Clarke cuts this in front of square for four, removes his helmet, hugs Ponting, and the duo then starts shaking the Sri Lankans' hands
Sri Lanka vs Australia, 2nd ODI at Hambantota, Aug 14 2011 - Ball by Ball Commentary
That's all we have for you tonight. Thanks for keeping us company on a Sunday. Do join us for the rest of the series. Okay bye
Presentation time
"Just got to start winning the toss!" says Michael Clarke. "The bowlers did a great job, great start by Watto, and obviously a fantastic innings from Ricky. The bowlers are executing their plans really well. Full credit to them. They have got great plans, and hopefully they keep executing."
"It was nice to have spent in the middle again. the game was set up by our bowlers, who kept taking the wickets," says the MoM Ricky Ponting. "Thankfully we haven't had bigger totals to chase, thanks to our bowlers and fielders. I am getting a few runs, so not being captain must be working all right. Michael Clarke is doing a fine job, and I am getting used to sit in a corner and being told what to do."
"Not a great day for us," says TM Dilshan. "We didn't get enough runs. This wicket was a 250 pitch. We have to work things out as a batting unit. Ponting and Clarke batted really well. We have to work really hard a s batsmen."
Fifth ODI win in a row for Australia, and how convincing this has been. Set up by the bowlers on a flat wicket. They were disciplined, bowled to a plan, and never let the pressure off. And it was must fun to watch Ponting back in form. Playing with certainty and freedom. I would still give the Man of the Match to one of the bowlers, though. Hang in for the presentations
Tony Dimov: "I feel sorry for those Sri Lankan players with shorter names.. it must feel terribly shameful. If I had a shorter name I would simply throw on about 20 more letters in jubilant, haphazard fashion." Yeah Roy Dias sounds almost boring, Tony
pushed wide of midwicket for one
Scott Stanley: 'Rob Key!!" Indeed. Qavi: "Australian Tim May, 6 letters and we know he has played"
full and down the leg side, Ponting tries the paddle, seems to have made contact because it is not called wides
flighted generously, Ponting drives, but can't beat the straight extra cover
Clarke comes down the track, takes this on the full, and gets a single to long-off
tossed up around middle and leg, defended
chips down the track, pushes this to midwicket
Khaled M: "Umar Gul.....for an Asian player..shortest indeed"
short to start off, punched to extra cover
Greg says, "If Ben Cox ever plays for England, he's only six letters" J Mendis comes back
tossed up, driven back to the bowler
fine paddle-sweep from Ponting, comes back for two
even at this stage, Malinga makes a diving save at backward-point to deny Australia three runs
another defensive shot towards midwicket
full, on the pads, pushed to midwicket
cut in front of square for one
Ankit has found this on Cricinfo. Just Lee. But let's keep the discussion to international players
digs this yorker out
full toss outside off, driven square for a single
full, outside off, squeezed square, J Mendis makes a diving save at point
short ball, Clarke feasts on it even though he has committed to the front foot. He pulls this from outside off, over midwicket
yorker outside off, digs it out
Bilal M has come up with Ed Joyce for the shortest name. Seven letters. Same as Ian Bell, although I suspect Ed is short for his original name, which might be longer
Shot! Clarke dances down the track, and crashes this inside-out, between mid-off and extra cover, all along the ground
Vincent: "@Karn: That is all very fine but can he say Talebulamainavaleniveivakabulaimainakulalakebalau backwards?" I can't say it forwards even. Kuley comes back