Ryan Harris with the new ball

007 replies to Meety: ".. or been selected, taken lots of wickets and settled in London - and going out with an ex model and looking pretty !"

All set for the start with the Sri Lanka openers coming out. Australia are already out there. Shaun Marsh is getting a feel of the new Test ball

James: "Will be interesting to see how Copeland and Lyon back up from their first test heroics. Also with the pitch report, movement till lunch, could potentially be a good toss to loss for Pup, if Harris can get it swinging early on, could cause some havoc."

chris: "If the Marsh's are the second father/son combination to have represented Australia, who was the first?" Here, indulge yourself.

Meety: "The leggie Prassanna, he has an average of about 20, & a S/Rate of about 37. Where's he been hiding, he's 26! If he was born in Oz, he'd of played his first test about 4 years ago, been dropped, & then be languishing in club cricket somewhere! Or just not selected at all (read like O'Keefe)!"

ikmal: "i personally am disappointed that shaminda eranga is not playing, the way he got clarke and ponting out in the odis shows he has pontential, he has raw pace along with movement." Agree, probably they wanted the left-arm angle that Welegedara provides

Simon: "Copeland - wicket 2nd ball on debut, Lyon - wicket 1st ball on debut, surely that means Marsh will have to score a century on debut in his first innings."

9.40 am Ranil Abeynaike doing the pitch report says that the surface is well-rolled, few cracks as it is drying, rolled grass, brown in colour. He thinks that there will be some movement till lunch, good carry and should become easier for batsmen after that.

Pallekele is a pretty new ground, and the only Test played here against West Indies last year saw more rain than play

Kaspar: "'Much better' pitch? In the eyes of whom? The Sri Lankan spinners, the Australian pacemen, or the international TV broadcasters?" Let's just say match referee Broad for the moment

9.30 am Sri Lanka win the toss and will have a bat

Rangana Herath has an injured finger and Seekkugge Prasanna makes his debut, Tillakaratne Dilshan informs us. That is a huge blow for Sri Lanka. Still no Ajantha Mendis, Dilshan says he has a sore back. Prasanna gets his Test cap from Sanath Jayasuriya

Michael Clarke: "We would have wanted to have a bat as well, wicket looks fantastic. Little bit emotional moment when Shaun got his Test cap. Nice for Geoff to come all the way for that. All the boys were excited." Nice moment when Geoff Marsh presented his son with the baggy green, only the second father-son duo to play Tests for Australia. Geoff to Shaun: "I know you know what this (baggy green) means. Get stuck in there mate."

While we wait for the toss, do check out our mobile apps so that you can stay in touch with what's happening even if you are on the move.

9.20 am Welcome to our coverage of the second Test between Sri Lanka and Australia in Pallekele. Have a look at Brydon Coverdale's preview while we wait for the toss.

The pitch in Galle was under the spotlight during the first Test, and ultimately got a 'poor' rating from match referee Chris Broad. Rob Steen wonders why pitches that do too much are considered poorer than sleeping surfaces that do nothing at all. Give me a game that finishes on the fourth day on a turner or a green top compared to one that could go on for ten days. However, the pitch at Pallekele is supposed to be much 'better' than the Galle one. We'll find out exactly how it plays soon enough

0.1

Harris to Paranavitana, no run, good carry alright off the first ball, pitching on a length and going outside off across the left-hander who lets it be

0.2

Harris to Paranavitana, no run, gets it to shape in from a length but it curves down leg

0.3

Harris to Paranavitana, no run, outside edge, falls short of a diving second slip as Para pushes forward a touch late to one moving across him

0.4

Harris to Paranavitana, no run, down the leg side with the inward shape again

0.5

Harris to Paranavitana, no run, and another one goes down the pads as Harris gets the line wrong, good bounce though

0.6

Harris to Paranavitana, no run, gets it better this time, but a touch too far outside off to make Para have another push, left alone

Copeland to Dilshan

1.1

Copeland to Dilshan, no run, he gets the outside edge right away as he finds some bounce from a length, it straightens and Dilshan feels at it from the crease, falls short of second slip

1.2

Copeland to Dilshan, 1 run, this one comes in, was conspiring to sneak through the gap between bat and pad, dilshan brought down an angled bat a touch outside the line, inside edge goes backward of square leg

1.3

Copeland to Paranavitana, no run, he will be there all the time, around middle and off from a length, defended on the leg side

It's gone overcast

1.4

Copeland to Paranavitana, no run, moves away from around leg stump, he plays late and pushes towards mid off

1.5

Copeland to Paranavitana, no run, fine leave, very fine leave, pitching off and leaving him, takes a step forward, has a look and lets it go past

1.6

Copeland to Paranavitana, no run, similar ball, just a touch shorter, he gets right forward and pushes to mid off

2.1

Harris to Dilshan, no run, that has got to be close, lovely delivery from Harris, coming in sharply after pitching outside off, strikes him high on the pad, and flies to Haddin, Australia appeal, that was quite high though

2.2

Harris to Dilshan, 1 leg bye, trickles fine down leg off the pads as Harris overcooks the angle

2.3

Harris to Paranavitana, no run, played towards midwicket

2.4

Harris to Paranavitana, OUT, that is gone though, Harris has struck, Para getting forward to drive a pitched up delivery around middle and off, it was going across him and he gets a feather on it through to Haddin, Para is normally pretty cautious outside that off stump, this was an uncharacteristically loose shot

NT Paranavitana c †Haddin b Harris 0 (9m 12b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

Kumar walks in early

2.5

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, left alone outside off

2.6

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, nippy delivery that comes back in to Sanga who falls over as he looks to work it away, takes it on the pads

3.1

Copeland to Dilshan, 1 run, comes in from a length but Dilshan is playing it from the crease and works it on the leg side

3.2

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, going on Sanga's pads this time, he tries to tuck it away but does not time it

3.3

Copeland to Sangakkara, 1 run, well done, eases forward to one on middle and leg and pushes it softly past midwicket

3.4

Copeland to Dilshan, no run, tempting Dilshan to drive with a fuller one on off, he resists, and pushes towards extra cover

3.5

Copeland to Dilshan, 2 runs, uncertain against the one coming in from outside off, does not get forward, has a push from the crease, inside edge goes through square leg

3.6

Copeland to Dilshan, no run, better from Dilshan, right forward to a length ball close to off and pushes it towards covers

4.1

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, 135.3 kph from Harris as he pushes it across Sanga who has a look and leaves it as it bounces outside off

4.2

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, has him pushing forward and across to one bowled fuller with the angle, gets it off the inside half of the bat back to Harris

4.3

Harris to Sangakkara, FOUR, outside edge, there have been a few of them already but Sanga manages to keep it down and a touch wide of third slip, he was opened up to one that bounced from back of a length

4.4

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, shuffles across and pushes with a straight bat towards short leg

4.5

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, fine stuff, Harris has found his rhythm now, the line is right, the length has been superb throughout, Sanga has no choice but to tightly defend one pitched fuller on off

4.6

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, even better, beats Sanga with one that takes off from just back of a length, close enough to off to make him have a push at it

Clarke getting some help from the physio after copping the ball on the left wrist as he dived in the slips for that outside edge off Para earlier

5.1

Copeland to Dilshan, no run, Copeland ending on off stump, all is well with the world, Dilshan gets back to defend

5.2

Copeland to Dilshan, no run, this one comes back in a long way from outside off, but Dilshan is confident it will miss off, shoulders arms, he is right as well

5.3

Copeland to Dilshan, no run, gets him to finally have a go at one pitched up widish outside off, straight to cover

5.4

Copeland to Dilshan, OUT, Dilshan is gone, he thought this one would miss off as well as it curled in sharply, he was wrong this time, just as he shouldered arms, it curved in devilishly to strike top of off, Copeland roars, he has pegged away outside that off stump persistently, and ultimately, found a way through

TM Dilshan b Copeland 4 (22m 12b 0x4 0x6) SR: 33.33

Daniel Brettig, our man in Pallekele, feels that the time is right for Copeland to strike against batsmen sceptical of his skills. Have a read

5.5

Copeland to DPMD Jayawardene, 1 run, Mahela off the mark right away with a soft push in front of extra cover

5.6

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, defended down the track off the back foot

6.1

Harris to DPMD Jayawardene, no run, Harris overdoes the angle eagerly and sends this one screaming down leg

6.2

Harris to DPMD Jayawardene, 2 runs, gets it off the inside part of the bat towards midwicket, who has a shy at the stumps, wonder which ones, as he is miles to the left of the non-striker;s stumps, would have been tight had he hit with Mahela struggling to make his ground, in the end he manages another run as the man backing up has too much to do with the wayward throw

6.3

Harris to DPMD Jayawardene, no run, this is super stuff, Harris has Mahela prodding late outside off to one that snakes away after coming in with the angle, beaten all the way

6.4

Harris to DPMD Jayawardene, no run, wiser from Mahela, lets one go outside off, safer too, as it was kicking up high as well

6.5

Harris to DPMD Jayawardene, no run, lovely, plain awesome stuff from HArris, he beats Mahela again on the forward push, tight lines outside off, hold your breath

6.6

Harris to DPMD Jayawardene, 1 run, just past the man at short leg as Mahela tickles one off the pads

Thisara: "It's sort of funny that Dilshan actually wasn't playing a shot in his dismissal this time... he will go back to his 'hit-every-ball' policy again..."

7.1

Copeland to DPMD Jayawardene, no run, length ball close to off, he goes back in the crease and defends

7.2

Copeland to DPMD Jayawardene, no run, Copeland finds movement this time, away from Mahela, draws him forward and leaves him poking inside the line

7.3

Copeland to DPMD Jayawardene, OUT, Sri Lanka slip further, Mahela Jayawardene departs to an insane take from Michael Hussey, it was pitched up, lured Mahela in to the drive, wonder if he would have done the same against Harris, did not get fully to the pitch, and ended up getting a thick edge that was headed for the third man boundary, but Hussey decided to stick his left hand in the path with a leap to his left, the ball stuck, the Australians mobbed him, and Mahela walked of

DPMD Jayawardene c Hussey b Copeland 4 (10m 10b 0x4 0x6) SR: 40.00

anjan: "Ask me and I think Dilshan is trying to prove himself too much. He is anticipating too much and that is bringing his downfall. I won't be too surprised if I find critics are not happy with his captaincy this test. He is not relaxing, Dilshan is."

7.4

Copeland to Samaraweera, no run, they are not sure which way it will head after pitching, this one just goes straight on with the angle, Thilan defends uncertainly

7.5

Copeland to Samaraweera, no run, he shows he can bounce 'em too, sharp short ball that has Thilan getting the head out of the way

7.6

Copeland to Samaraweera, no run, reverts to norm, length ball, outside off, Thilan leaves early this time

Bakes: "This technique of bowling at the top of off stump seems to be working quite well, who would have thought?!!" No one, it's working to his advantage

8.1

Harris to Sangakkara, 1 leg bye, worked off the pads to long leg

8.2

Harris to Samaraweera, no run, sharp delivery zipping in to Thilan who defends hurriedly down the track

8.3

Harris to Samaraweera, FOUR, that will help get some confidence going, Thilan gets forward to a length ball and meets it with a firm solid straight bat, and the ball gathers steam past mid on

8.4

Harris to Samaraweera, no run, curls away from the right hander, a touch far outside off, left alone

8.5

Harris to Samaraweera, 1 run, have to play at this one, it is headed right for middle and off from a fuller length, Thilan crouches low and pushes towards extra cover

smudgeon: "Who wants to join me in a hearty "Bravo!" for niggling military medium?"

8.6

Harris to Sangakkara, 2 runs, shuffles across, gets behind the line of a back of a length ball and tucks it past short leg

9.1

Copeland to Samaraweera, no run, gets forward and across to try and counter those stingy ones outside off, but this one hurries back in sharply, bounces as well, he gets it past short leg off the splice

9.2

Copeland to Samaraweera, no run, pushed on the off side off the front foot

9.3

Copeland to Samaraweera, no run, shot! too full from copeland and Thilan leans in to the perfect extra cover drive, straight to the man there

9.4

Copeland to Samaraweera, 2 runs, bowls it wider now, he seems to draw the batsmen out to these ones as well, Thilan reaches across and pushes it through cover

9.5

Copeland to Samaraweera, no run, now he bowls it close to off with the angle, thickish outside edge as Thilan pushes towards point

9.6

Copeland to Samaraweera, no run, the one that shapes back in, a long way, Thilan gets across and outside off, that wasn't far away from the stumps

10.1

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, holding its line a foot outside off, Sanga watches it very closely, and lets it go

10.2

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, angles it across the left-hander outside off, left alone

10.3

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, holds its line again outside off, Sanga gets across and shoulders arms

10.4

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, another leave outside off, Sanga watching the ball very closely

10.5

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, sprays it a touch wider outside off and he will not go after it

10.6

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, gets forward and pushes towards point

Our man Dan Brettig has dug up some interesting numbers: "Day one lunch scores in last two Aust v SL Tests in Kandy: Aust 61-7 in 1999, Aust 61-4 2004."

11.1

Copeland to Samaraweera, no run, Copeland continues to trouble them outside that off stump, this one holds its line even as Thilan decides to have a forward push at it, beaten

11.2

Copeland to Samaraweera, no run, so next delivery, he tries to get further across to try and counter the away movement, it comes in a shade instead and he hurriedly jabs it away

11.3

Copeland to Samaraweera, no run, bounce for Copeland, Thilan leaves outside off

11.4

Copeland to Samaraweera, 1 run, tucked in front of square leg off the pads

11.5

Copeland to Sangakkara, FOUR, Copeland provides rare width outside off, Sanga instantly latches on and hammers it past point

11.6

Copeland to Sangakkara, 2 runs, ends up on the pads this time, Sanga clips him past short leg

Pete: "Imagine if we had Andrew McDonald in the attack as well. The Mark Ealham dibbly dobblers club must be rejoicing."

12.1

Watson to Samaraweera, no run, leading edge towards mid off as he gets it to holds its line fullish around middle

12.2

Watson to Samaraweera, no run, off the face of the bat towards gully from a length

12.3

Watson to Samaraweera, 2 runs, pushes forward, gets it off the middle and picks up a couple through covers

12.4

Watson to Samaraweera, no run, pitched up, close to off, Thilan gets forward for the drive, closes the face a touch and Watto fields

12.5

Watson to Samaraweera, no run, tries the short ball, digs it in and the carry in this pitch takes it way over a ducking Thilan

12.6

Watson to Samaraweera, no run, shaping away from back of a length on off, he gets behind the line to block on the off side

13.1

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, very close to that off stump, what's new, Sanga shows good judgment as he lets it go

13.2

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, gets across to block one ending on off

13.3

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, again moves across to defend down the track

Corey: "You can't tell me that this is not what test cricket is all about. Bowling tight lines until the batsman makes a mistake. Keep going Copeland, brilliant stuff."

13.4

Copeland to Sangakkara, 2 runs, tries the short ball, it does not have much venom and Sanga cracks the pull in front of square, and how is that for effort in the deep, Harris runs hard and slides, but that would not have been enough, so he hooks the ball in with the right leg, awesome

13.5

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, pushed down the track

13.6

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, left alone outside off

Australia taking the first hour all the way, Sri Lanka have to play catch up for a while

Mitch in to the attack

14.1

Johnson to Samaraweera, 1 no ball, oversteps first ball as he bends it across the right hander from back of a length, left alone

14.1

Johnson to Samaraweera, no run, looks to get forward and push on the off side, it comes in a tad after pitching around middle, ball rolls towards midwicket

14.2

Johnson to Samaraweera, no run, carrying on with the angle, touch far outside off, left alone

14.3

Johnson to Samaraweera, no run, bowls it fuller with the angle, Thilan is uncertainly forward and pushing it towards mid on

14.4

Johnson to Samaraweera, no run, straighter and tighter on off stump, he shuffles and pushes back to Mitch

14.5

Johnson to Samaraweera, 1 run, gets one away now, fuller ball squeezed in to the gap at covers

smudgeon: "Plenty of kids try to bowl like Brett Lee, hardly any try to bowl like McGrath. As we have seen, it can be more effective..."

14.6

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, solidly forward to block one bowled fullish around off

15.1

Watson to Samaraweera, no run, 127.9 kph steady delivery from Watson outside off, he pushes forward, opens the face and gets it towards cover

15.2

Watson to Samaraweera, no run, gets it on the stumps this time, he goes across to push towards midwicket

15.3

Watson to Samaraweera, no run, giving nothing to work with, played out to midwicket

15.4

Watson to Samaraweera, no run, squeezes a full delivery past Watson to mid off

Luke: "...and no one tried to bowl like Mitch."

15.5

Watson to Samaraweera, no run, some lift from back of a length, Thilan gets on top nicely to punch to short extra cover

15.6

Watson to Samaraweera, no run, gets forward and eases one towards mid off

Shaun: "@smudgeon-It's not about bowling like McGrath, with accuracy he had the advantage of his height and mind you he was not any dibby dobby, he used to bowl in the range of 130-140k."

16.1

Johnson to Sangakkara, 1 run, coming in with the angle and holding its line, Sanga gets beside it to crack it past covers

Alex: "@smudgeon, imagine how good Australia would be if kids tried bowling like Warne."

16.2

Johnson to Samaraweera, no run, 143 kph bouncer from Mitch, Thilan does the wise thing, he ducks

16.3

Johnson to Samaraweera, 2 runs, nudged off the pads from the crease past the square leg umpire

16.4

Johnson to Samaraweera, no run, solidly forward and pushing one going across to mid off, this pitch is playing very true at the moment, ball coming on nicely, Sri Lanka will rue those early wickets

16.5

Johnson to Samaraweera, no run, pushed on the off side

16.6

Johnson to Samaraweera, no run, tight line on off stump, Mitch has looked alright so far today, defended bat and pad close together

17.1

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, gets forward and defends a length ball around off towards mid off

Mark: "@Alex - the kids did try to bowl like Warne, but on the synthetic pitches, that most juniors are forced to play on, it meant they got smacked around the park and were put off bowling spin."

17.2

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, pushed off the back foot down the track

17.3

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, well bowled, shaping away a shade from around middle, Sanga stays back and drops it on the off side

17.4

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, too close for the cut, so Sanga glides it towards backward point

17.5

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, shaping away just a tad from around middle and leg, Sanga tucks it towards midwicket

17.6

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, digs out a full delivery towards short extra cover

whoeveryouwantmetobe: "@everyone - how about they try to bowl like themselves and see what happens?"

18.1

Johnson to Samaraweera, no run, shuffles and tries to nudge one going down the leg side, cannot connect

18.2

Johnson to Samaraweera, no run, moves forward and drives a fullish one solidly to mid off

18.3

Johnson to Samaraweera, no run, shuffles across and clips one from off to midwicket, early call of 'No'

18.4

Johnson to Samaraweera, no run, digs in the short one, lots of shoulder and it zooms over a ducking Thilan, it gives Haddin some grief as it continues to rise, he leaps and takes it with one hand

18.5

Johnson to Samaraweera, no run, behind the line of a length ball and defends back to the bowler

18.6

Johnson to Samaraweera, 2 runs, nicely done, shuffles and tucks one off the pads in front of square leg

19.1

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, moving away from the left hander, but starting outside leg and is tucked towards midwicket

19.2

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, that is an example of how this pitch is easing out, Sanga gets forward and thumps the drive to one going across him, on the bounce to short extra cover

19.3

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, good carry for Watto, Sanga leaves with a shoulder of the arms

hyclass: "A great pitch for Marsh to debut on. SL can still make a big score with this pair at the wicket and the batting to come. Interesting to see how Lyons fitness holds up"

19.4

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, punched off the back foot to short extra cover

19.5

Watson to Sangakkara, 2 runs, too straight, coming in from outside leg, clipped through square leg

ash: "Bowling like Watson doesnt seem like a bad idea... never thought id say that."

19.6

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, gets the line right now, shaping away with the angle a foot outside off, left alone

20.1

Johnson to Samaraweera, 1 run, tucked to long leg off the pads

20.2

Johnson to Sangakkara, 1 run, the short ball is coming on nicely off the pitch, Sanga shuffles, gets a touch outside the line and pulls it behind square leg

20.3

Johnson to Samaraweera, 1 run, neatly done, thilan is looking around for the singles, he finds one in front of mid on with a tuck against the angle

20.4

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, well bowled, coming in fullish on the stumps at 141.6 kph, he gets bat down in time to keep it out on the leg side

Phat Boy: "As much as the Aussies have - and deservedly in many respects - copped it over the last 12 months, how many times in Test history has a team gone around with five front-line bowlers (counting Watson) averaging under 30 as they do right now?"

20.5

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, pushed off the back foot on the off side

20.6

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, shuffles across and tightly defends a back of a length ball on the leg side

Michael: "Nice to see Watson bowling first-change. Hopefully Clarke will use him a bit more than Ponting did. He's shown he can be quite effective and is a much improved bowler from the Watson of a few years ago."

Harris is back

21.1

Harris to Samaraweera, no run, and straight away, he beats Thilan who pushes forward away from the body to one holding its line outside off

21.2

Harris to Samaraweera, no run, just a touch back of a length and rising outside off, he spots it early and shoulders arms

stuart: "@alex - those synthetic mats on top of concrete pitches are hellish for leggies. I once yorked a batsman from a regular stance and watched in horror as the ball jumped over the stumps. Bounce like that isn't very friendly and reduces your margins on length a lot and you inevitably bowl lots of long hops."

21.3

Harris to Samaraweera, no run, comes forward and across to a 134.4 kph delivery pitched up, closes the face as he drives it back down the track

21.4

Harris to Samaraweera, no run, finds some bounce from a length, Thilan is already forward and across, arrests the momentum to get an inside edge on the leg side

Jack Bauer: "Always mouth watering watching a competition between two batsman with averages over 50 vs two bowlers with averages under 30. Delicious."

21.5

Harris to Samaraweera, no run, Thilan picks the short one early and goes down under it

21.6

Harris to Samaraweera, no run, Harris falls in his followthrough as he hurls in a full one on the stumps at 136.1 kph, Thilan is behind it to push to mid on

Jason: "To Michael, I agree that Watson was under bowled under Ponting, I think that was done to minimise overuse. Going back he did have a long history of breaking down!!"

22.1

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, pitched up around off, Sanga gets the front foot out and pings short extra cover with a solid push

22.2

Johnson to Sangakkara, FOUR, fullish on the pads with the angle, Sanga flicks wristily through square leg, too much work for the man running across from long leg, cannot get there

22.3

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, there is not as much zip now, but the ball is coming on nicely, Sanga pushes from beside the line towards cover

22.4

Johnson to Sangakkara, FOUR, lovely drive, overpitched, he goes down on a knee, and smashes it with a big followthrough past a diving extra cover, no stopping that

22.5

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, moves the line full on middle and off, Sanga eases it back to Mitch

22.6

Johnson to Sangakkara, 1 run, dropped, wonder how much this drop will hurt them, Watson has put down a straightforward chance at first slip, Mitch getting Sanga to push from the crease at a length ball close to off stump, the edge went straight in to Watto's hands to his left, and straight through them

23.1

Harris to Sangakkara, 1 run, pushed away towards cover

23.2

Harris to Samaraweera, OUT, Harris has struck again, superb delivery, coming in sharply from a length outside off, Thilan pushing outside the line, and getting an inside edge through to Haddin, big break for Australia, this partnership had started to grow

TT Samaraweera c †Haddin b Harris 17 (67m 55b 1x4 0x6) SR: 30.90

Matt: "I'm loving the variety in this attack - everyone offers something different. Such a contrast to the pedestrian and one-dimensional bowling in Melbourne and Sydney."

23.3

Harris to HAPW Jayawardene, no run, PJ gets forward to push one with the angle, short leg is in the way though and he has to hurry back

23.4

Harris to HAPW Jayawardene, no run, sharp bounce for Harris, he is giving it everything as always, PJ leaves just outside off

23.5

Harris to HAPW Jayawardene, 1 leg bye, tucked off the pads to long leg, but there was no bat on that it seems, and PJ waits for his first run in the series

23.6

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, good leave, zipping across not far from off, but he shoulders arms right away

sujan: "After scoring 95 in the last innings Mathews still bats at No 7. I really don't understand the logic behind it."

24.1

Johnson to HAPW Jayawardene, no run, bat and pad close together as he goes forward to block a fullish one on off

24.2

Johnson to HAPW Jayawardene, 2 runs, off the mark this series with a flick off the pads off a back of a length ball

24.3

Johnson to HAPW Jayawardene, FOUR, again rising on the pads, PJ shuffles across and nudges to the right of long leg who cannot get there in time

24.4

Johnson to HAPW Jayawardene, no run, the line is right on this one finally from Mitch, outside off and he gets a shoulder of the arms

24.5

Johnson to HAPW Jayawardene, no run, touch closer to off with the angle, brings about another leave from PJ

24.6

Johnson to HAPW Jayawardene, no run, holds the bat inside the line as this one takes off outside off from short of a length

25.1

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, going across Sanga from outside leg at 137 kph, he pushes solidly to mid off

25.2

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, bit of an inside edge as he gets across to push at a short of a length ball, which goes towards mid on

25.3

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, similar to the one that got Para, lures Sanga in to the drive from a fuller length, does not take the edge this time though

25.4

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, gets bat on this one bowled still fuller as he goes forward and pushes to mid off

25.5

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, played towards midwicket off the front foot

hyclass: "Watsons lapse-a dropped catch at the 1hr 45 minute mark, also matches when he loses concentration batting..."

25.6

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, left alone outside off stump, the pace has not dropped from Harris all through the morning

Nathan Lyon will have a tweak before lunch, Sanga is not on strike, he goes round the stumps to PJ

26.1

Lyon to HAPW Jayawardene, no run, tossed up too full outside off, pushed to mid off

26.2

Lyon to HAPW Jayawardene, SIX, takes him on with the slog sweep, fetches it from outside off and swings it with the angle, over the deep midwicket boundary

26.3

Lyon to HAPW Jayawardene, no run, pushed down the track off the front foot

26.4

Lyon to HAPW Jayawardene, 2 runs, drives against the turn this time, a touch wider and flighted outside off, he eases it past point

26.5

Lyon to HAPW Jayawardene, FOUR, the best of the them, down the track, to the pitch and drives past the man at mid off, against the turn

26.6

Lyon to HAPW Jayawardene, OUT, dear me, what has he done, he has gifted his wicket away, down on the knee for another slog sweep, but he does not get hold of it and deep square leg settles under it, Lyon has earned his wicket though, after being smacked for a six and a four he has bowled it just a shade wider and on a length outside off, PJ had to reach out for it and got the top edge

HAPW Jayawardene c Harris b Lyon 18 (16m 15b 2x4 1x6) SR: 120.00

27.1

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, gets forward and pushes to mid off

27.2

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, plays from the crease and squeezes a back of a length ball towards cover

27.3

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, fine shot, on the front foot and pings cover with a well-timed drive

27.4

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, and a fine leave now, holding its line not far from off, but Sanga shows excellent judgment again

27.5

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, bites and takes off from a length, but Sanga had already shouldered arms

Errol: "First over wicket again, but tell me is this a T20? and isn't it close to lunch?"

27.6

Harris to Sangakkara, no run, another well-judged leave outside off to end the first session

This is a worse start for Sri Lanka than even Galle, they went in to lunch on the second day at 54 for 3 in the first Test, they have lost two more in Pallekele, but this pitch has played much better than that one, and they have only themselves to blame

Australia have been at Sri Lanka all morning, and they have run through half the side, Ryan Harris and Trent Copeland leading the way. Sri Lanka could have been six down if Watson had taken a simple chance at first slip.

Isaac: "Batsmen need to learn to respect the game of test cricket. The last wicket typifies the fact that the beauty and skill of the game in highest form has been lost on many a modern day batsman."

Ryan: "seems bizzare to criticize when opposition 76-5 but Johnson's continued average form in the longer format should mean the smoother and more reliable Mitchell (Starc) will over take him if Bollinger doesnt, big fan Mitch but clocks ticking and Argus is watching."

007: "To all who love SL cricket : Seems our cricket is going back to the early days of our test cricket .. where Sir Hadlee cleaned us up in Kandy. We can have patience with youngsters.. but not with our tried and tested top 6. They do not seem to know where the off stump is - or when the lunch break is. ALL games agains AUS (except for 1 ODI) SL were 5 or 6 down in 25 overs, in HOME CONDITIONS!"

Simon: "Is Lyon getting a Swann air about him, as he takes a wicket in his first over regularly..?" Let's hold the horses for a while, mate

James: "Not to brag or anything, but my pre-match comments about Harris causing some havoc on this pitch has seemingly come to fruition. Great first session by the Aussies! Loved the fact that PJ was going after Lyon, but he was still willing to throw the ball up and got the wicket that he was working for. Great stuff."

28.1

Johnson to Mathews, no run, short of a length, pushed to cover

28.2

Johnson to Mathews, no run, short ball climbing outside off, he gets out of its way

28.3

Johnson to Mathews, no run, pushed down the track off the back foot

28.4

Johnson to Mathews, no run, floated across the right hander full outside off, he lets it go past

28.5

Johnson to Mathews, no run, shuffles and gets on top of a shortish one to push it towards mid on

28.6

Johnson to Mathews, 2 runs, neatly done, too straight from Mitch and he opens up to tuck it through midwicket

29.1

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, Copeland starts off with a gentle delivery, but it is inches from off stump, Sanga continues to leave superbly

29.2

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, gets forward to a pitched up ball and drives hard to short extra cover

29.3

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, stays in the crease to one ending around off to push to short extra cover

29.4

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, slanted across the left-hander who leaves outside off

29.5

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, blocked down the track off the front foot as it tails across from around leg

Tim is worried: "With no Ponting in the side, who will bowl his 2 overs of spin now!?"

29.6

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, solidly forward in defence to smother a rather harmless looking length ball around off stump

30.1

Johnson to Mathews, 2 runs, Mitch goes back of a length on the pads and is whipped through square leg easily

30.2

Johnson to Mathews, no run, rises from short of a length, outside off with the angle, he goes on his toes and keeps it down

30.3

Johnson to Mathews, no run, goes much fuller now, around that off stump, Angelo crouches low and keeps it out

30.4

Johnson to Mathews, no run, goes after a full and wide one outside off, does not get any bat on it, good for him, the slips were waiting

30.5

Johnson to Mathews, no run, gets across this time and pushes back to the bowler off the front foot

Benny: "This pitch has a little bounce to it, considering MJ bowls a bouncer like no other, he should test them out with some hostile stuff.."

30.6

Johnson to Mathews, no run, he persists with the widish stuff outside off, Angelo continues to throw his bat at 'em and miss

31.1

Copeland to Sangakkara, 3 runs, too straight on Sanga's pads, he shuffles and tucks it in front of square leg

31.2

Copeland to Mathews, no run, just as Copeland is about to deliver, non-striker drops his bat, Copeland bowls it as usual around off and gets a defensive block out of Angelo and then looks smilingly at Sanga

31.3

Copeland to Mathews, no run, another one on that nagging line and length, Angelo gets right forward and defends

31.4

Copeland to Mathews, no run, bowled fuller close to off stump, more forward blocking

31.5

Copeland to Mathews, FOUR, shot! Mathews eases forward and opens the face to get a full and wide one past extra cover and beats him to the boundary

31.6

Copeland to Mathews, no run, bouncing outside off now, that could have been tight but only if he had payed at it

justin: "Every ball Copeland bowls seems harmless by itself, but if you add them all together it gets some sort of power and people get out!"

32.1

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, slings it in fullish one middle and off, Sanga shuffles across and pushes to mid on

Strong breeze blowing across the ground

32.2

Johnson to Sangakkara, FOUR, too much on the pads, and Sanga accepts the gift, clips it elegantly in front of square leg

32.3

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, struck on the pads and Australia go up in appeal, it tailed in a tad from outside off, not given by umpire Kettleborough, rightly too, replays show a big inside edge

32.4

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, pushed towards cover off the front foot

32.5

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, relatively slower and fuller one from Mitch at 131.8 kph, Sanga checks the drive to extra cover

32.6

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, the pace goes back up, to 141.5 kph, and Sanga comes forward to block a straight length ball on off

Simon: "@Justin - that is so true about Copeland. Johnson has an almost opposite effect - each ball is deadly on its own, yet when you look at an innings worth he's deemed "scattergun"."

33.1

Copeland to Mathews, no run, blocked on the leg side off the front foot as it comes in with the angle

33.2

Copeland to Mathews, no run, lurking outside off stump on a fullish length at 121.6 kph, pushes forward to extra cover

33.3

Copeland to Mathews, no run, goes full with the angle around off, he crouches low to work it on the leg side

33.4

Copeland to Mathews, no run, tries to lure him forward with one floated up outside off, it then comes back in too, Angelo leaves

33.5

Copeland to Mathews, no run, much fuller, pushed softly towards extra cover off the front foot

33.6

Copeland to Mathews, no run, curves in from well outside off, he lets it go again

34.1

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, Sanga pushes forward with certainty and the length ball rolls away on the off side

34.2

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, gets front foot out again, and eases a pitched up ball back to Mitch

34.3

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, straightish one around middle and leg, Sanga shuffles across but cannot work it past midwicket

34.4

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, drops a climbing length ball in front of point and trots out of the crease, has to get back though as the fielder gets to the ball

34.5

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, gets on top of a rising back of a length ball and cuts it straight to cover

Sen hasn't forgotten: "@Simon: That ball that Johnson bowled to Trott in Brisbane last year that would have missed a 10th stump was deadly for who?"

34.6

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, bouncer now but he digs it in too short and Sanga ducks under it easily

Sudhir: "@Simon and Justin - On the other hand Ryan Harris has both the effects. Every delivery of his looks dangerous and when you put it all together he has taken a bunch of wickets."

35.1

Copeland to Mathews, no run, bowled straight on a length a foot outside off, he is happy to leave

35.2

Copeland to Mathews, no run, goes on the stumps with a full length, eased down to mid on

35.3

Copeland to Mathews, no run, released fullish outside off, pushed off the front foot

35.4

Copeland to Mathews, no run, lets another one go outside off, Copeland finding some bounces on this one

There is a man at short mid on right next to Sanga

35.5

Copeland to Mathews, no run, pushed to that man at short mid on

35.6

Copeland to Mathews, no run, goes very full close to off, Mathews pushes without much timing to mid off

Tim: "@Sen - it was deadly to second and third slip!"

36.1

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, that wasn't far from being played on, not much width to launch in to the cut, Sanga tries to, under edge bounces past the stumps to Haddin

36.2

Johnson to Sangakkara, no run, goes full with the angle on middle and off, pushed with a straight bat to mid on

36.3

Johnson to Sangakkara, FOUR, this one provides him width and Sanga latches on instantly, bends the knee, opens the face, and cover cannot stop it with a dive

36.4

Johnson to Sangakkara, 1 run, and then he goes on to leg with the angle, Sanga easily tucks it through square leg, there are two men in the deep around that region now

36.5

Johnson to Mathews, no run, good line to the right hander, leaving him from a length outside off, defended from the crease

36.6

Johnson to Mathews, no run, goes back and across to defend a pacy length ball on the off side

37.1

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, not much pace from Copeland on this full one outside off, Sanga has to make his own and ends up mistiming the drive to cover

bowling from round the stumps

37.2

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, fullish one slanted in around off, pushed off the front foot

37.3

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, defended off the front foot to short extra cover

37.4

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, going on with the angle on leg stump, tucked straight to midwicket

37.5

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, more with the angle on the pads, Sanga works it away, but there is a man at square leg now as well

37.6

Copeland to Sangakkara, no run, 123.6 kph full delivery from copeland, there for the drive, but Sanga cannot get hold of it and it rolls to mid off

Lyon is back

Karanarama: "A stat for those with Mitch angst: he's become the leading 4th innings wicket-taker of all active bowlers - passing Harbhajan and inactive legends like Marshall and Donald."

38.1

Lyon to Mathews, no run, full ball from round the stumps eased to midwicket

38.2

Lyon to Mathews, no run, floats it up slowly outside off,gets him to drive against the turn to mid off

38.3

Lyon to Mathews, no run, touch flatter, defended off the front foot

38.4

Lyon to Mathews, FOUR, that is a brave shot with five men down, Mathews down the track to one floated wide outside off, and drives against the spin between extra cover and mid off

38.5

Lyon to Mathews, no run, turns in and bounces from outside off, he goes back to block

38.6

Lyon to Mathews, no run, uncertain whether to get forward or not, ultimately he is able to defend a quicker one

Watto comes on now to a lone slip from round the stumps

39.1

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, coming in with the angle from a length, defended down the track

39.2

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, holding its line after coming in from wide of the crease, he gets behind the line to defend

Simo: "Moments like these you appreciate the value of a Mcgrath - Warne / Murali - Vass combo, Aussies now lack that variety and against a better team would be punished."

39.3

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, stays beside the line and pushes a length ball on the off side

A very short mid off in place, it is Clarke himself, half way up beside the track

39.4

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, pushed off the front foot on the off side

39.5

Watson to Sangakkara, FOUR, well done, gets on top of one rising from back of a length, just a bit of width, and he plays late, rolls his wrists over it and glides it past backward point

39.6

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, pushed away on the off side solidly

40.1

Lyon to Mathews, no run, eases well forward to a tossed up ball and pushes to midwicket

40.2

Lyon to Mathews, no run, sharply turns in from outside off, he goes right back to defend

40.3

Lyon to Mathews, no run, plays with the turn off the front foot past short leg

40.4

Lyon to Mathews, no run, he is looking as if he wants to have a go, but opts to block off the front foot

40.5

Lyon to Mathews, no run, fullish one patted back to Lyon

40.6

Lyon to Mathews, 3 runs, there he goes, this was coming, charges out, but is not near the pitch of the ball, tries to loft it against the turn over mid on, but gets it just over mid off in the end, pulled back inside the rope

Nath: "@Simo How does Australia's attack lack variation? Copeland hits a line and length, Harris bowls right arm menacing balls, Mitch sprays them everywhere, Lyon is a tweaker and Watto bowls pretty decent medium fast. Which two of them are alike, or all 5 given that they lack variation?"

41.1

Watson to Mathews, 2 runs, on the pads from a length, tucked backward of square leg

41.2

Watson to Mathews, no run, shapes in from a length but from middle and he works it with the angle to square leg

41.3

Watson to Mathews, 1 run, too much on the pads again, but there is a short midwicket and a square leg, he works it between them and gets across for a tight run

41.4

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, solidly forward and smothers a length ball that was holding its line a shade outside off from round the stumps

41.5

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, goes on leg stump with a full delivery, Sanga would have wanted to clip it past the man at midwicket, couldn't

john: "any attack which contains Johnson automatically has a lot of variation."

41.6

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, gets bat in front of pad to push one from middle and off to mid on

42.1

Lyon to Mathews, no run, turning in on off from a length, he can go back and nudge to short leg

42.2

Lyon to Mathews, no run, gets back for the forcing cut but this wasn;t short enough, got quickly on to him as well

42.3

Lyon to Mathews, 1 run, down the track and eases a fullish one to mid on for a quick run

42.4

Lyon to Sangakkara, no run, tossed up ball eased down to deepish mid off

42.5

Lyon to Sangakkara, no run, turn from middle, Sanga gets forward a long way to smother it

42.6

Lyon to Sangakkara, no run, turn and bounce, there is no silly point and Sanga pushes in the air in that region

Ryan: "@Nath- what value is variety without menace? I could go bowl left arm chinamen for some variety but it wont get me wickets, Australia's bowlers bar Harris lack consistent movement, and the ability to build pressure against top sides(copeland is too slow end of story) that's what holds them back."

43.1

Watson to Mathews, no run, shaping in a shade from a length outside off, rises a bit and he defends off the high part of the blade

43.2

Watson to Mathews, no run, chance for a run out, but Hughes could not pick up the ball in time after his diving stop to catch Mathews short as he had advanced way down the track after tucking to midwicket

43.3

Watson to Mathews, no run, pushed down the track

43.4

Watson to Mathews, no run, just a bit of inward movement from a length, he is solid in defence

43.5

Watson to Mathews, no run, much fuller length, he gets forward and across and drives to mid off

43.6

Watson to Mathews, no run, coming in from a length at 133.6 kph, nippy enough to hit the bat hard as he goes back to defend

Richard: "Another big improvement for Australia is the over rate. Ponting didnt seem at all interested in fixing the problem but Clarke must have the team working hard between overs."

44.1

Lyon to Sangakkara, no run, defends a tossed up ball off the front foot

44.2

Lyon to Sangakkara, no run, bounce from a length, pushed to extra cover off the back foot

44.3

Lyon to Sangakkara, 1 run, reaches out and slaps a full one to sweeper cover

44.4

Lyon to Mathews, no run, quicker and fuller around off, pushed off the front foot

44.5

Lyon to Mathews, 2 runs, bounces as it turns on the pads, nudged just wide of short leg

44.6

Lyon to Mathews, no run, silly point cops a blow, Mathews went down on the knee for the big drive and found the fielder in the way, saved some runs in the end

45.1

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, Sanga continues to serenely ease forward and defend tightly on the off side

45.2

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, more careful defending off the front foot, that drop could yet cost Australia

45.3

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, goes wide of the crease and bowls it fullish with the angle, Sanga blocks without fuss

45.4

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, blocked off the front foot towards cover

45.5

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, front foot gets out and Sanga defends another length ball towards cover

Luke: "Mitch is copping a hard time today! He needs a big wicket or two to get his confidence back."

45.6

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, gets forward and checks the push down the track

46.1

Lyon to Mathews, no run, comes down the pitch and blocks back to the bowler

46.2

Lyon to Mathews, no run, this one turned in and kicked a bit from a length, he took a hand off the bat as he kept it down in front of short leg

46.3

Lyon to Mathews, no run, pushed off the front foot

46.4

Lyon to Mathews, no run, he is finding bounce every now and then, Mathews played inside the line as he pressed forward, the ball rolled away towards slip

46.5

Lyon to Mathews, no run, nudged to the right of short leg carefully

46.6

Lyon to Mathews, no run, tight testing over from Lyon, tossed up ball smothered down the track

Ilan: "Whats Clarke waiting for..bring on Harris!!"

47.1

Watson to Sangakkara, 1 leg bye, trickles fine down the leg side off the pads

47.2

Watson to Mathews, FOUR, short ball but Mathews is in control with the pull, getting it over the man at square leg

47.3

Watson to Mathews, no run, first signs of reverse for WAtto, full one tailing in late, and almost sneaking through, Mathews manages to get legs out of the way and dig it out, just about

47.4

Watson to Mathews, 1 bye, more movement, this one carries on down the leg side though

47.5

Watson to Sangakkara, 2 runs, goes full in to the pads with the angle, Sanga flicks in front of square leg, a bit off the inner part of the bat

47.6

Watson to Sangakkara, no run, drops it back of a length, Sanga guides it to backward point off the back foot

Karkel: "How can Sri Lanka's management justify batting P Jayawardene ahead of Angelo. He is clearly the future."

48.1

Lyon to Mathews, no run, plays a length ball from the crease, pushes towards mid off

48.2

Lyon to Mathews, no run, down the track, and nudges a fullish one to short leg

48.3

Lyon to Mathews, no run, turning in but from a shortish length, he is able to get back and turn it to short leg

48.4

Lyon to Mathews, no run, pushed off the front foot down the track

48.5

Lyon to Mathews, SIX, that is a fine shot from MAthews, down the track and lofts him hard with the turn over deep midwicket, just carries over the rope

48.6

Lyon to Mathews, no run, defended off the front foot

Mike Hussey coming on now

49.1

Hussey to Sangakkara, no run, starts off with a very wide one outside off, left alone

49.2

Hussey to Sangakkara, no run, coming in from outside leg a shade, he pushes it towards mid on

49.3

Hussey to Sangakkara, OUT, Sanga has given it away, he has pushed Hussey straight to short extra cover, gentle full ball floated up on off, Sanga lured in to a fatal push, not defensive enough and not aggressive enough, and he trudges off a disappointed man, bearing the look of one who knows he has got it wrong in gifting Hussey only his third wicket in 61 Tests

KC Sangakkara c Hughes b Hussey 48 (192m 121b 7x4 0x6) SR: 39.66

49.4

Hussey to Randiv, 1 bye, sprays it way down the leg side from a length, Haddin cannot collect it, too far away from him

49.5

Hussey to Mathews, no run, blocks a fullish delivery on the leg side

49.6

Hussey to Mathews, no run, gets forward and pushes a full and widish one towards point