Sri Lanka vs Australia Ball by Ball Commentary

SIX! Aaron Finch finishes things off in style! Another shorter ball, outside off. Aaron Finch stays in his crease, opens the face of the bat once again, and upper cuts it over third man all the way for a biggie. Australia win by 10 wickets!

FOUR! Nicely done! Shorter ball, wide of off. Aaron Finch hangs back, opens the face of the bat and guides it towards third man for a boundary. Australia are just one away now!

On a length, around middle and leg. David Warner tucks it towards deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! Two in a row! Touch short now, on middle. Warner pulls it to deep backward sqaure leg. The fielder runs to his right and tries to flick it away but fails to do so. Another boundary. Just 6 needed now.

FOUR! On a length and on the hips. David Warner hangs back and helps it away to fine leg for a one-bounce four.

A length ball, on off. Warner taps it to covers. Finch wants a quick single but was sent back wisely by his partner.

Another single as this is eased down by Warner to long on. Just 14 needed now.

On middle, fuller and it is drilled down to long on for a single.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR FINCH! 17th half-century for him! Both the openers have been superb from the start! This is full and outside off. Finch opens the face of the bat and drives it over point for a boundary.

Wide! Thushara bangs a short one but again he errs in line, spills it down the leg side. Left alone for a wide.

Pitched up, on middle. Finch forces it to square leg where a bit of fumble allows a couple of runs.

Wide! A yorker-length delivery but was sliding down the leg side. Finch misses his flick and a wide is given.

Another single! This is full and on off. Warner hits it to deep cover for a run.

Full and slanting on the pads. Finch nudges it to deep square leg for a single.

Nuwan Thushara comes back to bowl.

Floats it full and outside off, it is driven to long off for a single.

A short ball, quicker and on the pads. Warner flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

We are ready to resume once again! The players are out in the middle. Maheesh Theekshana will continue.

UPDATE - 10:41 pm IST (5:11 pm GMT) - We have good news, folks! The covers are coming off and the play is all set to resume at 10:55 pm IST (5:25 pm GMT). No overs have been lost!

It is still raining in Colombo. If it continues to do so, Australia will be declared winners. Only if the play does not resume. The DLS par score is 65 for now, and the visitors are well ahead.

UPDATE  - 10.05 pm IST (4.35 pm GMT) - The rain has gotten heavier now and the covers are coming on! 28 runs needed in 50 balls. Australia are clearly well ahead in the game and on DLS as well. We wait for further updates. Stay tuned...

Wide! Short but way down the leg side. Left alone. Wide given.

Tossed up, full and on middle. Finch laps it to short fine leg for a single. 100 up for Australia. 29 needed off 50 balls.

Slightly short and on middle. Warner gets low and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. One more.

It has started to drizzle once again! The groundstaff are ready with the covers. But let's hope the rain stays away.

Around off, this is pushed to covers for a single.

Shorter and on middle, Warner turns it to deep square leg for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana (3-0-18-0) comes back into the attack.

DROPPED! Opportunity missed for Sri Lanka! This is full and on off. David Warner drives it on the up but hits it at a catching height to Pathum Nissanka at covers who tries to reverse-cup it but spills it out. A single.

Bangs a bouncer, on middle. Finch pulls it to deep square leg for one more.

On a length and on middle, at a slower side. Warner backs away and chops it to third man for a single.

Too full and on off. Finch makes room and steps down to ease it to long on for a single.

On middle, fuller, flicked through square leg for a single.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR WARNER! His 22nd half-century in T20Is! What a player! This is short but the line is down the leg side. Warner pulls it over short fine leg for a boundary. He raises his bat and soaks all the applause from his teammates.

Edged....and SAFE! Fuller ball, down the leg side. Aaron Finch looks to sweep this but the ball goes off the top edge towards fine leg. Nothing going right for Sri Lanka at the moment. Australia are 87 for 0 at the halfway mark.

Slower this time, fuller, around off. Aaron Finch drives it towards mid off.

Dushmantha Chameera continues with bowling the shorter ball, around middle. David Warner pushes it towards cover for a single.

Dushmantha Chameera drops it short again, around middle. Aaron Finch pulls it towards the fielder at long on. Single!

Back of a length, around middle. David Warner miscues his pull towards cover for a run.

Pitches it up, around middle. Aaron Finch drills it towards long on for a single.

Fuller now, quicker, around middle. Aaron Finch advances down the track and looks to go over cover, but the ball goes off the inside edge towards fine leg. Single to end the over!

Good-length delivery, around middle and leg, slower one as well. David Warner works it away towards deep square leg for a single.

Back of a length, around middle. Aaron Finch pulls this towards the fielder at deep mid-wicket. The fielder there collects the ball on the bounce. Single taken!

A length ball, tailing back in around middle. Aaron Finch hangs back and pushes it towards cover.

Another shorter ball, outside off, much quicker this time. Aaron Finch looks to pull this but he misses.

Chamika Karunaratne begins with a back-of-a-length delivery, around middle, at around 128 clicks. David Warner pulls it to the fielder at deep square leg. Single taken!

Change of pace now! An off pace delivery, outside off, on a length. Aaron Finch blocks it out.

Fuller now, around middle. David Warner miscues his drives towards long on for a single.

FOUR! Wonderful shot once again! Dushmantha Chameera hits the deck hard once again, around middle. David Warner leans back, and upper cuts it over the keeper's head for a boundary. A perfect ramp shot!

FOUR! Oh, shot! That was not a bad delivery. A well-directed shorter ball, around middle and off. David Warner gets low, takes his eyes off the ball but still manages to pull it towards deep square leg for a boundary.

Outside off, on a length. David Warner hangs back and cuts it towards the fielder at point.

Overthrow! A slower ball, on a length, around middle. Aaron Finch dabs it towards cover. David Warner leaves his crease, but he is sent back. There is a throw at the bowler's end but the ball misses the stumps and goes towards mid-wicket and take batters teal in a leg bye.

Dushmantha Chameera is back on. Went for 13 runs in his first over.

Fuller, around middle and off. David Warner defends it out.

Back of a length, around the off pole, a wrong'un again. Aaron Finch pushes it off the back foot towards cover for a single.

Swing and a miss this time! A googly, quicker through the air, full, outside off. Aaron Finch once again tries to sweep but he misses it this time.

SIX! KABOOM! A leg-break from Wanindu Hasaranga now, full again, outside off. Aaron Finch gets down on his knee and slog sweeps it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Tosses it up, fuller in length, outside off. Aaron Finch taps it towards point off the front foot.

Outside off, tad shorter. David Warner pushes it off the back foot towards mid-wicket and rotates the strike.

Quicker, flatter, outside off. Aaron Finch presses forward and defends it out. Another good over for Australia 13 runs off it. Australia are 59 for 0 at the end of the Powerplay!

Excellent running! Another half-tracker, outside off this time. David Warner hangs back and punches it off the back foot through cover. They complete two runs and come back the third run as well. There is a throw at the keeper's end, but Aaron Finch dives in to make his ground.

A run out appeal! The replay shows Aaron Finch was in with a big dive. Not out it is.

Maheesh Theekshana comes round the wicket now serves a fuller ball, outside off. This time David Warner reverse-sweeps it over point for a brace.

FOUR! Poor delivery and punished! Another shorter ball, around middle and leg. David Warner gets low and sweeps it once again towards deep square leg for another boundary in the over. It's all too easy for Australia at the moment.

Quicker, shorter, around off, David Warner stays in his crease and blocks it out solidly.

FOUR! Australia are in a hurry here! A shorter ball, darting it on the pads, David Warner gets down on his knee and sweeps it towards deep square leg for a boundary. that brings up the 50 for Australia!

SIX! The last ball makes it even worse for Wanindu Hasaranga and Sri Lanka! This is a low full toss on off. Aaron Finch heaves it over cow corner for a biggie. 19 off the over and Australia are off to a superb start.

FOUR! Third boundary of the over! Wanindu Hasaranga under pressure now! Short again, on off. Finch stays on the back foot and punches it through cover-point for a boundary.

This one spins back in, shorter and around off. Finch punches off the back foot to covers.

FOUR! Finch with the same intent as well! This is full and outside off. Finch drags it and hits it past mid-wicket and well wide of deep square leg for a boundary.

Length ball, on middle, it is flicked to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! David Warner taking on Sri Lanka's best bowler right away! Tossed up, on middle. Warner skips down and lofts it over mid on for a boundary. Statement from the Aussie opener.

Wanindu Hasaranga comes to bowl now.

SIX! That will make Finch feel good. Beautiful shot this! A length ball, around off. Finch stays back and hits it through the line and all the way over long off for a biggie. A good end to the over for the Aussie.

Length ball, swinging into the batter. Warner looks to defend but inner edges it to short fine leg for a single.

Too full and on leg. Warner turns it behind square on the leg side for a brace now.

Length ball, outside off. Finch looks to drive but gets a thick outside edge to third man for a single.

On middle, tucked to deep square leg for a single.

IN THE AIR AND SAFE! A length ball, on off. David Warner swings across but fails to middle it. The ball skies and goes over mid off. Wanindu Hasaranga runs behind and tries to take over his shoulders but fails to get next to the ball. Two runs.

Dushmantha Chameera comes into the attack.

A beauty to end the over! This one lands on off and spins away. Finch is on the front foot as he tries to defend but the ball spins away and beats the outside edge. Another superb over from Maheesh Theekshana.

A direct-hit and Warner was a goner! Shorter and on middle. Warner tucks it to square leg and calls for a single. Charith Asalanka has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Warner was well short of his crease but luck was on his side.

Full ball, on leg. Warner pushes it gently to long on, in the gap and comes back for the second run.

Flatter ball, around middle. Warner flicks it off the back foot to mid-wicket. Three dots then.

Tossed up, a bit quicker and on middle. Warner is happy to keep this out as he blocks it out.

Full and on the pads. Warner tries to sweep it but misses.

Length and on middle, at 118 clicks. David tucks it to deep square leg for a single.

Full and targeting the stumps. Warner defends it out solidly.

Full, width again but this time Warner hits it straight to the man at cover-point.

FOUR! Good shot! A length ball, outside off, width there. Warner cuts it hard and through backward point and the ball races away into the fence.

Full ball, hint of in-swing, outside off. Finch drives it through covers for a single.

Starts with a fuller ball, outside off. Warner leans and drives it through covers. The fielder gives a chase and cuts it out in a deep, saving a single. Three runs and Warner is away as well.

Nuwan Thushara will bowl from the other end.

A misfield and Australia are underway with it! Full and outside off. Finch drives it to backward point where Nuwan Thushara fumbles and allows a couple of runs. An eventful over comes to an end.

Tossed up, full and on off. Aaron drives it to point.

Length ball, outside off. Finch dabs it to backward point.

Not out! An appeal for LBW and up goes the finger. Aaron Finch takes the review as there is a big inside edge, confirms the UltraEdge as well. Sri Lanka almost thought they are off to a flier. Full, quicker and on middle. Finch looks to defend but the ball jags back in and it takes the inside edge before hitting the front pad.

Full ball, jagging back in around the pads. Finch misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. A half-hearted appeal follows...

Theekshana gets a bit of swing here! Too full and on off. Finch squeezes it out to covers.

OUT! That is the end of Sri Lanka's inning! A length ball, outside off. Maheesh Theekshana swings across and slices it high and over covers. David Warner runs to his right from mid off and takes a superb diving catch. He made it look so easy. Sri Lanka are all out on 128.

Dot again! Length ball, outside off. Maheesh Theekshana pushes it straight to point.

Length ball, on top of off. Maheesh Theekshana punches it to point.

Not out it is! Length ball, slanting around leg. Nuwan Thushara makes room and tries to fend it away but misses. A stifled appeal for a caught behind and not given. Australia take the review. UltraEdge shows nothing on it.

Full and on leg. Thushara wrists it straight to the man at mid-wicket.

Fuller ball, outside off. Nuwan works it to covers.

Nuwan Thushara comes to the crease.

OUT! TAKEN! Another simple catch and another wicket for Starc! Full ball, angling across. Hasaranga tries to play with the angle but miscues it completely. The ball lobs to point where Aaron Finch backtracks and takes a dolly.

Angles it one on the pads, nudged to square leg for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! A low full toss, around off. Chameera tries to go over mid off but cue ends his shot and hits it to mid off where David Warner takes an easy catch. Starc would love to take the remaining wickets now.

Mitchell Starc comes to bowl his final over.

Fuller, slower and on middle. Dushmantha Chameera miscues his drive and spoons it to the vacant mid on region for a single.

Outside off. Hasaranga guides it to third man for a single.

Hits the hard length, on off. Hasaranga gets on top of it and blocks it out.

FOUR! Crucial runs for the Lankans! Overpitched and outside off. Hasaranga drives it through covers for a boundary.

Length ball, outside off. Hasaranga looks to slash at it but misses.

Shorter and around middle. Hasaranga pulls it behind square on the leg side for a brace.

Josh Hazlewood (3-0-8-4) is back on!

Kane rolls his fingers on it, length and on leg. Dushmantha Chameera looks to work it away but gets hit on the pads. Australia will look to make sure they do not let the tail wag now.

Too full now, on off. Chameera digs it out back to the bowler.

A slower full ball, tailing on the pads. Chameera misses his flick and gets hit on the pads.

Shorter and on middle. Hasaranga works it to wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Length and outside off. Hasaranga strokes it to backward point.

OUT! RUN OUT! Another excellent display of fielding from Australia! A length ball, slanting on off. Chamika Karunaratne turns it to mid-wicket and hurls across for a quick single. Smith there, with a beautiful piece of fielding. He collects the ball with one hand and throws it at the bowler's end and hits bulls eye. The ball was rolling on the other side to the end, to the fence but Smith was pretty confident with his fielding. The replay shows Chamika Karunaratne was out by a fine margin. Out it is. Dushmantha Chameera walks out to bat now.

Run out chance! There is a direct hit at the bowler's end. The replay shows that Chamika Karunaratne is short of his ground. He has to walk back!

We are ready to resume after that short delay. The players have made their way out in the middle. Kane Richardson comes to bowl.

UPDATE - 8.26 pm (2.56 pm GMT) - Oh, dear! It has started to drizzle and the covers are coming on. But hang on, it looks like it was just a passing shower and the covers are already coming off.

Slower short ball, on off. Chamika Karunaratne pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Length and on off. Hasaranga drops it to point for one.

Chamika Karunaratne walks out to bat.

OUT! Charith Asalanka is RUN OUT! This was a very wrong move knowing Asalanka was the only known batter out there. It was not needed at the moment. A length ball, slower and outside off. Charith Asalanka swings across and misses. Wade fumbles to collect and the batters try to take advantage of it as they run across for a quick single. Wade collects and throws it to Marsh who clips the bails off in a flash. It is taken upstairs and Asalanka was well short.

Fuller and on middle. Hasaranga tucks it to deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Much needed one! First one in 22 balls! A length ball, outside off. Hasaranga opens the face of the bat and steers it past backward point for a boundary.

Bangs a bouncer and on middle. Hasaranga tries to play it over the keeper but fails to connect.

Mitchell Marsh is back on.

Tosses it up, tad quicker, around off. Wanindu Hasaranga drives it down to long off for a single.

Lovely shot! Fuller one, outside off. Charith Asalanka waits for it, opens the face of the bat, and guides it down to third ma. Three taken!

Loopy ball, outside off, full in length. Wanindu Hasaranga drives it firmly towards the fielder at cover for a single. The fielder there dives to his right and makes a good stop.

Tad fuller again, around off. Charith Asalanka backs away and tries to push this on the off side, but the ball goes off the under-edge to third man.

Tosses it up, fuller, around off. Wanindu Hasaranga pushes it off the front foot towards long off for a single. A single.

Back of a length, around middle. Charith Asalanka knocks it down to long on for a single.

Wanindu Hasaranga comes in.

OUT! LBW! Another one bites the dust! Sri Lanka are falling apart here! What an over this is turning out to be from Josh Hazlewood! His third wicket in this over and fourth overall. Another top delivery from him A length ball, nipping back in, around middle and leg. Dasun Shanaka shuffles across and tries to flick this but he misses and gets rapped on his pads. A huge appeal for LBW and the umpire raises his finger.  Dasun Shanaka ops for a review. No bat involved, confirms UltraEdge. Ball Tracking indicates three reds. Dasun Shanaka has to walk back!

Shortish ball, around middle. Dasun Shanaka works it away towards mid-wicket. No run there!

Dasun Shanaka walks out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Bhanuka Rajapaksa departs for a golden duck! Josh Hazlewood grabs his third wicket and Sri Lanka have lost their fourth. The hosts are in a spot of bother now. Slower ball, outside off, on a length. Bhanuka Rajapaksa tries to guide this towards third man but he manages to get a slight outside edge back to the keeper. Matthew Wade behind the stumps makes no mistake. They appeal and up goes the finger. The crowd was pumped for Bhanuka but no entertainment this time from him. Australia on top!

Back of a length, around middle. Charith Asalanka miscues his pull shot towards mid off. A quick single taken!

Swing and a miss! On a length, shaping away, outside off. Charith Asalanka hangs back and tries to cut this way but he misses.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Josh Hazlewood comes back into the attack and strikes straightaway. Wickets in quick succession for Australia and Sri Lanka are now 3 down. Josh Hazlewood drops it short, around middle. Kusal Mendis back away, and looks to pull this but the ball goes off his top edge and lobs up towards mid off. Ashton Agar runs forward and takes an easy catch.

Josh Hazlewood (2-0-7-1) is back on.

Slower through the air, full, around middle. Charith Asalanka presses forward and taps it towards mid-wicket. Lovely over from Ashton Agar, just 2 runs off it.

Spinning away, outside off, short in length. Kusal Mendis pushes off the back foot through cover for a single.

Make that three! Fullish ball, around middle and leg. Kusal Mendis blocks it out.

Quicker, flatter, darting it on the pads. Kusal Mendis blocks it out. Two dots in a row now.

Outside off, pitches it up again. Kusal Mendis hangs back and dabs it towards short third man.

Tosses it up, fuller, around middle. Charith Asalanka sweeps it towards deep square leg for a single.

Kusal Mendis comes in.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Mitchell Starc has the last laugh! He gets rid of Pathum Nissanka now and Sri Lanka have lost their second wicket. Wicket at a good time for Australia once again. A slower ball on this occasion, yorker-length delivery, on the off pole. Pathum Nissanka tries to play across the line and sweep this one the leg side but he misses. The ball goes on to hit the off pole.

Pitches it up again, outside off. Pathum Nissanka walks across and tries to scoop this but he misses.

FOUR! Top shot! On a length, around middle. Pathum Nissanka makes room and heaves it towards deep mid-wicket. The ball goes one bounce over the ropes for a boundary.

FIVE WIDES! Bonus runs for Sri Lanka! Mitchell Starc hits the deck hard, too short on this occasion, around middle. Pathum Nissanka looks to pull but he misses. Matthew Wade jumps and fails to catch the ball as well. Boundary!

A fuller ball from over the wicket, outside off. Pathum Nissanka shuffles across and tries to sweep this but he misses and gets rapped on his pads.

Pathum Nissanka takes the aerial route this time! An overpitched delivery, outside off. Pathum Nissanka lifts it over extra-cover. The ball will not race away to the boundary but the batters pick up two runs.

On a length, around middle. Charith Asalanka looks to pull this but the ball goes off the inner half of his bat towards deep square leg. Single taken!

Tad quicker, this one comes in with the arm, around middle and leg. Pathum Nissanka steps down the track and tries to flick this away but he misses and gets hit on his pad. A stifled appeal for LBW, but the umpire says no. That was probably sliding down leg.

SIX! BOOM! Lovely shot! A loopy one, spinning away a tad, outside off. Pathum Nissanka gets down on his knee and slog-sweeps this over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Tad quicker, outside off, fuller ball. Charith Asalanka presses forward and pushes it towards cover for a single.

Loopy ball, full, around middle and off. Pathum Nissanka drills it towards long off and takes a single.

Full again, around off. Charith Asalanka shimmies down the pitch and sweeps it straight to the fielder at long on. Single taken!

Slower through the air, tosses it up, very full, around off. Charith Asalanka pushes it to the left of the bowler. Ashton Agar dives to his left and does well to stop the ball.

Full and outside off, Asalanka hits it to deep cover for a run.

DROPPED! Steven Smith is the culprit! This is full and around off. Nissanka heaves and tries to clear the longer side of the ground, to deep mid-wicket. Steven Smith runs to his right and collects it but fumbles it as he meets the ground. The ball rolls back but Smith does well to flick it away. A single.

Length ball, just outside off. Nissanka tries to go inside-out but mistimes it and hits it to mid off where the fielder collects it on a boundary.

Outside off, dabbed to short third man for a single.

FOUR! Streaky! Hits the hard length, outside off. Asalanka looks to cut but gets outside edge again. This time Wade tries to collect but the ball evades him and runs away to the third man fence. Two in a row now! Just what the host wanted.

FOUR! Welcome boundary! A length ball, angling outside off. Asalanka looks to drive on the up but gets a thick outside edge to deep backward point. Josh Hazlewood runs across from deep point and tumbles to keep the ball away. He gets a hand on it but the ball hits him on the back and deflects over the ropes. Good effort but a boundary.

Kane Richardson (1-0-10-0) comes back into the attack.

Full and down the leg side. Asalanka sweeps it behind square on the leg side for a single.

Around off. Pathum Nissanka skips down and tucks it to long on for a single.

Australia lose the review! Another swing and a miss from Pathum Nissanka. Fraction short and outside off. Pathum Nissanka tries to reverse-hit again but misses. Wade puts in an appeal and Maxwell joins him but nothing from the umpire. Australia take the review! Aaron Finch was not fully convinced but they eventually take it. UltraEdge shows no bat there. Flat line and Pathum Nissanka survives.

Around off, tossed up, swept to deep square leg for a couple.

Short again, quicker this time, outside off. Pathum Nissanka tries to reverse-hit but misses.

Shorter and outside off, spinning in. Pathum Nissanka waits on the back foot and dabs it past short third man for a brace. Deft touch.

Glenn Maxwell comes back to bowl.

Fuller and angling on off. Pathum Nissanka makes room and looks to go over covers but splices it to third man for a single. Decent few overs from Australia. Boundaries have dried up a bit.

Around off, pushed through point for one more.

A direct hit and Charith Asalanka was in real trouble! Might have been walking straight back to the pavilion. Length ball, on off. Nissanka knocks it in front of covers and scampers across for a quick single. Ashton Agar collects and whips a throw at the keeper's end but misses. Asalanka puts in a dive but luckily Agar misses his shot.

Too full and around middle. Asalanka whips it in front of square on the leg side for one.

Pitched up, outside off. Asalanka leans and drives it through covers for a brace.

Fuller and slanting around leg. Asalanka hits it to mid-wicket.

Mitchell Starc comes into the attack. He went for 7 runs in his first over.

Another single to end the over! Decent start by Agar! Tossed up, on off. Asalanka works to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Darted on the pads, clipped to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Floated on middle, touch fuller, it is flicked to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up, on off. Charith Asalanka shuffles across and hits it back to Agar.

On middle, eased down to long on for a single.

Short and outside off, cut away wide of deep point for a couple of runs.

Ashton Agar comes into the attack.

Dot to end the over but a successful Powerplay for Sri Lanka as they are at 50 for 1! Length and around middle. Charith Asalanka keeps it out on the off side.

Length and outside off. Asalanka drops it to point. No run there.

FOUR! Good shot! Short of a length, on middle. Asalanka is a touch early on his pull shot but hits it to the vacant deep backward square region and bags a boundary. 50 up for Sri Lanka...

Length ball, around off. Asalanka taps it to the right of the bowler.

SIX! BOOM! High and handsome! Fuller and in the slot, on middle. Asalanka swung across earlier but failed to connect but this time connects it beautifully and dispatches it high over mid-wicket for a biggie.

On a length and around middle. Asalanka defends it right under his eyes.

Kane Richardson to bowl now.

Back of a length, outside off. Charith Asalanka dabs it through backward point and takes a single. He retains the strike. End of a successful over from Josh Hazlewood!

Fullish ball, outside off. Charith Asalanka prods forward and blocks it out watchfully.

Swing and a miss! Another length delivery, shaping away outside off. Charith Asalanka backs away and looks to pull this but fails to get any connection on that.

Beaten! On a length, swinging away, outside off. Charith Asalanka stays in his crease and looks to block this but he gets beaten on the outside edge.

Charith Asalanka is the new batter in.

OUT! TAKEN! Josh Hazlewood strikes and draws first blood! Much-needed wicket for Australia as Danushka Gunathilaka was looking dangerous! Josh Hazlewood drops it short this time, around off, shaping away just a tad. Danushka Gunathilaka makes room and slashes it towards deep point. The ball flies high and goes straight to Mitchell Marsh who pouches it safely. A good start from Danushka Gunathilaka but he fails to go on.

FOUR! WOW! He has made that look so easy! On a length, around middle and off. Danushka Gunathilaka shuffles across, gets down on his knee and scoops it towards fine leg for a boundary.

Josh Hazlewood is back on.

Back of a length, around middle. Danushka Gunathilaka punches it off the back foot towards mid off and scapers across to the other end for a quick single. There was a throw at the keeper's end, but Pathum Nissanka dives in to make his ground.

Slower through the air, on middle, fuller in length. Pathum Nissanka sweeps this towards deep square leg. Single taken!

Shorter this time, around middle, spinning away a tad. Danushka Gunathilaka makes room and pushes it off the back foot towards long off for a single.

FOUR! Danushka Gunathilaka is on the charge! A fuller one, around middle. Danushka Gunathilaka gets down on his knee and sweeps it over square leg for another boundary in the over.

Another loopy one, fuller, around middle. Pathum Nissanka flicks it towards square leg for a single.

FOUR! Pathum Nissanka greets Glenn Maxwell with a boundary! A loopy ball, fuller, around middle. Pathum Nissanka dances down the track and smashes it over mid on for a boundary.

Change in bowling! Glenn Maxwell is into the attack.

Change of pace this time! A length ball, around off. Danushka Gunathilaka pushes it off the back past cover for a brace. Good over for Sri Lanka 14 runs from it.

SIX! Bang! On a length again, around middle. Danushka Gunathilaka shuffles across and scoops it over the keeper's head all the way for a biggie.

FOUR! First boundary of the innings! A length ball, around middle and off. Danushka Gunathilaka makes room and tonks it over the fielder at mid off for a boundary.

A length ball, around middle. Pathum Nissanka drags it with the inner half of his bat towards deep square leg. Single taken!

Another length ball, nipping in, around middle. Danushka Gunathilaka looks to heave this but the ball goes off his inside edge back onto the pads and rolls towards the off side. The batters leave their crease for a quick single, Mitchell Marsh runs forward and kicks the ball onto the stumps at the keeper's end but Pathum Nissanka was well in.

Swing and a miss! Mitchell Marsh begins with a length from over the wicket, outside off. Danushka Gunathilaka backs away and swings his bat but he fails to get any connection on it.

Mitchell Marsh is into the attack. It looks like Mitchell Starc is still struggling or this might be a tactical change as well. Time will tell...

Back of a length, some width on offer this time. Pathum Nissanka hangs back and cuts it towards the fielder at point. Tidy start from Josh Hazlewood, just two runs off it.

Quick single! Around off, length delivery. Danushka Gunathilaka taps it towards cover and runs across to the other end.

Josh Hazlewood maintains the same length, on the pads this time. Danushka Gunathilaka looks to pull this but he misses and gets hit on his thigh pad.

On a length, around middle and off. Danushka Gunathilaka makes room and pushes it to the fielder at mid off. Some intent shown here by Danushka Gunathilaka this time!

Another length delivery, outside off. Pathum Nissanka dabs it towards point and scampers across to the other end.

Josh Hazlewood comes over the wicket, serves a length ball, around off, at 132 clicks. Pathum Nissanka defends it out off the back foot.

Good-length delivery, around the off pole, at 141 clicks. Danushka Gunathilaka blocks it out solidly. 7 runs off the first over!

Who will bowl from the other end? It is Josh Hazlewood. One slip in place.

Halt in play... Mitchell Starc has some issues with a finger. The physio is out and it is his bowling hand as well. So, it will need some assistance.

Wide! Down the leg side, pitches it up again. Danushka Gunathilaka looks to flick this but he misses it this time. Wide given.

Runs straightaway for Danushka Gunathilaka! Mitchell Starc serves this one the pads, on a fullish length. Danushka Gunathilaka flicks it towards deep square leg for a brace.

Outside off, fuller ball again. Pathum Nissanka presses forward and drives it past the fielder at mid off. Three taken. Pathum Nissanka gets off the mark with that!

Tad fuller, around off. Pathum Nissanka pushes it back to the bowler.

An appeal for LBW, but the umpire says no! A length ball, tailing back in, around middle and off, at around 141 clicks. Pathum Nissanka leans forward and looks to defend this but he manages to get a big inside edge back onto his pads.

Another full-length delivery, outside off. Pathum Nissanka opens the face of the bat and taps it towards the fielder at cover-point.

Wide! Mitchell Starc begins with a fuller ball, wide of off, shaping away. Pathum Nissanka leaves it alone. Wide called! Sri Lanka are up and running!

We are all set for the action. The players of Australia are out in the middle. Pathum Nissanka and Danushka Gunathilaka are the openers of Sri Lanka. Mitchell Starc is all set to steam in with a fresh new ball.

Both the teams line up for their respective national anthems. It is Australia's first followed by Sri Lanka's. The players also remember the passing away of late Aussie great - Andrew Symonds.

Dasun Shanaka, the skipper of Sri Lanka says the boys have grown up in confidence after playing some franchise cricket. Adds that he is happy to bat first, looks like a good wicket.

Aaron Finch, the skipper of Australia says they are going to bowl first, looks like a good surface and they will want to chase. Mentions that Glenn Maxwell is much better than a part-time spinner, he can be aggressive but yes, they are going with one frontline spinner and backing Maxwell.

PITCH REPORT - Russel Arnold is down near the pitch. He says it's a belter of a pitch. Adds that it's an even pitch, but on the dry side. Little cracks on it, but there will be good bounce and carry. All the players will have a smile on their faces. Mentions that the toss will not matter much, also there is no dew expected.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara.

Australia (Playing XI) - Aaron Finch (C), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (WK), Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood.

TOSS - Australia have won the toss and they will BOWL first!

The weather in Colombo seems cloudy and there is a possibility of rain as well. But let’s hope we face no interruptions and we get to witness a full game. We have an exciting battle to look forward to. Stay tuned for the toss and other updates.

Talking about a lethal bowling attack, Sri Lanka's main strength is their bowling unit. Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dushmantha Chameera form the core of their attack and they prove to be a real threat to the opposition. However, it’s their batting that needs to step up. They have added Bhanuka Rajapaksa to their playing XI and looking at his recent form he could prove to be a boon for them.

Both these sides have already named their playing XI. Australia’s big guns, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, and Glenn Maxwell, who had missed the previous T20I against Pakistan, have returned to the side. They all did well in the recently concluded Indian T20 League and will be looking to replicate the same in this game as well. However, the likes of Aaron Finch and Steven Smith will have to prove their worth in the shortest format and display their magic. They will be missing the services of Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa, but they still do have a lethal bowling attack.

Hello and a warm welcome folks! It’s time for the first T20I of this three-match T20I series between Sri Lanka and Australia at the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The last time these two sides met Australia put on a dominant performance and won the series 4-1. Sri Lanka did put on a great show but failed to get over the line. However, things are different now and they will be hoping to roar in their own den and come out on top this time. Both teams are filled with power-packed players and we can expect nothing less than a cracker of a contest.

... MATCH DAY ...