Player of the Match
Player of the Match

That's all we have for you tonight. Thanks for keeping us company on a Sunday. Do join us for the rest of the series. Okay bye

Presentation time
"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
4
Herath to Clarke, FOUR, 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
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:
38 | 4 Runs | AUS: 206/2 (3 runs required from 12 overs, RR: 5.42, RRR: 0.25)

  • Ricky Ponting89 (105b)
  • Michael Clarke54 (66b)
  • Jeevan Mendis3-0-12-0
  • Rangana Herath8-0-52-0
37.6
3
BMAJ 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
0
BMAJ Mendis to Ponting, no run, flighted generously, Ponting drives, but can't beat the straight extra cover
37.4
1
BMAJ Mendis to Clarke, 1 run, Clarke comes down the track, takes this on the full, and gets a single to long-off
37.3
0
BMAJ Mendis to Clarke, no run, tossed up around middle and leg, defended
37.2
0
BMAJ 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
0
BMAJ 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:
37 | 4 Runs | AUS: 202/2 (7 runs required from 13 overs, RR: 5.45, RRR: 0.53)

  • Ricky Ponting86 (103b)
  • Michael Clarke53 (62b)
  • Rangana Herath8-0-52-0
  • Nuwan Kulasekara7-1-38-1
36.6
0
Herath to Ponting, no run, tossed up, driven back to the bowler
36.5
2
Herath to Ponting, 2 runs, fine paddle-sweep from Ponting, comes back for two
36.4
1
Herath to Clarke, 1 run, even at this stage, Malinga makes a diving save at backward-point to deny Australia three runs
36.3
0
Herath to Clarke, no run, another defensive shot towards midwicket

Australia 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st10BJ HaddinSR Watson
2nd94RT PontingSR Watson
3rd107RT PontingMJ Clarke