RAIN DELAYS MATCH BETWEEN SRI LANKA AND AUSTRALIA - ICC WORLD CUP 2011

Rain delays match between Sri Lanka and Australia - ICC World Cup 2011

The Group A match of the ICC World Cup 2011 between Sri Lanka and Australia, being played at the R Premadasa Stadium has been delayed due to rain. The hosts had managed to score 146 runs for the loss of three wickets in 32.5 overs.

Showers were expected during this match, which meant that the Duckworth-Lewis (D/L) system could come into play. However, the match started with clear skies, and it seemed that rain would stay away from the first half of the match.

Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and elected to bat first, considering the good nature of the wicket. The wicket didn’t have too much assistance for the bowlers in it, but the spinners could get some turn as the game progresses.

Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan came out to open the innings for Sri Lanka, but they failed to get going. The first wicket to fall in the day was that of flamboyant Sri Lankan opener Tillakaratne Dilshan, who was sent back to the pavilion after adding just four runs to the total.

Dilshan’s opening partner also failed to make an impression, as his struggling innings of six runs from 18 balls came to an end, courtesy a brilliant catch from the point fielder, Steve Smith.

Mahela Jayawardene and Sangakkara then tried to steady the ship for their team, but Jayawardene lost his wicket, trying to sneak a quick single. The veteran player was looking good in the middle, but he threw his wicket away after scoring 23 off 25 balls.

Thilan Samaraweera joined his captain at the crease, and the pair took their team’s total close to 150 before the match was stopped due to rain. Sangakkara was well set on 73 runs from 102 balls, and he will be eying a big century. On the other hand, Samaraweera was also looking confident, batting on 34 from 48 balls.

The Australian bowlers have done a good job so far in the match, and they will be looking forward to bowling well in the death overs. The pace duo of Australia started the match nicely for their team, taking one wicket each in their opening spells. Although the spinners didn’t get any wickets, they didn’t allow the batsmen to score runs freely.

Tagged in: Australia, Shaun Tait, Brett Lee, Cameron White, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka, Tillekaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Steve Smith, Kangaroos, icc world cup 2011, Thilan Samaraweera,R Premadasa stadium