SL tour of Australia, Jan 16 - Feb 5

[andy]

Lakmal now apparently a doubt with a stiff back, and with another tour to SA round the corner they wont' want to risk him...

[bigfluffylemon]

Big day for Canberra, as after 100 years in existence, the national capital finally becomes a test venue.

After a record-breakingly hot January (five days over 40C, natch), a cool change has come over, and none too soon. It's overcast this morning, but no rain forecast, and temperatures are supposed to be mid-high twenties for most of the match. Good cricket weather, hopefully. I'll be there tomorrow, assuming that Sri Lanka last into a second day...

Between Manuka's reputation as a flat track, and the fact that Sri Lanka will be fielding a second-string fast bowling attack (and their first string is none too hot), I'm expecting the Aussie batsmen to finally fill their boots, but this is still one of the worst Aussie batting line-ups in a very long time, so nothing is certain. However, after the performance in Brisbane, and the relative quality of the two sides' bowling, anything other than an Aussie win will be a huge surprise to me.

[sussexpob]

You in Canberra then?

[bigfluffylemon]

Indeed.

[sussexpob]

Indeed.

Cool. I think even Sri Lanka should last to Day 2, so enjoy the game!

[bigfluffylemon]

Thanks.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Excellent. Have a great day bfl.

It's a ground tick not many will have.

[bigfluffylemon]

Thanks AC.

I don't have many ground ticks overall. Lord's, Edgbaston and Trent Bridge in the UK, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane here. Oh, and Canberra for an ODI.

I nearly got to the India-England game in Chennai in 2008 (I was in Tamil Nadu when the test was on), but the logistics of getting from where I was in Madurai to Chennai, then subsequently to the airport to make my flight home were awkward, and I didn't have the guts to attempt it, although I probably could have done it if I'd been really determined. I don't have many regrets in life, but that is one.

[bigfluffylemon]

Australia win the toss and bat. They name an unchanged XI.

As expected, Sri Lanka lose their three quicks from Brisbane - Lakmal, Kumra and Chameera. Karunaratne, Fernando and Rajitha all come in, with 5 caps between them (debut for Karunaratne). Kusel Perera in for Roshen Silva as well.

[bigfluffylemon]

Good recovery for Australia. The outfield is pretty quick out there, as is typical.

Decent crowd, although not quite a full house. Maybe the cool weather has deterred people. Personally I think it's wonderful after the ridiculous heatwave

[yuppie]

Well 2 scores stand out. Well done to Burns and Head for taking their chances.

Khawajas place might be the one in most jeopardy when the naughty players come back.

I did not know you were based in Canberra BFL. I was there for 2 weeks about a year and half ago and was surprised at how much i liked the place. When younger i had spent a little time at the AIS but had thought little of the place. Going back as a much older person i thought this was the type of place i could live.

[sussexpob]

This was predictable. Well done to head and burns for seizing the moment. Burns underlining how stupid it was to drop him in the first place?

[yuppie]

This was predictable. Well done to head and burns for seizing the moment. Burns underlining how stupid it was to drop him in the first place?

Agreed

[yuppie]

Watching the highlights i counted 6 dropped catches that all should have been taken.

[Arthur Crabtree]

FTBs?