Sri Lanka vs Australia Warne-Muralitharan Trophy, 2025, Full Score Card

OUT! CAUGHT! It was just a matter of time and Matthew Kuhnemann gets his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket, impressive from him. Tosses this one up nicely and on a slightly fuller length on off. The ball dips and turns away as Jeffrey Vandersay looks to just reach for it and hit it away. The ball ends up getting sliced in the ait and towards the cover region where Mitchell Starc takes a simple catch and Sri Lanka are bowled out for just 165 runs. Australia have a first innings lead of 489 runs and we might see the Aussies impose their first follow-on in Asia since 2002.

FOUR! That's one way to get off the mark! Dropped well short and wide, asking to be hit, Jeffrey Vandersay rocks back and slaps the ball away through cover-point for a boundary.

Full and angled across off, Asitha Fernando looks to block but squeezes it off the toe end past the first slip.

Asitha Fernando is the last batter to walk in for Sri Lanka.

OUT! CAUGHT! Snared at short leg! Nathan Lyon stays around the wicket and tosses it up on a dragged length around middle. Nishan Peiris leans on to block but ends up getting and inside edge onto the pads and the ball lobs up to the right of short leg where Josh Inglis takes a sharp catch, his first in Test cricket and Australia are just one wicket away from bundling Sri Lanka out.

FOUR! Nicely played! Fractionally short and outside off, Nishan Peiris rocks back and cuts it late and the ball goes quickly past Beau Webster at second slip and into the deep third fence.

Nice and full again, on middle, Nishan Peiris makes another block.

Fuller delivery, darted in on middle and leg, blocked off.

Close but not close enough! Good length on off, Nishan Peiris leaves it on length and expects it to turn but it goes straight on and just goes over the top of off.

On a dragged length and around off, turning away, Vandersay presses back and pushes it down through the silly point region and looks for one but is sent back.

Marginally short and angling into the pads, Nishan Peiris works it away past square leg for a single.

On a length and around off, Nishan Peiris blocks it off.

Just short! Tossed up, on a fuller length and on middle, Nishan Peiris looks to block but gets an inside edge that goes down to the short leg that is dead square of the stumps.

Over the wicket to the left-hander, good energy into this delivery but just angles it down leg.

Nishan Peiris walks in at number 10 for Sri Lanka.

OUT! STUMPED! Matthew Kuhnemann gets his fourth and Sri Lanka going down in a hurry now. Flighted up from around the stumps, immaculate length around off and gets the ball to dip as well. Prabath Jayasuriya comes down the pitch but fails to get to the pitch of the ball and it turns past him as well. Alex Carey whips off the bails and Jayasuriya is nowhere to be seen.

Back to over the wicket, bowled short and turning it into middle and leg, Vandersay plays it out to mid on. Back-to-back wicket-maidens for Australia.

Flighted delivery around off, Vandersay nicely blocks it off.

Drops it a bit short and angles it across the right-hander, Vandersay hangs back and cuts it past first slip.

Tossed up, full and on middle and leg, Jeffrey Vandersay watchfully keeps it out.

Jeffrey Vandersay walks in at number 9 for Sri Lanka.

OUT! LBW! Appeal and given! Looked pretty adjacent but Dinesh Chandimal will review as he has to. Nathan Lyon tosses this one up fuller and on middle, getting the ball to turn into the right-hander but Chandimal goes for the reverse sweep and misses and gets hit on the pads, right in front of the stumps. The third umpire is called in but there's nothing on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking comes up with three reds. Sri Lanka's resilience has ended in a space of two overs as Chandimal now departs for 72(139) and they are in deep trouble.

Flatter one, on a length and turning into middle and leg, Chandimal rocks right back and nudges it down to short leg.

On a good length and attacking off and middle, Jayasuriya tentatively blocks it off. A wicket-maiden for Matthew Kuhnemann.

Quite full now and angled into middle and leg, Jayasuriya manages to make another block.

Keeps it nice and full, brings the line closer to the stumps and Jayasuriya blocks it off.

And again! Tossed up outside off, Jayasuriya plays well inside the line of this one.

BEATEN! Tossed up, a bit quick and full around off, turning away sharply, Prabath Jayasuriya leans on to block but is beaten past the outside edge.

Prabath Jayasuriya walks in at number 8 for Sri Lanka.

OUT! TAKEN! Matthew Kuhnemann strikes and that is a poor choice of shot from Kusal Mendis as well. Tossed up around off, a bit flatter as well and turning away. Mendis sits down and looks to slog sweep against the turn but gets it more of the top edge and in front of square as well. Todd Murphy at deepish square leg runs to his left and reverse-cups it nicely before tumbling over. Mendis departs for 21(40) and Sri Lanka are now 156/6.

A dot to end but this has been a comfortable start to Day 4 for the Lankan batters. On a length and angled across, Chandimal cuts it away to backward point.

Nicely flighted on the stumps again, Kusal Mendis leans on and drives it through mid on for yet another single.

Tossed up full on leg, Chandimal skips down the track and pushes it down to long on for a single.

Nice and slow, on a nagging length around middle and leg, Mendis goes back in his crease and works it around the corner for one more.

Nice and full, at the stumps, Chandimal brings out the reverse sweep and gets it behind point for a single.

Lyon comes around the wicket now and bowls it on a good length around the pads. Chandimal tucks it away to backward square leg.

Nicely flighted around off, Chandimal leans on and eases it with the turn through covers for one.

Drags the length back and bowls it around off, Chandimal presses back and nudges it down to point.

Tossed up on off, Chandimal reaches for it and drives it to mid off as one hand comes off the handle.

Tossed up around off, swept away along the ground and through square leg for a single now.

FOUR! Kusal Mendis throws caution to the wind and gets away with it. Flatter delivery outside off, Mendis sits down and swats the sweep shot flat and well in front of square for a boundary. The 150 is now up for Sri Lanka.

Full, on middle and leg, Chandimal looks to block but gets an inside edge that goes through backward square leg for a single.

Oh, that's a fine delivery! Gives it a bit more air and flights it outside off, Kusal Mendis is drawn forward to block but the ball dips on him and beats the outside edge. Alex Carey whips off the bails and the umpire has gone upstairs to have a look at the stumping. The replays show that Mendis had his back leg inside the crease all the time.

Tossed up around off, quite full and a bit quicker too, Mendis nudges it across to mid-wicket.

A bit too short over middle, Chandimal stays back and works it with the turn behind square leg for a single.

Flatter again and outside off, darting it in, Chandimal gets across to sweep again but misses and gets pinged on the front pad.

Tossed up, on a dragged length and outside off, Chandimal shimmies down the track and pads it away into the off side.

Outside the line of the stumps! Flattens the trajectory and bowls it outside off, Chandimal gets a big stride across to sweep but misses and wears it on the pads.

Darted in at the pads now, tucked away neatly to square leg for an easy single.

Nicely flighted delivery, on off and turning away, Chandimal is drawn into the drive and miscues it away wide of mid off.

Too full and on middle and leg, Chandimal leans on and jams it down to mid on.

Matthew Kuhnemann gives this one a real rip and bowls it on middle and leg, gets sharp turn across the right-hander. Chandimal is squared up a bit but blocks it off.

Drifted in, a bit short and on leg, turning it across, Chandimal deals with the extra bounce well and dabs it down past short leg.

Lovely length on off, looking to turn away, Chandimal leans on and firmly blocks it off.

On the shorter side again and turning in, Mendis backs away and pushes it down into the off side.

Bowled well short and outside off, turning in, Mendis rocks back and punches it against the turn through covers for a couple of runs.

Nicely tossed up, a bit full and around off, Kusal Mendis keeps it out.

A bit of cat and mouse going on at the moment. Chandimal sets up for the reverse sweep but Lyon bowls it slow and short and turns it in, Chandimal adjusts and just angles it behind point for one more.

Oh, that is a stinging blow for Travis Head! Dropped well short over middle, Mendis rocks back and pulls it straight into the knee and deflects down to fine leg for another single.

Risky shot from Chandimal! Tossed up on a length and angling in from around off, Chandimal gets across to sweep it fine but gets a top edge down to fine leg for a single.

Nathan Lyon to operate from the other end.

Tosses this one up, on the fourth stump line and extracts a bit of turn, Mendis shoulders arms at it.

Nicely flighted, in and around off, Kusal Mendis is drawn a bit forward and blocks it off.

Nice and full, attacking the stumps, Mendis watchfully keeps it out.

Good running! On the shorter side and on off, Chandimal pushes it off the back foot in front of covers and scampers through for a single.

Pushed through fuller and attacking the stumps, Dinesh Chandimal lunges to defend.

A bit of turn and bounce to begin with! Dragged length around off and turning further away, Kusal Mendis plays it off the back foot and wide of point for a run.

Out come the umpires and the players with the sun shining in all its glory at the moment. Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis will resume their stay at the crease. Matthew Kuhnemann will start the proceedings this morning with the ball. Away we go!

PITCH REPORT - Russel Arnold says that it feels very hot but will cool down and hopefully, the rain stays away. Adds that the pitch will start to crumble and reckons the bowlers need to make it count by giving the ball more air.

Nathan Lyon is down for a quick chat. He expects the pitch to deteriorate further and offer a bit more assistance than the previous days with the sun shining bright. Adds that the spinners have bowled really well so far and lauds the efforts and talent of both Matthew Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy and says they have shown time and again why they are such good bowlers. Mentions that Dinesh Chandimal is a class player and makes the bowler think a lot but hopes to create a few chances early on to get rid of him. Says Travis Head could get a chance to bowl but they as a team will try hard to push for a result.

Australia, on the other hand, have been clinical, with their spinners leading the way. However, Nathan Lyon will be eager to make a bigger impact after struggling to hit his mark so far. With two full days left and a massive cushion of runs, the visitors will likely come out attacking, looking to wrap things up quickly. The weather forecast for the day isn’t too promising, but we hope the skies stay clear to allow the match to move toward a proper conclusion. Play is set to start early, with the first two sessions extended by 15 minutes each, along with an extra 30-minute extension at the end, if weather and light permit, to make up for lost time. Stay tuned to see how it all unfolds!

Losing two entire sessions to rain on a crucial Day 3 has actually worked in Sri Lanka’s favour, helping them push the game towards a potential draw. While they’ve been on the back foot throughout, the first session of Day 3 was the only phase where they showed real fight and resistance, before rain washed out the remainder of the day. Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis will resume their innings as the last recognized batting pair, with Chandimal well set and leading the charge in an attempt to mount a fightback.

Hello and welcome back to Day 4 of the first Test in the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy 2025, where Australia remain in complete control, while Sri Lanka face an uphill battle, still trailing by 518 runs with half their side already back in the pavilion.

... DAY 4, SESSION 1 ...

Rain has given Sri Lanka another lease of life. The combination of rain and Sri Lanka has been a great one in the past for the Islanders and this enforced break comes as a good one for them. They might not be able to repair the damage with the ball, but what they can do now is force Australia into frustration, by making the visitors earn their wickets. Still, a lot of time is left in this match and hopefully, we get more cricket on Day 4, that's Saturday, 1st February, 2025. The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 4.15 am GMT but our buildup will begin well in advance. So do tune in early. In the meanwhile, you can catch all the updates and scores from the Women's Ashes, the fourth T20I between India and England and the third T20I between West Indies Women and Bangladesh Women. All you need to do is click on the respective matchcentres. Enjoy. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Australia and Steven Smith, in particular, have not been too keen of late, to enforce the followon as they are not of the opinion that bowlers should be given so many overs to bowl in succession. Also, given that this is just the first Test of a 2-match series, irrespective of when Sri Lanka get bowled out, if that happens, don't think the Kangaroos will enforce the followon. And then, to serve as a latest example, all the captain needs to look at is the second Test between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town, where, Pakistan, after being enforced the followon, trailing by 421 runs, amassed 478 in their second innings, batting out 122 overs.

So just 27 overs were possible on Day 3, which saw Sri Lanka gift two wickets to Australia. The pitch was just beginning to have its cracks explode but because of the rain, that may not happen too much on Saturday either. Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva allowed the Aussies to get into their middle order and actually, they are just a wicket away from entering the tail. The deficit is a massive 518 runs but whether the followon will be enforced or not will depend entirely on how long do the Aussies take to pick up the remaining 5 wickets.

UPDATE - 10.08 am GMT - STUMPS ON DAY 3! Ironic as it might seem, the conditions have gotten bright and sunny! But because of the downpour, so much water has accumulated on the covers that the groundstaff don't think it is possible to shed all that amount of water and resume play on Friday. Hence, a logical decision has been arrived at pretty early, rather than waiting optimistically and just delaying the inevitable.

UPDATE - 9.51 am GMT - What started as a drizzle has now intensified into a proper downpour in Galle. This is not a promising sign, and for now, all we can do is wait for the weather to ease so play can resume. Stick around for further updates!

Well, we were about to write welcome back, but unfortunatey, the message got sent to a wrong address. The dark clouds are back and so is the rain and along come the covers once again. A fresh band of dark clouds have enveloped the ground and as per Roshan Abeysinghe, the wet band is here to stay for a while. We shall stay hopeful of the game resuming at some point. Today.

... DAY 3, FINAL SESSION ...

Meanwhile, in Melbourne, the final session of Day 2 of the 4-day Ashes Test has just kicked off into action. England Women have finally managed to dislodge Annabel Sutherland for a fantastic 163 but Australia continue to go merrily, at 325/4, having extended their lead to 155. Beth Mooney has crossed her half century and one reckons that if England Women have to make a comeback in this Test, it has to be this session. Because if they don't, with 30-odd overs left in the day, Australia will take their lead close to 250 and from thereon, a draw could be the only realistic positive possibility from an English point of view. Of course, being 0-12 down, even a draw is worth a win, but if there is a simmer of a chance for a victory, why shrug it off.

A washed out session is never good news for cricket but in this case, neither team will mind it. Because Sri Lanka are so far behind the game and have minimal chances of winning, they will take the other positive option, i.e., a draw which could increase a great deal due to the weather. Australia too, would be happy that they didn't have to bowl much in the heat today, as they have bowled only 25 overs. However, the forecast for the next 2 days is pretty good and the Kangaroos will be keen to push on for a victory, though for that, they will aim to wrap up this Lankan innings tonight itself.

UPDATE - 8.50 am GMT - As we wait for an update on the resumption, the umpires are out in the middle inspecting the outfield. We finally have a restart time! An early TEA has been taken, and play is set to resume at 9.20 am GMT. The third session will continue until 12.21 pm GMT, with an additional 30 minutes available for extension, provided the weather and light hold up.

UPDATE - 8.29 am GMT - Great news! The sun is finally peeking through, and the conditions are looking much brighter. The covers are coming off, the stumps are up and we should have a resumption time announced shortly.

UPDATE - 7.58 am GMT - Positive signs from Galle! The weather has cleared up nicely, and the rain has now reduced to just a slight drizzle. With the skies looking much brighter, the ground staff are on the move, beginning the cleanup process. They’ve started removing the tyres from the covers and are working on clearing the waterlogged sheets. It might take some time to get the entire field ready, but a resumption doesn’t seem too far away now. Stick around for more updates.

UPDATE - 7.51 am GMT - The weather remains unfavourable, and the rain has intensified, making it increasingly likely that we’re in for a long delay. Frustration grows, but for now, all we can do is wait. Stay tuned for further updates as we monitor the situation in Galle.

News from Afghanistan - SHAPOOR ZADRAN has decided to call it quits from international cricket. The left-arm seamer made his debut in 2009 and last featured in a bilateral T20I series against Ireland in 2020. Naming Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar as his idol, Shapoor was always at the batters, swinging the ball both ways with speed. He was at his best at the 2015 ODI World Cup, where he took 10 wickets at an average of 26.5, which included the dismissals of Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahmudullah, Kane Williamson, David Warner, and even Steven Smith! His best moment though, was against Scotland in the same tournament, where he helped Afghanistan win their first match in an ODI World Cup, first taking a 4-fer with the ball, then making a crucial unbeaten 12 to take his side through.

UPDATE - 7.27 am GMT - Not much has changed in Galle since our last update. The covers remain firmly in place, and the conditions are still dark and gloomy, making for a frustrating wait. Weather was always going to be a factor in this match, and it continues to play its part. Stay tuned for further updates as we keep a close eye on the situation.

Meanwhile, records are tumbling down at the MCG. ANNABEL SUTHERLAND has become the first female cricketer to score a century in a Test inning at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. How fitting it should be, that a Victorian becomes the first centurion in Women's Tests at the scenic MCG. It is a packed house and the Sutherland family's joy knows no bounds in the stands. This is also Sutherland's third century in Test cricket, joining Jill Kennare and Betty Wilson as the only Women to score three centuries in Test cricket for Australia. Sutherland averages close to 88 in Test cricket, having scored 3 centuries in 9 innings. That's a century every 3 innings! And the kid is not even aged 24! Talking about the match, Australia Women have now reached 220/3, leading England exactly by 50 on Day 2 of this 4-day Test. All of sudden, the wheels have started to come loose for England with catches being dropped right, left and centre in the last half hour or so. 49 overs are still left in the day, so they need to step up in that department.

UPDATE - 7 AM GMT - Not great news from Galle. The entire ground has been covered and the groundstaff seems to be in no hurry to try and remove the covers. The weather as such has cleared up but there is a slight drizzle. Oh dear, scrap that. The drizzle has gotten heavier now. We can continue playing in a drizzle but cannot start when it's drizzling. Additionally, there is still some water on the covers. This might take a while now. The good thing is, thanks to the efficient groundstaff, the moment the drizzle / rain stops, the action could resume soon enough. Please stay tuned.

... DAY 3, SESSION 2 ...

Talking about updates, let's take a peek at what's happening in Melbourne. Aussie skipper Alyssa Healy has just been dismissed LBW to Sophie Ecclestone for 34, making it her 6th successive dismissal to spin in Tests. The rut was started by Ecclestone herself, in the 2023 Ashes and since then, Healy, whenever dismissed, has fallen to a spinner only. England Women have slowed things down nicely, and even though the Aussies are ahead by runs, having reached 184/3 in response to England's 170, run scoring has been reduced to a trifle. Annabel Sutherland remains the key, batting on 82. 55 overs are left in the day and a whole session under the floodlights.

For Australia, the spinners have bowled well, relentlessly probing for breakthroughs, but Nathan Lyon will be disappointed with his wayward lines and will be eager to make a bigger impact when he returns. With half of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup back in the pavilion and a massive cushion of runs, Australia will likely go on the attack, aiming to break this crucial partnership and expose the tail. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, face a monumental challenge and must focus on batting session by session, rather than worrying about the scoreboard, if they are to chip away at the deficit. The second session is scheduled to begin at 6.55 am GMT, but that hinges on the weather conditions. Stay with us, and we’ll keep you posted with all the latest updates from Galle!

Through it all, Dinesh Chandimal has stood tall, scoring fluently and weathering the early challenges to bring up a well-deserved half-century. Now, the responsibility rests heavily on his shoulders as he looks to stage a fightback alongside Kusal Mendis, who has looked solid in his short stay so far. With both batters boasting the experience needed to dig Sri Lanka out of this deep hole, the hosts will be hoping this partnership can take them to safer ground.

Chandimal then found support in Dhananjaya de Silva, and together they stitched a resilient 40-run stand, one that looked promising for Sri Lanka with minimal risks taken. Just when it seemed like they were steadying the ship, disaster struck soon after the Drinks break. Dhananjaya de Silva, in an aggressive but ill-timed move, charged down the track to Todd Murphy and was stumped, undoing all the hard work.

Starting their overnight stay, Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis showed positive intent for Sri Lanka, but it was short-lived. The hosts lost two wickets in the session, both of which could only be described as gifts neatly wrapped for the Aussies. After the start, Mendis fell in an unfortunate fashion, strangled down the leg side by Mitchell Starc.

The first session of Day 3 comes to an early close due to rain, but Sri Lanka will take plenty of heart from their performance - arguably their best session of the match so far. Scoring 92 runs in 27 overs while losing just two wickets, they showed much-needed resilience and fight. Though it wasn’t the most fluent display, it was certainly a stepping stone in their attempt to turn things around. With a long way still to go, Sri Lanka will hope to build on this momentum and keep Australia at bay when play resumes.

Drizzle in the air. From absolutely nowhere. It was bright and sunny just a while back, but then, this is Sri Lanka. You never know what weather to expect. Play goes on for now. Around 15 minutes left for Lunch. Well, the drizzle has turned into a shower and the groundstaff comes running in with the covers. And with that, EARLY LUNCH HAS BEEN TAKEN ON DAY 3. Sri Lanka are 136/5 and trail Australia by 518 runs.

Full, outside off, going on with the arm, Chandimal charges towards the line but decides to make a leave.

Pitching short and turning in while keeping a tad low, around off, Dinesh Chandimal turns it across to mid-wicket.

Tossed up, outside off, Kusal Mendis sweeps it to deep square leg for one.

Floated outside off, 85 kph, Mendis lunges to defend and gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. The ball lobs in the air but does not carry to Lyon. Silly point in place now.

Outside off, a touch slower, Kusal Mendis stays back and pushes it towards cover.

Full, around off, Dinesh Chandimal gets a long way across and sweeps it towards fine leg for a single. The deficit is now 519.

Drops it just short and on off, Kusal Mendis goes back in the crease and nudges it to the off side.

Comes from around the wicket and lands it full, outside off, Mendis pushes it to backward point.

Hits the nagging length, around off Kusal Mendis keeps it down the deck.

SIX! TAKE THAT! This is the Kusal Mendis of old. Flighted, outside off, Mendis gives it a good stretch, reaches out and slogs it over mid-wicket. There is a fielder at the ropes but the ball sails over.

Outside off, pushed towards cover.

Full, around off, well defended.

A bit of excitement amongst the Aussies but Chandimal is in. Flighted ball, outside off, very wide, Chandimal was not sure whether to play it from the crease or go forward. His indecision cost him some time and he ended up pushing at it, reaching for the ball. In that process, his back foot went up in the air and wicketkeeper Alex Carey whipped off the bails and appealed for a stumping. It was referred upstairs but the first replay confirmed that Chandimal got his back foot down in time, before the bails could be whipped off.

Third umpire in question. It is for a stumping appeal against Chandimal. Looked to be safe to the naked eye. Safe.

Outside off, 88 kph, turning in, Dinesh Chandimal works it towards short mid-wicket.

Full, outside off, KM gets down and sweeps it through square leg for a single.

Landed well outside off, 88 kph, fuller in length, Kusal gets a big stride and keeps his bat behind the pad, letting the ball hit the pad. Alex Carey appeals for LBW, for not offering a shot but that was not doing enough to hit the stumps.

Fuller, outside off, 88 kph, sharp spin, Mendis turns it towards short mid-wicket.

Quicker ball to start, 85 kph, outside off, a touch short of full, Kusal Mendis defends from his crease.

Nathan Lyon is back on. 13-2-40-1 so far.

FOUR! Short, outside off, 87 kph, Dinesh Chandimal rocks back and punches it through the covers. Backward point tries to cut it off but cannot get there. 9th boundary for Chandimal who moves to 62 while Sri Lanka trail Australia by 527 runs.

Quicker than the previous ball, 87 kph, on middle, DC defends it down the track.

Quicker and shorter, outside off, Dinesh punches it with the turn towards backward point.

A touch short, around off, Chandimal punches it towards cover.

Outside off, pushed towards cover.

Slower through the air, fuller in length outside off. Dinesh Chandimal pushes at it and gets a bit of an outside edge, past gully, to his right. He sets off for a single but is sent back in time.

A touch short, around middle, Kusal Mendis nudges it towards short leg.

Around off, solidly defended.

Tossed up, around off, Dinesh lines up for another cover drive but the ball spins in and goes off the inner half of the bat, uppishly, but wide of the bowler, down to long on, for a single.

FOUR! SPANKED! Full, outside off, plenty of width, Dinesh Chandimal uses the width and blasts this against the turn, driving it uppishly, but wide of Nathan Lyon at mid off, to his left, to fetch himself his 8th boundary.

Full and just around off, Chandimal pushes it towards the covers.

Landed outside off, Dinesh Chandimal lets it go.

Landed outside off, Kusal Mendis lunges and blocks.

Outside off, eased wide of long off for a single.

Outside off, pushed to the off side.

Full, on middle, Mendis sweeps it from the stumps through square leg for a run.

A short ball, outside off, punched towards long off for a single.

Full, on off stump, pushed back to the bowler.

Meanwhile, big news coming in from Australia. MITCHELL MARSH HAS BEEN RULED OUT OF THE CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025, due to a back injury. The allrounder missed the last Test against India and then barely featured in the Big Bash League too. And with this fresh news, his stint with Lucknow for the Indian T20 League can also be considered to be cancelled. Australia might look at a like-for-like replacement and with Cameron Green still ruled out, maybe, Aaron Hardie or Beau Webster get a look in.

On middle and leg, defended to the leg side.

Outside off, eased behind point for a single. The deficit is now 539.

Lovely line and length. Quicker ball, outside off, going on with the arm, Chandimal lunges to push but the ball hits a rough patch and skids through, beating the outside edge.

Full, around off, Dinesh Chandimal defends.

Fuller, outside off, pushed to the off side.

Full, outside off, going away with the arm, left alone.

It has been a good period for Dinesh Chandimal for the last 9-10 months. Since March 2024, he has scored more than 650 runs in Tests, at an average of 47 with 7 50-plus scores in 15 innings.

Flatter, outside off, Kusal pushes at it but is beaten by the turn again.

Turn and bounce! Quicker ball, outside off, Mendis lunges to defend but then the ball shoots and turns away viciously. Luckily for Mendis, the length is on the shorter side and he is able to bail out.

Full, outside off, Kusal Mendis leans and drives it towards cover.

FIFTY FOR CHANDIMAL! His 31st in Test career and his second against Australia. He has been tested throughout the inning so far but has stood tall for the hosts and will know the onus lies on his shoulder. Full, on off, Dinesh Chandimal looks to play it straight but gets a thick outside edge past slip for a single.

Full, on off, quicker as well, Dinesh Chandimal lunges and defends.

Very full, on the pads, Kusal Mendis sweeps it to deep backward square leg for a single and gets off the mark.

Quicker through the air, around off, Dinesh defends watchfully.

Full, around off, Chandimal gets a good stride to defend.

Landed outside off, Dinesh Chandimal punches it towards cover.

Nagging length, just outside off, Dinesh Chandimal looks to cut but gets an under edge down the deck.

FOUR! Good shot! Full, on middle and leg, Dinesh Chandimal whips it across the line and gets it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Full, on middle, Dinesh Chandimal drives it to mid off.

A huge shout for LBW, turned down by the umpire. Doesn't really matter because Todd Murphy has overstepped. Fired in fuller and on middle and leg, Dinesh Chandimal looks to tuck it down but is beaten by the extra bounce that Murphy generated and gets hit on the pad. Steven Smith has a discussion with the fielders around the deck and decide not to take the review. Just then, the third umpire chips in to inform of the NO BALL.

Meanwhile, in Melbourne, at Tea on Day 2 of the one-off Test in the Women's Ashes, Australia Women have strengthened their position, reaching 154/2, in response to England's 170. They lost Phoebe Litchfield for 45 this afternoon but Annabel Sutherland is looking great on 71 and has been joined by skipper Alyssa Healy. That stand has already reached 55 as well.

Outside off again, pushed to the off side once more. Just a run and a wicket from the over, Matthew Kuhnemann's figures read 10-2-39-2 so far.

Fuller, outside off, Kusal Mendis pushes it towards cover.

Landed outside off, pushed towards the off side..

Kusal Mendis walks in next at number 7, replacing his skipper, Dhananjaya de Silva.

OUT! STUMPED! Oh dear, Dhananjaya de Silva throws his wicket to say the least! Matthew Kuhnemann strikes soon after the break and breaks the 40-run stand. Just when things started to seem like were getting back on track for Sri Lanka, they lose their skipper. Matthew Kuhnemann gives the ball air and keeps it outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva, almost as a predetermined approach skips down the track for a heave across the line and misses by a long way. The ball goes past to the right of the keeper Alex Carey who flicks the bails in a flash with absolutely no way for DDS to get back. Sri Lanka lose half their side now and are 107/5, trailing by 547 runs.

Full, on off, Dinesh Chandimal firms his drive to deep cover for a single.

Very full, on off, Chandimal drives it straight back to the bowler.

DRINKS BREAK. Finally, an enjoyable hour for the Lankans after nearly 12 hours of disappointment over the past 2 days. They have lost Kamindu Mendis early but Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva are playing positive cricket to revive the hopes of a fightback. Sri Lanka are not looking at the scoreboard and hence, have managed to score 62 runs in 17 overs this morning. The pitch has slowly started to show its signs, with the odd ball bouncing and turning sharply, but largely, it has been a good deck to bat. Barring Nathan Lyon, all the Aussie bowlers have been on the money more or less. Lyon has probably tried to overdo things and hence, not quite settled into a consistent line or length.

FOUR MORE! Getting into his groove here, is the skipper. A touch short, outside off, de Silva rocks back and punches it through the covers. The fielder gives it a chase from cover but comes second.

FOUR! CARESSED! Overpitched, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva leans and drives it through the covers. 100 UP FOR SRI LANKA, trail by 552.

Landed outside off, steered behind point for a single.

Full, outside off, de Silva pushes it through covers for one.

Very full, just outside off, Chandimal pushes it in front of cover and the batters steal a quick run. Good running this!

Starts from around the wicket and goes full, on off, Chandimal blocks.

Comparing the spin attack of both teams, Sri Lanka have been comparably slower, bowling in the mid 80s (kph) on average. The Aussies, on the other hand, have preferred to keep their pace in the 90s. That is more due to the wickets in Australia, where there is good bounce and carry. In the sub-continent though, the slower you bowl, the better you get as a spinner on these tracks. Here's Todd Murphy. 1-1-0-0 so far.

The arm ball, on middle and leg, Dhananjaya de Silva tucks it towards short mid-wicket.

Full and straight, watchfully defended.

Tossed up, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal leans and drives it towards long off for a single. The deficit is now 559.

Looped full, on off, Chandimal eases his drive to cover.

Shorter in length, at the stumps, Dhananjaya de Silva waits back and works it in front of square and picks up a single.

Full, on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva tucks it to mid-wicket.

Short and turning in a long way, going down leg, Dhananjaya de Silva rocks back and waits for the ball to reach to him and tucks it behind square on the leg side for a single.

Full, on middle, Dinesh Chandimal steps out and jams it to long on for a single.

Comes from around the wicket now and fires it full, on off, Chandimal blocks.

Lyon follows up with a slower one, on a nagging length, turning back in from around off, Dinesh Chandimal lunges to tuck it across but misses onto his pad.

FOUR! Has been trying this shot for a long time, and finally gets it perfectly right. Full, on middle and off, Chandimal reverse sweeps it through point for a boundary.

Full, on off, Dinesh Chandimal flicks it to mid-wicket.

Meanwhile, SOUTH AFRICA have become the first team to enter the final of the 2025 ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia. Restricting Australia to 105/8, riding on Ashleigh van Wyk's 4-fer, the batters chased it down comfortably in the 19th over, with 5 wickets to spare, with Jemma Botha top scoring with 37. What a passage of play for South Africa as a nation. Reached the final of the Women's T20 World Cup in 2024, have qualified for the final of the Men's World Test Championship in June 2025 and now, have reached the final of the Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup!

Full, at the stumps, Dhananjaya de Silva watchfully defends it down the deck.

FOUR! Nice shot! Very full, on middle and leg, slower than the previous one, Dhananjaya de Silva sweeps it square on the leg side and beats deep backward square leg to his left.

Tossed up, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva sweeps it to deep square leg and takes a couple of runs.

Very full, on middle and leg, DDS sticks his bat ahead and defends.

Similar line and length, Dhananjaya de Silva goes back and dabs it in front of cover.

Full, at the stumps, Dhananjaya de Silva dead bats it to the off side.

Quick, full and around off, Chandimal taps it back to the bowler.

Full, on off, Dinesh Chandimal finally manages to connect his reverse sweep but cannot get it past backward point.

Tossed up, on off, Chandimal drops it down the deck.

Short and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva rocks back and whips it past short leg for a single.

Fuller, on middle and off, DDS goes deep in the crease and tucks it to mid-wicket.

Nagging length, around off, turning in, Chandimal clips it to mid-wicket for one.

Full, at the stumps, Dhananjaya de Silva confidently blocks.

Drags the length down, but keeps the line around off, de Silva cuts it to point.

Tossed up, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva pushes it to point.

Full, on middle and off, DDS shows full face of the bat and blocks.

A huge shout for LBW, but is turned down. Looks so close but seems like there was some bat involved. Australia do not send it upstairs. Full and on middle, skidding through straight, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to block and gets an inside edge onto his pads.

Quicker, full and at the stumps, Dhananjaya de Silva pushes it to cover.

Tries it again and misses. Not that full, just outside off, Dinesh Chandimal gets hit on the pad missing on the reverse sweep.

Full, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal looks to a reverse sweep but fails to connect. Gets hit on the front pad.

Pitching fuller, on off, Dhananjaya de Silva works it to long on and picks up a run.

Full, just outside off, pushed through quicker, Dhananjaya de Silva makes room to cut but is deceived by the pace and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Tossed up, outside out, DDS lunges and defends.

Full, around off, Dinesh Chandimal walks into the shot and hits it to long on for one.

Looped a bit, full, on middle, Dinesh Chandimal drives it well to long off for a single.

A bit short and on off, Dinesh Chandimal cuts it to cover.

Tossed up, on middle and leg, Chandimal nudges it to mid-wicket.

Around off, pushed towards cover.

Very well played. Tossed up, around off, the skipper goes back, uses the pace of Kuhnemann and guides it to the right of first slip. Todd Murphy gives it a good chase from backward point, gets to the ball and pulls it back in with a dive. Keeps the batters to three. De Silva is off the mark. The deficit is now 578.

Landed outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva rocks back and cuts it towards point.

First bowling change of the day. Matthew Kuhnemann into he attack. 5-1-26-1 so far.

Goes full and outside off, Dinesh Chandimal takes a good stride out and blocks it.

Full and at the stumps, Chandimal turns it across to mid-wicket.

Flatter in trajectory, quick and on middle, Dinesh Chandimal tucks it to mid-wicket.

A touch shorter, around off, flicked to the leg side.

Fuller, around off, watchfully defended.

FOUR! BRILLIANT! Tossed up, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal comes down the track, takes the ball on the full and drives it through the covers! Moves to 33 with his 5th boundary.

How's this for a stat? Mitchell Starc and Alyssa Helay - the only married couple to be dismissed for 99 in their respective Test matches! Starc's 99 came against India, in Mohali, 2013 while Healy missed out on her century against South Africa Women in Perth, 2024.

Hits the deck hard, on a back of a length, angling it away, outside off, Dhananjaya de Silva reaches out for it and pushes it straight to point.

Digs it short and on middle, Dinesh Chandimal is quick to react this time and pulls it all along the ground to deep square leg for a single.

Hard length, on off, Chandimal shows full face of the bat and taps it to mid off.

Well, that has hurt Chandimal. Starc is no military-medium bowler so the ball comes onto you pretty quickly. That ball was bowled with a scrambled seam and looks like a part of the seam has hit Chandimal on the rib, where there is no guard in place. The physio gives him a couple of pills to pop up. Good to go now, is Chandimal. Is Smith bringing in a short leg? Nope. Thought he might make Chandimal hear some more chin music.

A short ball, down the leg side, Dinesh looks to pull but misses and is hit on the ribs.

On a good length, around middle, curving in, Chandimal works it towards short mid-wicket.

Full, around off, Dinesh Chandimal drives it towards mid off.

Fuller and just outside off, de Silva waits back and defends it to the off side.

Tossed up, around off, turning back in, Dhananjaya de Silva covers the line and blocks.

Full, on middle, Dinesh Chandimal punches it to mid off and takes a single.

A quicker ball, down the leg side, Dinesh nudges it towards short leg.

Fuller, just around off, Chandimal lunges to defend but the ball straightens and takes the inner half of the bat, dropping down the pitch.

Landed around middle, turning in, Dinesh Chandimal turns it towards leg gully.

Fuller again, around middle and off, Dhananjaya de Silva drops his bat on it with soft hands and keeps it out towards slip.

Full and angling across, outside off, DDS lets it pass.

Beauty of a delivery to the new batter. Toe crushing yorker, tailing in as well, Dhananjaya de Silva lifts his back leg and jams it out.

Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva walks in next at number 6, replacing Kamindu Mendis.

OUT! CAUGHT DOWN THE LEG SIDE! Oh dear, what a gift of a wicket for Australia! Definitely not the best ball Starc has bowled in his career and definitely not a part of the team plan either. It is a buffet ball, full and down the leg side, with the caption written in bold letters - 'HELP YOURSELF'. Kamindu Mendis looks to flick it away but all he manages is a faint tickle behind to the keeper and Alex Carey does the rest! Starc cannot hide his glee because he knows that the ball did not deserve a wicket at all. But Australia will take it. Kamindu walks back for 15 and the 37-run stand is broken. Sri Lanka are 67/4 and trail Australia by 587!

Good running again. A length ball, outside off, Chandimal pushes it down the ground past the bowler. Sets off running and gets to the other end even before Travis Head can get to the ball from mid off.

A length ball, down the leg side, Dinesh Chandimal misses his tuck and is hit on the pads.

Aha... what a moment in cricket! The husband is bowling while the wife is batting! Not in the same game, of course. Mitchell Starc is bowling here while in Melbourne, wife Alyssa Healy has just come out to bat for Australia Women, with the team losing its first wicket of the morning in the form of Phoebe Litchfield.

Very full, but way too quick again, around off, KM pushes it back to the bowler.

Another arm ball, outside off, a touch short, Chandimal punches it behind point for one.

Full and fast, down the leg side, Mendis turns it just past short leg, to his left and gets a run. The deficit is now 589.

Around middle, pushed to the leg side.

Short and outside off, gets away with it, does Lyon. Kamindu Mendis rocks back and cuts but finds point. The fielder is a bit deep and Mendis wants a single but is sent back.

Tossed up, around middle, Dinesh Chandimal comes down the track and drives it down to long on for a single.

Excellent running. On a good length, around middle, Dinesh Chandimal just taps it behind square on the leg side with soft hands and takes a quick run. That barely went 10 yards away from the pitch.

Full and down the leg side, Kamindu Mendis misses his flick and the ball goes off the pads behind square leg. A leg bye taken.

A quick short ball, outside off, KM is hurried into the pull and gets a bottom edge to the leg side.

Full, outside off, coming in slightly, Kamindu looks to drive straight but the ball goes off the inner half of the bat towards mid on.

Landed outside off, coming in, Mendis pushes it towards point.

On a good length, outside off, moving away, Kamindu Mendis lets it go.

FOUR! Ugly, but effective. Full, around leg stump, Dinesh Chandimal plays a pre-meditated reverse sweep, dragging the ball from the leg stump but loses his balance slightly. Is not in total control of the shot but manages to get it over point. Three boundaries in that over but Australia will not mind those shots too much. The stand is now worth 31.

Full, outside off, Dinesh looks to defend but the ball straightens and squares him up, going past the outside edge.

Around off, worked to the leg side.

EDGED, FOUR MORE! So nearly could have been a wicket. Lyon darts this one outside off, bowling it much flatter, Dinesh Chandimal pushes at it, beaten by pace and gets a thick outside edge as the ball skids through. The outside edge is taken but it flies quickly between the keeper and Steven Smith at first slip, to the deep third fence. The deficit is now 597.

FOUR! SMOKED! In full control this time. Full, outside off, Chandimal gets down on a knee and sweeps this powerfully over square leg! 50 UP FOR SRI LANKA, trail by 601 runs.

Tossed up, around middle, Dinesh Chandimal comes down the track but is not to the pitch of the ball. Is early into the flick and gets a leading edge through the covers for a couple. Ooens his account for the day.

Overpitched, outside off, Kamindu drives it straight to short cover.

Very full, but tailing down the leg side, Mendis misses his tuck and is hit high on the thighs.

A bit further outside off, let through.

That is a peach. Starc lands this on a good length, outside off and gets it to angle into the left-hander. Kamindu Mendis is forced to play at the ball but then it moves away late, squaring him up and beating the outside edge.

Outside off, let through.

A short ball, around off, defended back to the bowler.

Mitchell Starc it will be from the other end.  Turned 35 yesterday and became only the fourth Aussie, after Warne, McGrath and Brett Lee, to claim 700 international wickets. 4-0-10-1 so far.

Edged, short! This one goes on with the arm, outside off, DC pushes at it and gets a thick outside edge. Lands just in front of Steven Smith at first slip!

What did that hit? And what did that not hit? Well, the answer to the first question is pad. The answer to the second question is the bat of Chandimal and the helmet behind the keeper! This could so easily have been 5 penalty runs! Landed outside off, Dinesh gets across to defend but the ball spins back in viciously. Hits the pads and then lobs over the keeper, Alex Carey. Lands perilously close to the helmet placed behind but then, bounces over it. Beau Webster tracks it down from leg gully and the batters return for the second. Leg byes signalled.

Way too quick, on middle, Chandimal defends.

On middle and leg, Dinesh Chandimal tucks it towards square leg.

A touch short, around middle, Kamindu works it through mid-wicket for a single to get Sri Lanka off the mark this morning. The deficit is now 609.

An edge straightaway. Full, outside off, Kamindu Mendis looks to drive it through the off side but the ball lands and then spins away a touch and takes the outside edge. Does not carry to gully.

And now, let's talk about Australia Men. The players are back out in the middle with a few Aussies crowding the pitch, one of them majorly being Marnus Labuschagne. Oh dear Steven Smith, all the best. Labuschagne is going to eat your head out, begging you to allow him to bowl leg spin on a track which assists spinners. Smith will hope that the situation does not reach that stage. Out walk the overnight batters as well. It will be Nathan Lyon to start proceedings on Day 3, to Kamindu Mendis. Here we go.

Talking about Australia Women, let's shift to the seniors then. The second day of the one-off Ashes Test has begun in Melbourne, with Australia resuming from their overnight score of 56/1. They have reached 94/1 and trail England by 76 runs. Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland are currently in a 75-run stand. From what we could see in a span of 45 minutes, Australia gave a few chances but the visitors were not able to grab those.

PITCH REPORT - Russel Arnold is observing the track. He mentions that the area around the good and short length areas is seeing some cracks opening. That could assist some more turn for the spinners and could also encourage indifferent bounce. Adds that the pitch has started to look more brownish in colour and the dryness will only increase. However, he says that if the batters apply themselves, there are runs to be scored.

Let's take a tour around the globe till then. The semifinals of the ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup have kicked off in Kuala Lumpur with South Africa producing an exceptional bowling and fielding display to restrict Australia to 105/8. Ashleigh van Wyk starred with the ball, taking 4/17 while for the Aussies, Caoimhe Bray top scored with 36. The pitch did not look any slow as such and one has to credit South Africa for restricting their opponents to a below-par score.

Well, last evening, Farveez Mahroof mentioned on air that we will be starting at 4.10 am GMT. But by the looks of it, that is the broadcast time and the game is actually scheduled to 4.20 am GMT. Either ways, we are also trying to find out the exact start time. Please stay with us. Bright and sunny conditions welcome us in Galle. Roshan Abeysinghe and Simon Katich are still on the sidelines, which means that there is still some time for the game to resume.

While everything is heavily stacked in Australia’s favour, Sri Lanka will look to win one session at a time and take the game as deep as possible. With rain still looming as a potential factor, both teams will have their own set plans to navigate the remaining days. As we head into ‘Moving Day’, today’s play should give us a clear indication of where this Test is headed - not that we don’t already have a fair idea, but cricket is a game of surprises! Stay tuned as the action resumes shortly!

Australia, on the other hand, have been exceptional with both bat and ball. After piling on the runs, their bowlers have hit the right areas, extracting turn and bounce, and their fielding has been razor-sharp. The spinners, in particular, have been relentless, creating doubts in the minds of the Sri Lankan batters. With their grip tightening on the match, the Aussies will be eager to tear through Sri Lanka’s deflated batting lineup, enforce the follow-on, and try to wrap things up.

Rain has disrupted play late on both days so far, but to make up for lost time, we are set for an early start again. For Sri Lanka, this is an uncertain and daunting situation. They have a mountain to climb and will need at least a couple of batters to stand up, take responsibility, and bat out of their skins to get anywhere close to Australia’s total. With three wickets already lost, the onus now falls on Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis, two players who have the experience and temperament to stage a fightback. Their immediate focus will be to dig in, grind it out, and build a solid partnership to give the hosts any chance of staying in the contest.

Hello and welcome to Day 3 of the first Test of the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy, 2025, where Australia have completely dominated the opening two days, amassing a colossal 654 runs in their first innings before reducing Sri Lanka to 44/3. With one possible result all but out of the equation, the visitors are in full control as the match heads into its crucial phase.

... DAY 3, SESSION 1 ...

Pretty self explanatory to understand what the scorecard says. 44/3 plays 654/6. The only team which looks to be winning from here is Australia, so that means, only two results seem the most likely from here on. But this is just the first innings and the visitors will need 17 more wickets to win the match. Both, Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis have got a life early on, with Chandimal being dropped by substitute Nathan McSweeney on 5, while Kamindu Mendis gloved one down the leg side to Alex Carey on 1, but no one appealed. UltraEdge later detected a nick. If the Lankans can do what the Aussies did - just bat and bat and grind the opposition out, they could force the visitors to sweat it out in the heat and get tired. Play is scheduled to start even earlier, on Day 3, Friday, 31st January 2025, at 4.10 am GMT but our build up will begin well before that. Do join us in advance then. In the meanwhile, you can catch all the action from the Women's Ashes and the semifinals of the Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup by clicking on the respective matchcentres. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Earlier, Australia produced a superior batting display on a track which looked a batting beauty. There was some turn on offer but not much to disturb the batters. Three centurions stole the show, in Usman Khawaja, captain Steven Smith and debutant Josh Inglis ​​​​​​while Travis Head will be mentioned somewhere for providing the blistering start and pushing Sri Lanka on the back foot in the first hour of the match itself. Khawaja went on to get his maiden double ton in Tests and that saw the Aussies pile on their highest score in an inning of a Test in Asia - 654/6. En route, Inglis became the first batter from Australia in 10 years to score a century in his debut Test. The Lankans looked down and out for most part of the innings but will still take heart from the fact that Prabath Jayasuriya and Jeffrey Vandersay took 3 wickets apiece.

With around 23 overs left in the day's play, Sri Lanka started positively with the bat, but then, technical deficiencies saw the two openers getting dismissed pretty quickly. Mitchell Starc did not find much swing but he got bounce, which got rid of Dimuth Karunaratne, though the former skipper could have avoided that shot. There is plenty of turn for the spinners, exploited by both Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon. And one main difference between Sri Lanka and Australia thus far - FIELDING - has already come to the fore, in the form of the sharp catch taken by Travis Head at short leg to get rid of Angelo Mathews.

There comes the confirmation. It is indeed STUMPS ON DAY 2. 6 sessions on the trot in Australia's favour. After declaration, they would have hoped to get a wicket or two before the close of play, but the wicket of Angelo Mathews was a bonus. 4 bowlers have been used and the first 3 who bowled have struck once. The Lankans have their backs to the wall with plenty of time left in this Test match.

Josh Inglis is doing an interview on the sidelines. Honestly says that the century on Test debut has not yet sunk in and is happy with how the day shaped up for Australia. Smiles on being asked about the feeling to start the innings with a boundary but stresses that since he has been with the group for quite a while, there was no nervousness. Feels thrilled to have his family watch him play at the venue and adds that this moment will be cherished for the rest of his life.

Well, a gentle drizzle is falling at the moment. But the umpires are okay for play to carry on. In fact, the drizzle has gotten heavier and the umpires have called for the covers. The groundstaff get the covers on and it looks highly unlikely that we will get any more play on Thursday.

Around off, pushed to the off side.

Ohhh... Murphy and Smith will smile. Unnecessary from Chandimal. It is okay to play your natural game but with 15 minutes left in the day? Debatable. Flighted, outside off, Dinesh has a wild slog and gets it off the inner half of the bat towards short fine leg.

Quicker again, outside off, DC lunges and smothers the spin.

A bit flatter and quicker, outside off, Dinesh lunges and drives it towards mid off.

Very slow through the air, fuller on middle, Chandimal defends.

Good start for Murphy. Comes from around the wicket and angles the ball in, onto middle, Dinesh Chandimal nudges it towards short fine leg.

We are already into extended time. Roughly 15 minutes left in the day. But 10 overs still to be bowled, which means we will be 4-5 overs short. Todd Murphy gets a look in, in the final moments of the day. The understudy of Nathan Lyon, an off spinner.

The arm ball, skids off the deck from outside off, Kamindu Mendis nudges it towards short fine leg.

Better, slows the speed down, does Lyon, on middle, KM blocks it in front of silly point.

This is outside off, again, a bit too quick through the air, Kamindu pushes it through gully but it is stopped.

A bit too quicker through the air, tossing the ball up on middle, spinning away, Mendis defends watchfully.

Full, around middle, Kamindu Mendis lunges and defends it in front of silly point.

Floated, from around the wicket, on middle, Dinesh Chandimal comes down the track, takes it on the full and drives it through the covers for a single.

FOUR! A short ball, down the leg side, Kamindu Mendis rocks back and pulls it to the right of leg slip, getting a boundary at fine leg. 12 from the over, Matthew Kuhnemann's figures read 5-1-26-1.

Around middle and leg, slow turn, defended watchfully.

A touch short, outside off, Kamindu rocks back and punches it through the covers for a couple.

Around middle and off, watchfully defended.

Full, around off, Mendis pushes it towards mid off.

SIX! SMOKED! That's what Kamindu Mendis can do. Use his feet against the spinners. Flighted, on middle, Mendis jumps down the track and sends the ball sailing over long on! The deficit is now 617.

Around off, worked towards square leg.

Outside off, nudged to the leg side.

Full, outside off, now Dinesh looks to sweep but misses and is hit on the body.

Outside off, turning in again, Chandimal looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads again.

Full, around off, swept towards square leg.

Huge shout for LBW, turned down! That was close. Full, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal lunges to defend but does so with his bat behind the pad. Gets hit on the pads and Lyon appeals but umpire Adrian Holdstock shakes his head. Australia do not review. Ball Tracking indicates too much turn, clipping the outer half of leg stump.

Fuller, around off, watchfully defended.

Full and down the leg side, Kamindu flicks it and it nearly carries into the bucket-like hands of Beau Webster at leg slip.

Around middle and leg, nudged in front of short leg.

Down the leg side, Mendis looked to sweep but misses and the ball bounces above his gloves.

On middle and leg, played in front of short leg.

Matthew Kuhnemann gets a change of ends. Starts with a length ball around leg stump, Kamindu Mendis nudges this to the leg side.

Stright one, full and on off, Mendis looks to paly straight, gets an inside edge to square leg for one.

Tossed full, around middle, Kamindu Mendis leans ahead and looks to block. Gets an inside edge back onto his pads.

Full, at the stumps, Kamindu Mendis blocks it out.

Nightwatchman time? Nope. Kamindu Mendis has walked out with around 30 minutes left in the day.

OUT! CAUGHT! Travis Head takes an extraordinary catch! Brilliant bowling and an even better take to see the back of Angelo Mathews! Sri Lanka are reeling at 30/3, trailing by 624 more runs. Nathan Lyon tosses the ball up, around off and gets it to dip in front of the batter. Angelo Mathews takes a good stride to block but the ball dips, turns back in sharply and goes off the inside edge. It lobs off his pads to the right of short leg where Travis Head flings across with an outstretched right hand to grab on.

Full, on middle and leg, Angelo Mathews looks to block. Gets beaten off the pads and the ball goes to leg slip.

Short and turning in sharply, on middle, Angelo Mathews goes back and tucks it to square leg.

Tossed right up, on off, Dinesh Chandimal blocks it to the off side.

Full and into the pads, Angelo Mathews looks to tuck it fine but misses. The ball deflects off his pad and rolls down to short leg region and the batters take a leg bye.

Full, on middle and off, Dinesh Chandimal firms it to cover and takes a quick single.

Tossed up, around middle and off, Chandimal keeps it out.

Full, on off, Dinesh Chandimal prods to block.

A very loud shout for LBW, but is turned down by the umpire. Looks to be sliding down leg but after a long chat, Steven Smith decides to send it upstairs for a check. Matthew Kuhnemann bowls this with the arm, on a fuller length, around middle and going straight on with the angle coming into the right-hander. Dinesh Chandimal looks to block straight but gets beaten on the inside edge and get hit on the front pad. The replays show no bat involved and nothing apart from the pitch was in line. The ball was certainly going down leg. Australia lose their review.

Change of bats for Angelo Mathews. As far as Australia are concerned, they might want a change of the bails.

Full, around off, Angelo Mathews tucks it to mid-wicket.

Short and turning in on the hips, Angelo Mathews goes deep and decides to leave. The ball clips him high on the thigh bat and goes to the left of the keeper.

Full, on middle and off, Angelo Mathews taps it to cover.

Full, on middle, Angelo Mathews clips it to the leg side.

What just happened there? Is that the lady luck switching sides? Oh dear yes! The ball hits the stumps but the bails don't fall off the groove. Hands on head for Angelo Mathews! Nathan Lyon bowls this on a nagging length, around middle and leg, Angelo Mathews is cramped in for room as he looks to block. The ball hits his pad and dribbles back off the deck to roll behind and crash into the stumps.

Full and down leg, Angelo Mathews looks to sweep but is beaten.

It is now becoming a regularity. After every alternate delivery bowled by Mitchell Starc, the umpire is having a look at where is Starc landing and how close is he to the danger area.

On a length, around middle and off, Chandimal cuts it to point.

Full, around off, Dinesh Chandimal pushes it to cover.

Half a chance? Yes, looks like it! A real tough one but they do stick sometimes. Angling away, outside off, on a fuller length, Dinesh Chandimal throws everything at it and gets a thick outside edge that flies over Nathan McSweeney at gully. He times his jump right, and gets both hands to it but the force with which the ball was hit allows the ball to burst through and go past. Two runs taken.

Length, outside off, Dinesh Chandimal holds his stance and lets it pass.

Digs it into the deck, on a short of a length, around middle and off, Dinesh Chandimal keeps it down the deck.

Good length, at the stumps, Angelo Mathews taps it to cover and takes a run.

Change of ends for Kuhnemann? Not yet. Starc to continue.

Slower one, full and outside off, Angelo Mathews nudges it in front of cover and picks up a single.

Full, on off, clipped to mid-wicket.

Tossed up, around off, Angelo Mathews goes deep in the crease to cover the line and tucks it to the leg side.

Full, on off, Matthews blocks it out.

FOUR! Nicely done! Lyon drops it short and on the hips, bouncing a bit more off the deck, Angelo Mathews tucks it past Beau Webster at leg slip and finds his first boundary too.

Starts from around the wicket and lands the first one on a fuller length, outside off, Angelo Mathews taps it to mid off.

First bowling change of the innings. Here comes the GOAT, Nathan Lyon. Had an ordinary series against India, so will be looking to make amends here.

Full, outside off, left alone by Chandimal.

Hard length, around off, shaping away further, Dinesh Chandimal holds his wrists up and makes a leave.

FOUR! Beautiful shot and that sounded sweet! On a fuller length, around off, Dinesh Chandimal creams his drive through covers. The ball just pings off the bat and races away to the fence.

Off the mark straightaway. Angelo Mathews tucks it through square leg for a single.

Angelo Mathews walks in next at number 4, replacing Dimuth Karunaratne.

OUT! EDGED, DROPPED, THEN CAUGHT! It is Nathan McSweeney, on as a substitute for Usman Khawaja. Good reflexes. He was excellent in his brief meeting against India at home recently, taking sharp catches behind the wickets. It is almost a replica of what happened on the previous ball. That angle from Starc, left-arm over the wicket forces Karunaratne to play at a ball which he probably could have left alone. The ball comes in after landing on a good length but it is still well outside off. Dimuth Karunaratne looks to guide the ball behind point but there is extra bounce which makes Karunaratne to rise with the ball. He is not in control and gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies behind to gully where McSweeney rises with the ball and half-stops it. Luckily for him, the ball goes straight up in the air. McSweeney initially is not sure where the ball is, so he searches for the ball but then, locates it. Turns back slightly, dives and takes it neatly. The Aussies rush towards him to celebrate as Karunaratne walks back for 7. Sri Lanka are 15/2 and trail by 639!

Ooohh... On a good length, outside off, coming in with the angle, Dimuth Karunaratne fishes inside the line but then, the ball straightens off the deck to beat the outside edge.

Tossed up, at the stumps, Chanidimal blocks it out.

Full, on middle and leg, Karunaratne tucks it to square leg for one.

FOUR! As easy as it can get! A low full toss, around off, Dimuth Karunaratne thumps it past mid off to his left for a boundary.

Very full, on middle, Chandimal flicks it through mid-wicket for a run and gets off the mark.

The arm ball, from around the wicket, but pitching outside leg. Dinesh Chandimal looks to tuck it fine but misses and is hit on the pads.

Full, around middle, Dimuth Karunaratne works it through square leg for a single.

The sun is back. Bright sunshine has enveloped the ground now, with the dark clouds gone away. We still roughly have an hour to go for Stumps, with the extra half hour included, so should get most of the remaining 21 overs in.

A bit fuller than the previous one, around off, Dimuth Karunaratne leans into it and drives it to covers for a single.

Beauty of a delivery! On a fuller length, outside off, shaping away off the surface, Dimuth Karunaratne initially looks to play at it but withdraws his shot at the very end.

Hurls it full, on middle and off, Dimuth Karunaratne drives it to mid on.

On a good length, around off, nipping back in sharply. Karunaratne looks to tuck it away but misses and is hit high on the thigh pads. Starc starts to appeal but then bails out. The impact looked a bit high.

Around off, pushed towards mid on again.

Fuller, on middle, Dimuth Karunaratne pushes it towards mid on.

Dinesh Chandimal walks in next at number 3, replacing Oshada Fernando. Meanwhile, in Melbourne, at Stumps on Day 1 of the one-off Test between Australia Women and England Women, the hosts have ended the day on 56/1, after dismissing England earlier for 170. The hosts lost debutant Georgia Voll early for 12, to Lauran Bell but the duo of Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland calmed nerves with an unbeaten 37-run stand for the second wicket. Play resumes on Day 2 at 3.30 am GMT on Friday.

OUT! LBW! Matthew Kuhnemann strikes in his very first over! Terrific start for Australia. Kuhnemann lands it around middle and leg, on a length and gets the ball to turn away from the right-hander off the deck, Oshada Fernando goes deep in the crease, opens up his stance and looks to tuck it down but misses on the inside edge and gets hit high on the pad. Up go the Aussies in unison for an appeal and just when Matthew Kuhnemann turned his back to the umpire and looks to the keeper to ask for a review, the umpire raises his finger. Oshada Fernando decides to send it upstairs for a review hoping for the ball to either have pitched down leg or the impact to be too high. But the UltraEdge and Ball Tracking both come in favour of Australia and Sri Lanka lose their first wicket for 7/1.

Gone! Oshada Fernando has been adjudged LBW by umpire Adian Holdstock! But Fernando has taken the review. That looked pretty close. Nothing on the UltraEdge as the ball moves close to the bat. How high was the impact? Three reds, Oshada gone, review gone!

Another one that is tossed right up, at the stumps, Fernando gets his bat ahead and keeps it out.

Tossed up, at the stumps, Oshada Fernando blocks.

Risky shot! Very full, on middle and leg, Oshada gets down to play the paddle and manages to execute it, with the ball hitting the top part of the bat and going down the leg side. Two runs taken. Had he missed it, he was plumb LBW.

Fuller, around off, watchfully defended.

FOUR! First boundary for Sri Lanka! Landed outside off, a touch short, Oshada Fernando allows the ball to come to him and dabs it past slip, beating backward point to his left. The deficit is now 649.

It will be interesting to see whom does Steven Smith turn to, from the other end. Like Sri Lanka, Australia also have only one frontline seamer in Starc. Yes, there is Beau Webster, but he is more of a backup option. The left-arm spin of Matthew Kuhnemann has been chosen to share the new ball with Starc.

Full and on middle, Dimuth Karunaratne works it to mid-wicket. A good first over from Mitchell Starc! Sri Lanka are 1/0 at the end of it.

Hits the deck hard, on a shorter length, down leg, Dimuth Karunaratne leaves it.

Sri Lanka and Fernando are underway with a risky single. Length, outside off, Oshada Fernando taps it to the right of point and the batters set off for the run. Josh Inglis moves to his right, picks the ball on a couple of bounces and fires the throw at the batting end but fails to hit the target. Had that hit the stumps, Dimuth Karunaratne was gone by a long mile.

Landed outside off, this one straightens a touch, Fernando thinks about playing at it but then lets it go.

Full again, but on the pads, Oshada Fernando flicks it towards mid-wicket.

Full, around off, hint of swing, driven straight to cover.

Full, outside off, Starc gives himself room to the leg side and hammers it wide of long off. It goes on the bounce to the fielder. A single taken.

Down the leg side, Starc looks to slog but misses and is hit on the pads.

On middle, pushed to the leg side.

FOUR! SMASH! Tee time. Full, outside off, the angle bringing the ball into the left-hander from around the wicket, Mitchell Starc uses the angle, gets down on a knee and slogs it through mid-wicket. 650 UP FOR AUSTRALIA!

Very full, outside off, Alex Carey reaches out and drives it through mid off for a run.

Around off, punched through the covers for a single.

On middle and leg, nudged to the leg side.

Full, around leg stump, now Alex attempts the sweep but misses and is hit on the pads. A mild LBW appeal by Vandersay but that seemed to be spinning down the leg side.

Full, around leg stump, Alex Carey plays the reverse sweep. The keeper, Kusal Mendis, anticipates brilliantly, getting across to his left, but the ball goes past him to the deep third fence. It is stopped and the batters come back for the second.

Down the leg side, Carey works it towards square leg.

Way too full, outside off, driven back to the bowler.

Full, around middle and leg, pushed back down the track.

This is now the second highest score in an inning of a Test in Galle. Bangladesh's 638 against Sri Lanka in 2013 stood in that spot for quite a long time. The highest score might still stay the highest - 704/3 declared by the Lankans themselves against Ireland, in 2023.

The arm ball, around middle, MS punches it back to the bowler.

SIX! SMASH! There is that mid-wicket area. Peiris tosses this one generously, outside off, very full, right in the arc of Starc who just clears his front leg and swings through with his bottom hand, clearing mid-wicket comfortably.

Outside off, Alex Carey taps it behind point for a quick run.

Landed outside off, Mitchell punches it through the covers for a single.

On middle and leg, Starc looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.

Full, around off, Mitchell Starc lunges to defend.

Concussion check. So that hit Starc on the helmet. He is smiling though and that is good to see. Good to resume as Nishan Peiris returns. 39-1-174-0 so far. Watch out near mid-wicket for a catch or a biggie.

A furious bouncer, around leg stump, MS tries to duck but is late. The ball goes off something and lobs up behind square leg. Was it glove? No, leg bye signalled.

Fuller, in line of the stumps, Mitchell pushes it towards cover.

FOUR! STUPENDOUS! Not for long! Asitha drops it short and Mitchell Starc has had enough of letting the balls go. Pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Outside off, shouldered arms to again. For how long though?

Nice, now a hint of reverse. Asitha Fernando keeps it full, outside off, Starc sees the ball in his arc but lets it go.

That's a good ball. Probably the first effort ball seen from Asitha in the entire inning. On a good length, around middle, Mitchell Starc takes his bat out of the way but cannot avoid getting hit. The ball hits him on the arm and drops down in front of first slip.

That's 150 overs done now.

Looped very full, at the stumps, Starc knocks it down to long on and takes a single.

Full, on middle, Alex Carey works it past the bowler to long off for a single.

Full, outside off, Mitchell Starc whips it to long off off the lower half of the bat for a single and gets off the mark.

Full, around middle, Mitchell Starc lunges and pushes it back to the bowler.

Will anyone walk out now? Yes. Mitchell Starc walks in next at number 8, replacing Beau Webster.

OUT! CAUGHT! Against everything, run of play and what not, a wicket has fallen. Tossed up, outside off, Beau Webster gets down and drills the cover drive really hard. There is a fielder over there who dives to his right but no one realizes that the catch has been taken. Kamindu Mendis then gets up and indicates that he has taken the catch and Sri Lanka find something to smile about. The 59-run stand is broken and Australia are 629/6. Not a bad knock by Beau Webster who looked gritty for his 23.

Full, around middle, Alex Carey gets down and paddles it through fine leg for a single.

It has started to drizzle now. As of now, play continues.

Attacks the stumps, on a fuller length, Webster covers the line and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Very full, at the stumps, Beau Webster jams it back to the bowler.

Back of a length, over middle and leg, Alex Carey pulls it to deep fine leg for a single. Moves to 40 (59).

Full and wide outside off, Carey leans and drives it again, straight to short cover once more.

Outside off, driven on the up but straight to short cover.

On a good length, outside off, angling away, Alex Carey goes for the cut but gets a bottom edge towards cover.

This is now Australia's highest score in an inning of a Test against Sri Lanka as well. Their previous best was 617/5 declared, at the WACA, in Perth in 1995.

Full, on middle, Carey sweeps it to deep backward square leg for one.

A lot happened on just one ball! Jeffrey Vandersay tosses it up, on middle, Alex Carey looks to sweep but only manages to get a tickle to the left of leg slip. Dhananjaya de Silva quickly gets low to his left, stops the ball off his left hand and flicks an underarm throw at the stumps at the batting end while Carey is well inside the crease. The ball then deflects towards the cover region and Carey sets off for a run. Is halfway through and is sent back by Beau Webster.

Full, on off, Beau Webster drives it to long off for one.

Fuller, outside off, worked towards short mid-wicket.