The players are out. Starc to bowl

10.20am: It can't be too easy for the commentators knowing that their colleague for so many years, Tony Greig, will not be with them any longer. He will be missed. I too met the man six years ago for an audio recording for a show called the Tony Greig Show. Found him to be very pleasant and thoroughly professional.

Jack: "Bit of a waste not handing maxwell a cap today. Team selection seems to be brought about by nobody wanting to make a call on a bowler. Or maybe the selectors have David Hussey with his off spinners in mind for India." But with four quicks on a green pitch, how many overs will Lyon get, let alone a Maxwell?

Toss, 10am: Australia have won the toss on a green pitch and they are bowling first. The teams are updated above.

Australia are playing the same line-up they announced yesterday - four fast bowlers. Four changes for SL. Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne in for Sangakkara and Prasanna Jayawardene. Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep in for Welegedara and Eranga. Three of those changes were expected after the second Test. Eranga joined the injury list only yesterday, spraining his ankle while playing football!

Mulligan: "Happy New Year to you and all cricket followers too. It would be nice to see Mike Hussey end his career on a high note but part of me also wants to see Sri Lanka put on a decent show as the captain has stated. Will be thinking of Tony Greig and CMJ during this Test. I hope most fans wear a broad-brimmed hat, slap on some zinc, wear pink on Day 3 and enjoy the match at the SCG."

You can read the preview of this match by Brydon Coverdale. You may also read Andrew Fernando's piece on Mahela, and the challenges he has had to face as captain. A depleted Sri Lanka will have to raise its game like never before to give him a good send off.

Patch: "Where is Randiv? Surely he would be better than at least Pradeep, and probably Lakmal as well. If they are forced to shake things up, at least do it appreciably." Heard Clarke saying yesterday the SCG pitch has a lot of grass, hence the temptation to play more seamers.

9.45am: Happy new year to all of you joining us for the coverage of the third Test in Sydney, the second of the year. It's also the final Test for Mr Cricket Michael Hussey, who announced after the MCG Test that he would be bowing out after this summer. What a servant he has been for Australian cricket.

It's also the final Test as captain for Mahela Jayawardene. Possibly Sri Lanka's finest after Arjuna Ranatunga. Tactically sound. He took up the job last year, for the second time, because there were not too many options available. Over to Angelo Mathews after this Test.

Rastawookie: "Mixed emotions this Test. Disappointing to see the end of Mike Hussey's career, and what a stellar one it has been. Also a bit disappointed, because at the conclusion of this Test, its the maximum time until the next home test here in Australia. But got hopefully 4 or 5 to enjoy before I get too distraught."

The players will wear black armbands in memory of the legendary Tony Greig. Here's Brydon: "Channel 9 are doing their fly-in view of Sydney and they're replaying Tony Greig's voice-over from one time when he did it."

Clarke and Mahela are saying a few words about Tony before the toss.

0.1

Starc to Karunaratne, no run, good away movement straightaway, lands outside the off stump and good bounce too

0.2

Starc to Karunaratne, no run, lands it outside off and he leaves it alone, good bounce again

Three slips and a gully

0.3

Starc to Karunaratne, no run, bat on ball for the first time this morning, reaches out and punches it to point

0.4

Starc to Karunaratne, 1 run, Karunaratne tucks it away towards mid-on and slips as he sets off for the run, careful!

0.5

Starc to Dilshan, no run, first bouncer of the Test, bent just a little and it sailed over his head

0.6

Starc to Dilshan, no run, close call for Dilshan as the ball kicks up and nearly hits him on the thumb as he tried to fend it off, Starc will be aggressive after being rested for the previous Test surely, he was itching to play

1.1

Bird to Karunaratne, no run, loosener outside the off stump, a touch wide and left alone

1.2

Bird to Karunaratne, no run, a touch wide again and it comes back in before reaching the keeper

1.3

Bird to Karunaratne, no run, that one reared up! Karunaratne poked his bat out and withdrew in the last possible second, well left in the end

1.4

Bird to Karunaratne, no run, stays behind the line properly this time and tucks it to mid-on

1.5

Bird to Karunaratne, no run, drifts down the leg side and the batsman fails to clip it away

1.6

Bird to Karunaratne, no run, moves a touch across and pushes it softly down the track

Tony: "The selectors could have been consistent and rested Lyon to give Maxwell a chance. It's not as if Lyon is critical to the team's success, has hardly been a match winner!"

2.1

Starc to Dilshan, no run, strays down the leg side and that was awfully close to brushing his glove

2.2

Starc to Dilshan, no run, comes forward to defend and gets an inside edge to the pads, short leg's waiting!

2.3

Starc to Dilshan, no run, moves it across the right-hander and he safely leaves it alone

2.4

Starc to Dilshan, FOUR, that was sprayed wide outside off and Dilshan rarely misses out on those, comes well across and thrashes it wide of cover, top shot

2.5

Starc to Dilshan, no run, moves back in and he softly pushes it down the track

2.6

Starc to Dilshan, no run, gets some swing but he strays down the leg side, could have put that away

3.1

Bird to Karunaratne, 1 run, drifts on the pads and he tucks it softly down to fine leg

3.2

Bird to Dilshan, FOUR, that was too full and wide, Dilshan doesn't time the cover drive well but makes sure there's enough power on it to send it to the rope, Warner and Siddle sprint and they nearly tumble over the fence

3.3

Bird to Dilshan, no run, this was much better from Bird, short of a length and it kicks up and Dilshan gets his gloves out of the way

3.4

Bird to Dilshan, no run, stays behind the line and knocks it down the track

3.5

Bird to Dilshan, no run, hits a good length and he mistimes the drive back to the bowler

3.6

Bird to Dilshan, no run, pitches it up and gets it to move away, safely leaves it alone

4.1

Starc to Karunaratne, no run, fullish in length on the off stump and he pushes it to the off side

4.2

Starc to Karunaratne, 1 run, pushes a full delivery down to cover

4.3

Starc to Dilshan, 1 wide, that bouncer hardly troubles Dilshan but Wade really has to leap to collect that, well done

4.3

Starc to Dilshan, no run, good length outside off and he safely leaves it alone to the keeper

4.4

Starc to Dilshan, FOUR, 135 kph, inside edge! Memories of Dilshan's dismissal at the MCG, the ball swings in and he goes for the straighter drive, not far from the stumps and down to fine leg

4.5

Starc to Dilshan, 1 run, swings in again and he works it with the angle down to fine leg

4.6

Starc to Karunaratne, no run, gets across and steers him down to point

Thomas: "Clarke seems reluctant to toss the ball to Lyon at the best of times, resorting to him only if his fast guys are tired. Apparently all you need to do to show faith in your bowlers is call them "a good bloke" on television."

5.1

Bird to Dilshan, no run, full and he gets some swing, he knocks it to the off side

5.2

Bird to Dilshan, no run, this one moves away from the right-hander and he awkwardly pokes his bat out

5.3

Bird to Dilshan, no run, holds the length back slightly and it's a more assured leave to the keeper

5.4

Bird to Dilshan, 1 run, mistimes the drive but places it wide of midwicket for a single

Three slips, a gully and short leg

5.5

Bird to Karunaratne, 4 leg byes, strays on the pads, Karunaratne shuffled a bit too much but managed to tuck it away off his pads down to fine leg

5.6

Bird to Karunaratne, no run, fuller in length outside off and he pushes it to mid-off

6.1

Starc to Dilshan, no run, drifts towards the body and he shuffles and tucks it off his pads to the on side

6.2

Starc to Dilshan, 1 run, fuller and angling across and he mistimes the drive but finds a tiny gap at cover

6.3

Starc to Karunaratne, no run, gets good carry through to the keeper and that was mighty close to the edge, he just withdrew his gloves

6.4

Starc to Karunaratne, no run, stays back and works it to the on side

6.5

Starc to Karunaratne, no run, loose shot, feet rooted to the crease and driving away from the body, just past the edge

6.6

Starc to Karunaratne, 2 runs, this was fuller and he turns the face of the bat and tucks it wide of square leg for a couple

7.1

Bird to Dilshan, no run, half-hearted appeal for a lbw but that was swinging in far too much and would have missed leg stump, Dilshan ought to have put that away

7.2

Bird to Dilshan, 1 leg bye, swings in and he works it with the angle down to fine leg

7.3

Bird to Karunaratne, no run, solid in defense, this was fuller outside the off stump and he covered the line well

7.4

Bird to Karunaratne, no run, shorter in length and he moves across and defends solidly

7.5

Bird to Karunaratne, OUT, oh dear that was a soft dismissal! Karunaratne gets a top edge. It was short and the left-hander was eyeing that deep square leg boundary, played too early, fetched it from outside off and the ball swirled above the slips instead, Hussey jogged back a few yards and took the catch

FDM Karunaratne c Hussey b Bird 5 (33m 23b 0x4 0x6) SR: 21.73

Just when we were thinking that SL had negotiated the first half hour well

7.6

Bird to Dilshan, no run, full on the stumps and mistimed back to the bowler

Saj: "If the Aussie selectors speak about a rotation policy and resting fast bowlers, shouldn't Siddle be the one who deserves a rest?"

Speaking of....here he is

8.1

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, and Mahela gets off to a nervy start, short of a length and he awkwardly fends it off towards the slips, bounces short

8.2

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, not looking too comfortable, short again and fends it high on the bat, might well have left it alone

8.3

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, this was a touch too wide and he decides not to touch that

8.4

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, keeps it outside off and he shoulders arms again

8.5

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, this was a better delivery, straightens outside off and there was a tentative poke, withdrew his bat

8.6

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, gets good carry through to the keeper, moves across and leaves it alone

9.1

Bird to Dilshan, 1 run, had to scamper through for the single, pushed towards mid-off and the throw by Johnson to the keeper's end was too high, mahela was struggling a bit

9.2

Bird to Jayawardene, no run, tries to work it away with the movement to the on side but the ball clips his pads, missing leg

9.3

Bird to Jayawardene, no run, gets across and punches it solidly towards cover, came off the middle of the bat

9.4

Bird to Jayawardene, FOUR, that should make Mahela feel a lot better, it was short and he stayed back and swiveled and controlled the pull, just wide of the leg umpire, off the middle of the bat

9.5

Bird to Jayawardene, no run, stays back and defends it to the off side, this was a touch short too

9.6

Bird to Jayawardene, 1 leg bye, drifts on the pads and he tucks it to the leg side off the pads

10.1

Siddle to Jayawardene, FOUR, edged and dropped by Hussey! Mahela went forward and poked at the delivery that was pitched up, outside edge went at knee height between first and second slip, Hussey was late to move from second and stuck out his left hand

10.2

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, fullish and he moves across and pushes it to the off side

10.3

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, fuller again and he drives down to mid-off

10.4

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, this one straightens outside off and he doesn't offer a shot

10.5

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, keeps it outside off and Mahela is careful not to touch those after that edge

Clarke, Hussey and Hughes at slip

10.6

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, left alone outside off again, good over from Siddle, should have had a wicket

Peter Sleep writes (not sure if it's the Test cricketer): "re: Saj the selectors haven't mentioned the rotation policy - that's the media. Selectors call it player management and rest them when rest is required not just for the sake of it."

11.1

Johnson to Dilshan, no run, short of a length and he stays back and defends it high on the bat

11.2

Johnson to Dilshan, 1 run, stays back and tucks it away softly wide of midwicket for a single

11.3

Johnson to Jayawardene, 1 run, good calling, he went across and he pushed it towards cover and set off quickly

11.4

Johnson to Dilshan, no run, that was full and wide outside off and smashed straight to cover, that was a boundary ball

11.5

Johnson to Dilshan, no run, another boundary ball not put away, strays down the leg side and he tried to whip that to fine leg, missed

11.6

Johnson to Dilshan, no run, hits the deck hard and he safely ducks under that bouncer

12.1

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, lands it outside off and he gets some away movement before reaching the keeper

12.2

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, comes back in just a touch and he moves across and defends down the track

12.3

Siddle to Jayawardene, FOUR, crack! Mahela in good rhythm, this was short and wide and he played an assured square cut wide of backward point, head still and maintained his balance well too

12.4

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, just short of a length and moves away and he leaves it alone

12.5

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, punches it towards cover and tells his partner to wait

12.6

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, fullish in length outside off and he shoulders arms and it's drinks

At the corresponding break at the MCG on the opening day SL were not as assured. This is a better start. Let's see if they carry on

Sanjaya has a point: "Wonder why Thisara Perera is not given a chance when SL batting line up has not been that promising it's better to add an allrounder. All know he can bat well."

13.1

Johnson to Dilshan, no run, angles across the right-hander and he comes forward and angles it towards point

13.2

Johnson to Dilshan, no run, fullish on the off stump and he comes forward and defends towards cover

13.3

Johnson to Dilshan, 1 run, drifts on the pads and he knocks it towards square leg

13.4

Johnson to Jayawardene, 1 run, gets more inswing and he works it away down to fine leg

13.5

Johnson to Dilshan, no run, fuller on middle and leg and he punches it towards mid-on, it was a fuller delivery

13.6

Johnson to Dilshan, no run, short on the off stump and he leaves it alone to the keeper

14.1

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, stays short of a length and he stays back and defends to the off side

14.2

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, swings it in and he comes across and clips it to midwicket

14.3

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, fullish outside the off stump and he drives crisply and mid-off slides across and cuts it off

14.4

Siddle to Jayawardene, FOUR, that was a controlled hook, short down the leg side and he swiveled and went for the shot, got the top edge but well clear of fine leg

14.5

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, moves across and defends solidly to the off side, hitting the middle of the bat

14.6

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, fullish in length outside off and he safely leaves it alone

Dwayne Schultz: "Yesterday my children found a grasshopper in our house, which they promptly named 'Mr Cricket'. I suggested that instead they should call it 'Hussey', but they did not understand the joke. I am now certain beyond doubt that neither child is mine."

15.1

Johnson to Dilshan, no run, Johnson sprays that full and wide outside off, watchfully left alone to the keeper

15.2

Johnson to Dilshan, no run, full and wide and he tried to thrash it off the front foot and a roar went up when third slip jumped to take the catch, it was a bump ball

15.3

Johnson to Dilshan, 2 runs, full and wide again and he mistimes the drive but finds the gap at cover

15.4

Johnson to Dilshan, 1 run, drifts on the pads and he tucks it away to square leg

15.5

Johnson to Jayawardene, FOUR, well played! This was short and wide and Mahela hopped at the crease and cut him square on the off side, wide of backward point

15.6

Johnson to Jayawardene, 1 run, hops at the crease and tucks him towards square leg

Ian Stanley: "42/1? Sri Lanka will have to lose 9 wickets for 2 runs in order for NZ to feel good about their own effort."

16.1

Starc to Jayawardene, 1 run, goes back at the crease and tucks him away towards midwicket

16.2

Starc to Dilshan, no run, tucked to the on side and short leg gets a hand to it, Starc's moving it in looking to beat the gap between pad and bat

16.3

Starc to Dilshan, FOUR, nicely punched down the ground, fuller on the off stump and he showed the full face of the bat and pushed it wide of mid-off

16.4

Starc to Dilshan, no run, moves across him and he drills it down to mid-off

16.5

Starc to Dilshan, no run, angles it across and he gets forward and beside the line and steers it to the off side

16.6

Starc to Dilshan, 1 run, drifts on the pads and he tucks it to deep square leg, the fielder has been pushed back

17.1

Johnson to Dilshan, FOUR, didn't even bother running! That was a poor delivery, a half volley wide outside off, comes across and thrashes it past cover

17.2

Johnson to Dilshan, no run, full on middle and he mistimes the drive down to mid-off

17.3

Johnson to Dilshan, no run, good length on the off stump and punched down to cover point, tells his partner to wait

17.4

Johnson to Dilshan, 1 run, goes back at the crease and tucks it towards midwicket

17.5

Johnson to Jayawardene, no run, fullish on middle and leg and he drills it down to mid-on

17.6

Johnson to Jayawardene, no run, no swing at all for Johnson, Mahela stays behind the line and punches down the ground

Patrick: "Four quicks bowling first on a green top, aussie bowling doesn't look as potent as you'd think. India will be a little more relaxed thinking about their upcoming series."

18.1

Starc to Dilshan, no run

18.2

Starc to Dilshan, 3 runs, sprays it full outside off and Dilshan hits through the line and finds the big gap at cover

18.3

Starc to Jayawardene, no run, there was a sound before reaching the keeper and Wade fumbled, that brushed his thigh pad, relief for Wade because at first it looked like an edge

18.4

Starc to Jayawardene, no run, comes across and pushes him towards point

18.5

Starc to Jayawardene, no run, stays back and defends to the off side

18.6

Starc to Jayawardene, no run, fuller in length and mistimes the drive back to the bowler

Bird returns. 2 slips, a gully and a short cover

19.1

Bird to Dilshan, no run, bowls it full and he pushes it down to mid-off, wants to get him driving

19.2

Bird to Dilshan, no run, keeps it on the off stump and he comes across and defends down the track

19.3

Bird to Dilshan, no run, full and wide and he shaped to smash that to pieces but ended up mistiming the drive to Warner at short cover

19.4

Bird to Dilshan, no run, angles towards the pads and he clips it to midwicket

19.5

Bird to Dilshan, no run, drifts on the pads and he looks to work it to the on side and the ball clips his pads and rolls away

19.6

Bird to Dilshan, no run, edged but short of Hussey at second slip! The ball seems to be following him this morning, played it with soft hands

20.1

Starc to Jayawardene, no run, drifts on the pads and he fails to put this away

20.2

Starc to Jayawardene, no run, close call! It was a bit too close to cut and there was extra bounce too, slashed and missed

20.3

Starc to Jayawardene, 2 runs, full outside the off stump and he drives him wide of cover

20.4

Starc to Jayawardene, no run, stays back at the crease and tucks him away down to midwicket

20.5

Starc to Jayawardene, no run, drifts towards the pads again and he shuffles to clip it away but can't beat square leg

20.6

Starc to Jayawardene, no run, on the pads and he pushes it back to the bowler

21.1

Bird to Dilshan, no run, pitches it up and he drives to the off side

21.2

Bird to Dilshan, no run, this was a brave leave, good delivery by Bird as he gets it to nip back and sail over the stumps

21.3

Bird to Dilshan, no run, lands it outside off and he leaves it to the keeper

21.4

Bird to Dilshan, OUT, edged! Bird pitches this on a good length on the off stump and gets it to move away, Dilshan is tentative, fishes at it and there's a thick edge to Wade

TM Dilshan c †Wade b Bird 34 (100m 61b 5x4 0x6) SR: 55.73

21.5

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, Thirimanne has been given out lbw and he is referring it! Bird got it to swing in sharply, landed on leg stump line and it struck the base of the pads as he tried to flick it away, Dar gave him out immediately but on normal speed it looked like missing leg, replays confirmed that had swung a bit too much

21.6

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, gets well across and he pushes it to the off side

22.1

Starc to Jayawardene, 2 runs, he clips it towards midwicket for a couple

22.2

Starc to Jayawardene, no run, fullish outside off and he leaves it alone

22.3

Starc to Jayawardene, no run, lands outside off and he safely leaves it alone

22.4

Starc to Jayawardene, no run, short of a length and slanting across him and he leaves it alone

22.5

Starc to Jayawardene, no run, bangs it in short and he quickly gets his head out of the way

22.6

Starc to Jayawardene, no run, short outside off and he tried to cut it away but missed

23.1

Lyon to Thirimanne, 2 runs, Lyon creates a chance first ball! Thirimanne went forward and spooned the drive towards backward point

23.2

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, gets some turn and bounce, gets his pad across and leaves it alone

Slip and silly point in place

23.3

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, tossed up and he comes forward and defends

23.4

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, tossed up and he stays back and steers it towards point

23.5

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, gets his pad across and leaves it alone, good bounce

23.6

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, tosses it up and draws him forward and he drives to mid-off

Senaka Wijesinghe: "I'm surprised to believe that Upul Taranga isnt playing for this test . He is playing for one day team but how did we miss him in this test team when we are short of experienced players due to injuries to Sanga and Prasanna. "

24.1

Bird to Jayawardene, no run, this was a low full toss which he tucks straight to mid-on

24.2

Bird to Jayawardene, 1 run, fullish on the pads and he works it away down to midwicket

24.3

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, continues over the wicket to the left-hander, he safely leaves it alone

24.4

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, full and angling across him and he drives to mid-off

24.5

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, shorter delivery outside off and he safely leaves it alone

24.6

Bird to Thirimanne, 2 runs, Thirimanne leans forward and stabs at it, it was in the air for a short while but wide of mid-off

25.1

Lyon to Jayawardene, no run, tossed up and he knocks it to the on side

25.2

Lyon to Jayawardene, 1 run, comes forward and pushes it towards mid-on for a single

25.3

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, comes forward and defends wide of silly point

25.4

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, gives it more air and it lands on a yorker length, drills it back to the bowler

25.5

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, tossed up outside off and he defends to the off side

25.6

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, pushed through quicker and he defends back to the bowler and it's lunch

12.30pm: Two wickets have gone down but the reassuring part for Sri Lanka is their captain Mahela is looking solid. He started shakily, was dropped at slip but has ended the session well. Bird's been the best of the seamers. The others haven't got the kind of swing they would have liked. Australia will have to be patient as it's not that bad a wicket to bat on on the opening day. Join us in 40 minutes.

Damo: "Jackson Bird MUST develop a post-wicket celebration. I'm thinking a take-off of Daddy Cool doing the Eagle Rock. Gotta be better than Brett Lee's "Chainsaw"." How about Dale Steyn's 'flogging to the ground" celebration?

Welcome back

26.1

Siddle to Jayawardene, FOUR, Siddle strays on the pads and Jayawardene easily flicks this wide of midwicket to start the second session nicely

26.2

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, lands it outside off and he safely leaves it alone

26.3

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, commits forward and he comes forward and defends to the off side

26.4

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, stays beside the line and he pushes it to the off side

26.5

Siddle to Jayawardene, FOUR, the captain's on song after lunch, it wasn't that bad a ball, pitched up outside off and he showed the full face of the bat and drove it elegantly wide of cover

26.6

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, good length on the off stump and defended to the off side

27.1

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, lands it outside off and it moves away from him, leaves it alone

27.2

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, that was a jaffa! Phew! Lands on off and middle and moves away, Thirimane had to play at it and it somehow beat the edge

27.3

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, finds similar movement across and he gets nicely across and defends down the track

27.4

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, short of a length outside off and he punches it to the off side

27.5

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, comes across and pats it away the off side

27.6

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, gets good movement off the seam and he safely leaves it alone, watches it through

J-Mac: "Damo: I much prefer the 1930s-style celebration, where the bowlers just stood quietly to one side looking bored and slightly awkward until the next batsman came out."

28.1

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, gets good carry through to the keeper, lands it outside the off stump

28.2

Siddle to Jayawardene, FOUR, Mahela's driving them crisply after lunch, wonder what he ate, fullish in length outside off, no movement to trouble him, he gets half forward and drives square on the off side wide of backward point

28.3

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, drifts towards middle and leg and he tucks it to the on side

28.4

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, good length on the off stump and he steers it to the off side

28.5

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, superb stroke off the meat of the bat but straight to cover, comes forward and he hits it off the middle of the bat

28.6

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, again Siddle not getting any swing, goes straight through to the keeper

29.1

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, Bird pitches it up and gets slight movement and Thirimanne mistimes the drive square on the off side

29.2

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, fullish outside the off stump and he drives him down to cover

29.3

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, stays beside the line and he steers it to the off side

29.4

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, drifts to the pads and he fails to clip it away properly, hits his pads and drops away

29.5

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, gets nicely behind the line and defends down the track

Now there's a silly mid-off for the left-hander

29.6

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, holds the length back and he stays right back and defends

30.1

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, short of a length outside off and he stays back and defends

30.2

Siddle to Jayawardene, FOUR, cracked away! This was short and Mahela reads the length early, swivels and clubs it along the ground down to deep square leg

30.3

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, fuller and outside off and he safely leaves it alone

30.4

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, gets across and he comes across and leaves it alone

Mahela pulls out as Siddle runs in because a cameraman picked the wrong time to head towards the sightscreen. Siddle isn't too pleased with the cameraman

30.5

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, short of a length and he defends this one to the off side

30.6

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, nearly spoons it low back to the bowler, he checks his shot

31.1

Bird to Thirimanne, FOUR, he leans forward and clips him wide of midwicket for a boundary, yet another boundary after lunch

31.2

Bird to Thirimanne, no run

31.3

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, comes forward and plays the spooned drive to the off side, he has played a few of these

31.4

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, holds the length back and he stays back and defends

31.5

Bird to Thirimanne, no run

31.6

Bird to Thirimanne, FOUR, these two are looking really comfortable, this was overpitched outside the off stump and he merely pushes it through the line and beats mid-off

32.1

Siddle to Jayawardene, 1 run, swings in and it looked as if he got an inside edge to the pads, Siddle runs across the pitch to field it

32.2

Siddle to Thirimanne, no run, good length outside off and he defends back to the bowler

32.3

Siddle to Thirimanne, no run, good length on the off stump and he pushes it to mid-off

32.4

Siddle to Thirimanne, no run, angles away from him and he shoulders arms

32.5

Siddle to Thirimanne, 1 run, angles across the left-hander and he angles it to third man

32.6

Siddle to Jayawardene, no run, good length outside off and he defends back to the bowler

33.1

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, tossed up and he comes well forward and defends

33.2

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, tossed up and he comes well forward and defends

33.3

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, he stays back and defends

33.4

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run

33.5

Lyon to Thirimanne, 2 runs, edged! Tossed up and there's spin and bounce, he comes forward and the outside edge goes past first slip

33.6

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, tossed up and he defends to the off side

34.1

Johnson to Jayawardene, FOUR, edgy shot to bring up his fifty! Jayawardene comes forward and the outside edge just drops short of Hussey at second slip, funny old morning for Hussey

34.2

Johnson to Jayawardene, no run, bangs it in short and he ducks under the bouncer

34.3

Johnson to Jayawardene, no run, lands it outside off and he shoulders arms, slight away movement

34.4

Johnson to Jayawardene, no run, full and wide outside off and he drives straight to cover

34.5

Johnson to Jayawardene, 1 run, comes back in slightly and he closes the face of the bat and works it to the on side

34.6

Johnson to Thirimanne, no run, attempts a yorker but it's a low full toss which he drills it down to mid-on

35.1

Lyon to Jayawardene, no run

35.2

Lyon to Jayawardene, FOUR, uses his feet, Lyon flights it, he chips down the track, closes the face of the bat a bit and lofts him over deep midwicket

35.3

Lyon to Jayawardene, no run, comes well forward and defends

35.4

Lyon to Jayawardene, no run, spins back in quite sharply, he works it to the on side

35.5

Lyon to Jayawardene, no run, tossed up and he reaches forward and defends

35.6

Lyon to Jayawardene, no run, gets beside the line and forward and defends

Brydon tweets: "End of an amazingly long drought. Mahela Jayawardene's first Test 50 outside SL since Ahmedabad, Nov 2009. He made 275 that time."

36.1

Johnson to Thirimanne, no run, sprays that down the leg side, loses control of that one, Johnson not even 10% as threatening as he was at the MCG

36.2

Johnson to Thirimanne, 1 run, fullish and swinging in and he clips it away to midwicket

36.3

Johnson to Jayawardene, no run, much better delivery, short and he had to hop at the crease and defend, did well to keep the ball down

36.4

Johnson to Jayawardene, no run, just short of a length and angling across and he steers it to the off side

36.5

Johnson to Jayawardene, no run, moves across and he comes across and leaves it to the keeper

36.6

Johnson to Jayawardene, 3 runs, once again drifts on the pads and he works it easily wide of midwicket

Paul starts the Mitch-bashing: "Aaaaaand Mitch is back. Brilliance and dross, go hand in hand with this bloke. This is why he was dropped in the first place - inconsistency has no place at this level of cricket."

still a slip and short leg for Lyon

37.1

Lyon to Jayawardene, no run, tossed up and he comes forward and knocks it to the on side

37.2

Lyon to Jayawardene, no run, comes well forward and defends

37.3

Lyon to Jayawardene, no run, spins back in and he clips it wide of short leg

37.4

Lyon to Jayawardene, no run, chips down the track and drives back to the bowler

37.5

Lyon to Jayawardene, no run

37.6

Lyon to Jayawardene, 1 run, stays back and clips it with the turn to the on side

38.1

Johnson to Jayawardene, no run, sprays that full and wide and Warner does well to slide at backward point and cut that off

38.2

Johnson to Jayawardene, no run, angles it across the right-hander, he's not interested in chasing that

Two men in the deep for the hook

38.3

Johnson to Jayawardene, no run, Johnson switches to a fuller length and still Jayawardene offers no shot

38.4

Johnson to Jayawardene, no run, and expectedly bowls the bouncer, two men in the deep and the batsman ducks

38.5

Johnson to Jayawardene, no run, fullish in length outside the off stump and he goes well across and defends to the off side

38.6

Johnson to Jayawardene, no run, loss of concentration there, he wanted to leave the ball but ended up knocking it on the bounce to slip

39.1

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, comes forward a touch late and defends

39.2

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, gives it a lot of air and he comes forward and defends

39.3

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, flighted outside off and pushed to the covers

39.4

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, gives himself a bit of room to drive past cover but can't squeeze it past the fielder

39.5

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, tossed up and he comes forward and defends

39.6

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, goes for another cover drive and he misses it completely, Lyon teases him in flight

40.1

Johnson to Jayawardene, 1 run, short of a length and he tucks it down to midwicket

40.2

Johnson to Thirimanne, no run, more the Johnson we know, digs it in short and on the body, Thirimanne very awkwardly fended it off, took his eyes off the ball, could so easily have got a top edge

40.3

Johnson to Thirimanne, no run, short of a length and he pushes it to the off side

40.4

Johnson to Thirimanne, no run, comes forward and across and pushes it to the off side

Leg slip in place, plus a short leg. Comes round the wicket

40.5

Johnson to Thirimanne, no run, short of a length and angles across him, he steers it to the off side

40.6

Johnson to Thirimanne, no run, bangs it in short on the body and he ducks and the ball hits him flush on the shoulder

At least Johnson's trying something

41.1

Lyon to Jayawardene, FOUR, one bounce and four, brave on Lyon to continue to toss it up, chips down the track and carts him over midwicket, top shot

41.2

Lyon to Jayawardene, no run, stays back and clips it with the turn to the on side

41.3

Lyon to Jayawardene, SIX, shot of the day so far! Tossed up and he chips down the track and lofts him high and clean over the sightscreen, as straight as straight can get

41.4

Lyon to Jayawardene, no run, comes forward and works it to the on side

41.5

Lyon to Jayawardene, 1 run, gets across and clips it to the on side for a single

41.6

Lyon to Thirimanne, no run, tossed up and he gets well forward and defends

Starc replaces Johnson

42.1

Starc to Jayawardene, OUT, and the bowling change does the trick! Comes over the wicket, lands it outside off, Mahela goes forward and across to drive and gets a thick outside edge at waist height to Clarke at first slip, they check for the no-ball and Starc's heel was just behind the popping crease before he dragged it forward, legal delivery, Mahela has to walk

DPMD Jayawardene c Clarke b Starc 72 (154m 110b 12x4 1x6) SR: 65.45

Samaraweera walks in. Three slips and a gully

42.2

Starc to Samaraweera, no run, angles across him and he shoulders arms

42.3

Starc to Samaraweera, 1 run, pushes it towards cover to get off the mark

42.4

Starc to Thirimanne, FOUR, length delivery, neatly punched down the ground, there's no mid-on so Siddle has to chase from mid-off and he makes a mess of it on the slide near the rope, looks a bit sheepish

42.5

Starc to Thirimanne, no run, bangs it in short and he evades the bouncer

42.6

Starc to Thirimanne, 1 wide, hits the deck even harder and it's another bouncer, he is penalised for it

42.6

Starc to Thirimanne, no run, bowls it fuller and he clips it with the angle to the on side

43.1

Lyon to Samaraweera, no run, tossed up and he comes forward and defends

43.2

Lyon to Samaraweera, 2 runs, tossed up further and Samaraweera plays an airy drive wide of gully, should have been three

43.3

Lyon to Samaraweera, no run, stays behind the line and defends

43.4

Lyon to Samaraweera, no run, flatter delivery and he gets forward and defends

43.5

Lyon to Samaraweera, no run, gives it more air and he comes forward and defends

43.6

Lyon to Samaraweera, no run, comes forward and gets an inside edge to the pads

44.1

Starc to Thirimanne, FOUR, nicely driven! Starc bowls a friendly half volley outside off and he leans forward and across and drives wide of cover, he hit a few in the air through the off side earlier but was in full control of this one

44.2

Starc to Thirimanne, no run, good comebck by Starc as he bowls it short and Thirimanne manages to fend it off...just

44.3

Starc to Thirimanne, 2 runs, keeps it short and he punches it wide of backward point for a couple

44.4

Starc to Thirimanne, 1 run, gives him width and he steers it wide of point

44.5

Starc to Samaraweera, 2 runs, on the pads and he clicks it in the air over midwicket, didn't look in full control of the shot

44.6

Starc to Samaraweera, 4 runs, loose-cannon moment from Starc! Samaraweera drilled it back to the bowler and was on the walk, Starc gathered and flung it back...missed the target and the keeper Wade - four bonus runs

45.1

Bird to Thirimanne, FOUR, his driving through the off side is getting better and better! Full and wide outside off and he uses the pace on the ball to steer it wide of point

45.2

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, sort of a length and he leaves it alone to the keeper

45.3

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, fuller delivery and he pushes it towards the covers

45.4

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, drifts on the pads and he tucks it towards midwicket

45.5

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, good length on middle and he covers the line to defend

45.6

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, angles it across and he watchfully leaves it to the keeper

46.1

Starc to Samaraweera, no run, bit wide of the off stump and he reaches out and steers it to the off side

46.2

Starc to Samaraweera, no run, fuller delivery and he comes across and defends to the off side

46.3

Starc to Samaraweera, no run, little shorter in length and he gets across and defends

46.4

Starc to Samaraweera, no run, fuller and angling inwards and he defends back to the bowler

46.5

Starc to Samaraweera, 1 run, bowls it across and gives him width and he punches it wide of cover for a single

Short cover in place

46.6

Starc to Thirimanne, no run, keeps it short and the batsman has to negotiate some steep bounce, he reaches out and fends it off

47.1

Bird to Samaraweera, 1 run, starts off the over with a bouncer which Samaraweera swivels and pulls with control down to fine leg

47.2

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, angles across him and he stays back and defends

47.3

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, gets a nice shape across and Thirimanne watchfully lets it go

47.4

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, fullish and angling across and he comes forward and leaves it alone

47.5

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, fullish in length outside off and he drives him down to mid-off

47.6

Bird to Thirimanne, 2 runs, drifting on the pads and Thirimanne chipped this over midwicket, slightly checked his shot

Lucus: "As I watched the Aussies celebrate on the super-slo-mo camera, it made me think, why can't we put these cameras along the crease lines instead of always having no-balls and run-outs happen in the half-frames?"

48.1

Siddle to Samaraweera, no run, hits a good length outside off and he safely leaves it alone to the keeper

48.2

Siddle to Samaraweera, 1 run, just drifts on the pads and he clips him wide of midwicket, Siddle needs to keep it around the off stump

48.3

Siddle to Thirimanne, 3 runs, full and angling across and he does well to steer it through the gap at backward point, not enough to reach the rope

48.4

Siddle to Samaraweera, no run, gets some late swing and he comes behind the line and defends

48.5

Siddle to Samaraweera, no run, lands outside the off stump and he safely leaves it alone

48.6

Siddle to Samaraweera, no run, good length on the off stump and he gets across and defends down the track

49.1

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, good length outside the off stump and he leaves it alone

49.2

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, nearly gives it away! It was outside off and he went for the slash and missed, extra bounce on that one

49.3

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, angles across him and he shoulders arms

49.4

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, goes back at the crease and defends to the off side

49.5

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, angles it across and fuller and he leaves it alone, gets some away movement

49.6

Bird to Thirimanne, no run, goes back at the crease and defends down the track