolute stunner.

Over 18 Ashwin 1-0-0-4-1wd-0-1 91-0 - Short and down leg from Ashwin and he's lucky not to be punished as Jaywardene only gets two to fine leg. But then he steps towards leg and cuts on the off side for four runs. Sri Lanka nearing a 100 partnership here, it's been such good batting so far.

Over 17 Pathan 1-1-0-0-1-1 84-0 - Here we go. Tony Grieg is already thinking today might be the day for Sachin Tendulkar to get that 100th hundred. Let's not get too carried away though, India still have a job to do with the ball here. Still ten wickets to take as the teams take a minute for a drink.

Over 16 Ashwin 1-0-0-0-0-0 80-0 - Bowling Powerplay called for by India as Ravichandran Ashwin gets brought into the attack. He's around the wicket to the right-handers with the hope of finding the outside edge to the ball that skids on straight. That's what he delivers on the final ball of the over and it beats Dilshan's outside edge. Great start for Ashwin.

Over 15 Pathan 2-1-0-0-1-0 79-0 - With the captaincy now on Jayawardene it seems Dilshan is playing with much more freedom than he did on the tour of South Africa. He now gets to play his usual game, which admittedly involves risk, but when it comes off it really is great for Sri Lanka. Jayawardene meanwhile seems to be reveling with the captaincy and this promotion to the top of the order. APPEAL! Pathan traps Dilshan on the pads and asks umpire Billy Bowden what he thinks. Just a shake of the head from the New Zealander. Perhaps that ball was swinging back into the right-hander a bit too much, while height was also a concern there.

Over 14 Jadeja 1b-1-2-1-0-1 75-0 - The spinner's getting through his overs nice and quickly which is great for India as the slow over rate is the reason their skipper is missing today. He just isn't quite penetrating enough or asking much of the batsmen, they're happy to just tap the ball around and they're really making a great start to this match.

Over 13 Pathan 1-1-1-1lb-1-0 69-0 - Some good hitting again from the Sri Lankans and again it's without much risk to losing a wicket. Going at just around 5.3 per over and that was threatening at around seven earlier, so India have done well to pull it back slightly.

Over 12 Jadeja 0-0-1-1-1-1 64-0 - Easy singles on offer as the spinner comes into the attack for the first time. With the fielders out of the circle now, the batsmen can just work the ball around. There's no risk from a batting point of view, so it's great for the Sri Lankans.

Over 11 Pathan 1-2-0-2-0-1wd-1 60-0 - The Powerplay is over for now and there's a slight delay with gloves and drinks coming on for the Sri Lankans. Wonder if that's just an excuse to deliver a message to the batsmen. There's now a man sweeping on the cover boundary and he denies Dilshan of a boundary and they have to settle for two. Yadav digs in the short ball, but it's way over Dilshan's head and is rightly given wide.

Over 10 Yadav 1-1-0-0-0-0 53-0 - Two good overs in succession from the Sri Lankans as Yadav gets the radar on target this time around. Just a couple singles off the first two from each batsman before Yadav keeps the dangerous Dilshan quiet with the odd bouncer.

Over 9 Vinay Kumar 0-0-0-0-0-0 51-0 - Vinay Kumar does brilliantly to pull India back into the match and the pressure suddenly goes back on the batsmen who produce some very indifferent running between the wickets. Jayawardene slips to mid-wicket and sets off for a single, but both batsmen realise it's the wrong decision and they're back at their stations in a flash. Maiden, first one of the match.

Over 8 Yadav 4-3-2-0-0-0 51-0 - A chip and a pull from Jayawardene brings a boundary followed by three as Vinay Kumar makes a stop with his boot on the backward square boundary. The could have actually run four there, but were perhaps looking for it to trickle over the ropes. Yadav's against the ropes here and he pace it turning out be a bit of a disadvantage as the Sri Lankans are really tucking in.

Over 7 Vinay Kumar 2-1-2-0-4-0 42-0 - Boom! Some more fireworks from Dilshan who is racing into the 20s. The opener comes down the track to get to the pitch of the ball and places it over mid-wicket for four more. He looks in good touch and this is exactly the type of start Sri Lanka needs especially as it's the type of start India will hope to make with Sehwag back in the side.

Over 6 Yadav 0-0-0-1-6-4-0 33-0 - India bring their quickest bowler into the mix and he looks like the target man for Sri Lanka as Dilshan looks to smash him over mid-wicket, but the top-edge is thick and flies over third-man who can only watch as it goes into the stands. It's a very short boundary down there, only 65metres. He follows it up with a cracking stand-and-deliver drive through the covers and that's four more for Dilshan.

Over 5 Vinay Kumar 0-0-0-0-1- 22-0 - Vinay Kumar's in a bit of trouble here early on as umpire Paul Reiffel has a word with him for running on the pitch. He's bowling a very decent length at the moment and the ball coming into the right-hander is straightening quite well. APPEAL! Dilshan gets caught on the crease and Kumar goes up, but there's no interest from the umpire. Looks like there might have been an inside edge to save the former captain.

Over 4 Pathan 1-4-1-3-0-0 21-0 - Dilshan is definitely looking to go after the bowling today and goes for a wild slash outside off stump, but it takes a healthy edge and races past third-man for four. Jayawardene then whips one in the on the leg side and it's another three for the batsmen who are looking well set after the first four overs.

Over 3 Vinay Kumar 1-4-0-0-1-1 12-0 - Dilshan gets his afternoon underway with a cracking drive through cover. That's all in the wrists as he does very little with his feet. He can be so dangerous once he gets going. Quick single between the two and there's a desperate dive from Mahela at the striker's end, but he sneaks home as the direct from Raina hit misses the target.

Over 2 Pathan 1wd-0-0-2-0-1-0 5-0 - Irfan Pathan gets a chance with the new ball in Zaheer's absence. It's good swinging conditions which are ideal for the left-armer as he has no real pace to speak about. Jayawardene comes dancing down the track and launches him over mid-on's head, but it pulls up before the boundary and they're through for two.

Over 1 Vinay Kumar 1-0-0-0-0-0 1-0 - Mahela Jayawardene fronts up to the first ball and gets off the mark straight away. There's a hint of outswing for Vinay Kumar and it's carrying nicely through to the keeper today. Dilshan is kept very quiet as Kumar beats him outside off and India will be happy with this start.

Team news Sri Lanka come into the match with an unchanged XI, while India are without MS Dhoni who is suspended. Virender Sehwag comes in to take over the captaincy. Ravichandran Ashwin and Parthiv Patel are also in the side in place of Rohit Sharma and Zaheer Khan.

Sri Lanka win the toss Mahela Jayawardene has won the toss and chosen to bat first at The Gabba. India have Virender Sehwag as captain who admitted he would have also like to bat today.

Welcome Good morning and welcome to match six of the ODI tri-series. First news up is that Ricky Ponting has called time on his ODI career after being dropped from the one-day squad, but today it's all about the Indians and the Sri Lankans and the battle for a place in the final

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