Rain spoils a promised show down between title contenders

World Cup 2011 – Match Report: Sri Lanka v Australia, Group A, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, 5 March 2011


This was a marquee contest which promised a lot. The Australians were to be tested for the first time in the tournament while Sri Lankans were hoping to show their mettle by bringing the defending champions down but rain happened to be the killjoy instead. The points were shared by both as the match was abandoned due to rain midway in the Sri Lankan innings.

Sangakkara opted to bat without pause after winning the toss. Sri Lanka played with 3 spinners as Kulasekara made way for Ajantha Mendis. Australia made no changes. It was an ideal opportunity for Sri Lanka to post a reasonable total on what looked like to be a dry pitch, under hot and humid conditions, for their 3 ‘M’ attack (Malinga, Murali, and Mendis) to strangle Australia during chase. There was, however, a forecast of rain later in the day.

Australian new ball pair of Shaun Tait and Brett Lee bowled with hostility upfront. After a short duel, Tait removed Dilshan who attempted a fierce swipe at an out-swinger and was caught at second slip. Sangakkara came and played with aggressive intent from the outset. Tharanga slashed high at a wider one from Lee but to his amazement Steven Smith threw himself to his left and plucked the ball in thin air. It was four all over written on it but Tharanga had to leave thanks to brilliant work by Smith.

Sri Lanka were 74 for 2 after 15 overs. Just when Mahela Jayawerdene and Sangakkara were taking their team to commanding position, they were pegged back. Smith again was the man. He ran well-set Mahela out by a direct throw when both batsmen hesitated before going for the run.

Sangakkara, averaging 49 against the Aussies, shrugged off the loss of his trusted partner and continued to play positively. The scoring rate was kept under check by spinners, Krejza and Smith. In company with Thilan Samaraweera he first brought his 50 (69b 5x4) and then team hundred in the 24th over.

After a few thunderstorms, rain started pouring down and at the score of 146 for 3 after 32.5 overs, umpires decided to stop the play. The covers came out and crowd waited optimistically in almost dark for the match to resume. Both batsmen were well-set and an intriguing battle was on cards but the match was eventually called off as there was no chance of rain ending any time soon.

The result ensured that Australia’s marvelous unbeaten run in the world cups continues. Sri Lanka needed this win more than Australia as they have only two matches left in the group stage. The battle for the top spot in the group has intensified as Pakistan sits comfortably at the peak. Hence Australia versus Pakistan encounter has become even more consequential.

Match Result: Abandoned due to rain; both teams get 1 point each. Sri Lanka 146/3 in 32.5 overs (Sangakkara 73*, Samaraweera 34*; Tait 1/23,