Sri Lanka vs Australia, 2nd ODI at Hambantota, Aug 14 2011 - Ball by Ball Commentary

"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

38.2

Herath to Clarke, FOUR runs

Clarke cuts this in front of square for four, removes his helmet, hugs Ponting, and the duo then starts shaking the Sri Lankans' hands

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

38.1

Herath to Ponting, 1 run

pushed wide of midwicket for one

Scott Stanley: 'Rob Key!!" Indeed. Qavi: "Australian Tim May, 6 letters and we know he has played"

end of over 384 runs

AUS: 206/2CRR: 5.42 • RRR: 0.25

Ricky Ponting89 (105b 8x4 1x6)

Michael Clarke54 (66b 3x4 2x6)

Jeevan Mendis 3-0-12-0

Rangana Herath 8-0-52-0

37.6

Jeevan Mendis to Ponting, 3 runs

full and down the leg side, Ponting tries the paddle, seems to have made contact because it is not called wides

37.5

•

Jeevan Mendis to Ponting, no run

flighted generously, Ponting drives, but can't beat the straight extra cover

37.4

Jeevan Mendis to Clarke, 1 run

Clarke comes down the track, takes this on the full, and gets a single to long-off

37.3

•

Jeevan Mendis to Clarke, no run

tossed up around middle and leg, defended

37.2

•

Jeevan Mendis to Clarke, no run

chips down the track, pushes this to midwicket

Khaled M: "Umar Gul.....for an Asian player..shortest indeed"

37.1

•

Jeevan Mendis to Clarke, no run

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

end of over 374 runs

AUS: 202/2CRR: 5.45 • RRR: 0.53

Ricky Ponting86 (103b 8x4 1x6)

Michael Clarke53 (62b 3x4 2x6)

Rangana Herath 8-0-52-0

Nuwan Kulasekara 7-1-38-1

36.6

•

Herath to Ponting, no run

tossed up, driven back to the bowler

36.5

Herath to Ponting, 2 runs

fine paddle-sweep from Ponting, comes back for two

36.4

Herath to Clarke, 1 run

even at this stage, Malinga makes a diving save at backward-point to deny Australia three runs

36.3

•

Herath to Clarke, no run

another defensive shot towards midwicket

36.2

•

Herath to Clarke, no run

full, on the pads, pushed to midwicket

36.1

Herath to Ponting, 1 run

cut in front of square for one

Ankit has found this on Cricinfo. Just Lee. But let's keep the discussion to international players

end of over 3610 runs

AUS: 198/2CRR: 5.50 • RRR: 0.78

Michael Clarke52 (59b 3x4 2x6)

Ricky Ponting83 (100b 8x4 1x6)

Nuwan Kulasekara 7-1-38-1

Rangana Herath 7-0-48-0

35.6

•

Kulasekara to Clarke, no run

digs this yorker out

35.5

Kulasekara to Ponting, 1 run

full toss outside off, driven square for a single

35.4

Kulasekara to Clarke, 1 run

full, outside off, squeezed square, J Mendis makes a diving save at point

35.3

Kulasekara to Clarke, FOUR runs

short ball, Clarke feasts on it even though he has committed to the front foot. He pulls this from outside off, over midwicket

35.2

•

Kulasekara to Clarke, no run

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

35.1

Kulasekara to Clarke, FOUR runs

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

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