Story Australia's 2010-11 Summer [3rd Test, Day 1, Tea]

[Aditya]

You're putting some excellent efforts into this story. Keeping in mind, that this is your first story, you have run this really well so far. You might wanna add some real life pics to improve the presentation as there are no in game screenshots at the moment, just videos but this depends on you. Everyone has a different style of presentation and the presentation at the moment is good.

 

[timchrist984]

Thanks for the feedback! I am playing on PS3 so in game screen-shots are difficult. I would have to take them with a camera and they would probably look really messy. Maybe real-life pics are the way to go. I might try them in my next match.

 

[timchrist984]

2nd ODI, Sydney: Australia v Sri Lanka (5, November 2010)​

Hello and welcome to the SCG for what is shaping up to be an exciting one-dayer between Australia and Sri Lanka.

Australia go in to the game with a 1-0 series lead and will be favourites to win. The last match in Melbourne may look like a comprehensive win on paper, but the truth is, neither side could really apply themselves and build an innings. Australia was lucky that after their top-order failed, Mitchell Johnson played a steady, stabilizing innings to make the Aussie total look respectable.

'Johnson steadied the ship with an unbeaten 68'​

The Sri Lankan top-order also failed and they didn't have anyone left to steady the ship. The Sri Lankans will be pleased with the bowling of Muralitharan and Kulasekara who did the damage early and got Australia on the back foot.

In the past 2 days both teams will have had plenty to think about. They will be hoping that the pitch isn't as lively as the Melbourne wicket and it is easier for batsmen to get in. Australia will be wanting to bounce back from their series loss to India and get some momentum going before the Ashes. Sri Lanka will be hungry to win and stay alive in the 3 match series.

The squads have been released and Australia have swung a few changes. The skipper, Ricky Ponting, who didn't play in Melbourne, comes back in to the Australian side and replaces Marsh. Off-spinner, Nathan Hauritz comes in to replace young Xavier Doherty and John Hastings is replaced by his Victorian team-mate, Clint McKay. Sri Lanka have named an unchanged side, with only a few changes in the batting order.

Australia​

Watson
Haddin
Ponting
Clarke
White
Hussey
Smith
Johnson
Hauritz
McKay
Siddle

Sri Lanka
Tharanga
Dilshan
Jayawardene
Sangakkara
Samaraweera
Matthews
Perera
Randiv
Kulasekara
Muralitharan
Malinga​

Australia's changes indicate they are trialling different combinations of players for the Ashes. Sri Lanka have promoted Jaywardene to first drop and have moved Murali from 11th to 10th after his fiery display in Melbourne.

Toss:​

So, Ponting has won the toss and elected to bat. The Aussies will be aiming to get off to a steady start and not lose a wicket inside the first 10 overs. Sri Lanka will aim to start the way they did in Melbourne and do the damage with the new ball.

Haddin and Watson will be making their way out to the middle soon, so stay tuned for more action from the Sydney Cricket Ground.

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I have used my internet allowance and it has been slowed to half speed. That's why the video is taking ages to upload to youtube. I will add it to the post when it is uploaded. My internet will reset and return to normal speed in 4 days (the 19th).

 

[timchrist984]

Australia Off To A Flyer​

Australia have got off to an explosive start courtesy of some aggressive batting from Haddin and Watson. After 5 overs they are travelling at nearly 8 an over. Watson is on 22 from 16 and Haddin is on 17 from 14. The Aussie openers are not just slogging, they are playing quality cricket shots and stroking the ball to the boundary. There have been 5 boundaries so far and most have come from hook shots or cover drives, played along the ground. The Aussies would have there eye on a 300+ score after their good start, especially as this Sydney track looks to be a belter.

It was Lasith Malinga who started proceedings by bowling the first over from the Randwick End. He bowled a half volley length and Haddin took full toll. After defending the first 3 balls of the over, he punched the 4th through the leg side and picked up 2. The next ball he played the same shot for the same result, 2 runs. On the final ball of the over Malinga banged one in short and Haddin hooked him through deep backward square for 4. Malinga conceded 8 runs from the over.

Nuwan Kulasekara, the man who demolished the Australian top-order in Melbourne opened from the Randwick End. He over pitched too often and Watson, who is downright dangerous off the front foot, punished him. Watson just guided the the first ball of the over behind point for 2 runs. Kulasekara's next 2 balls were a full tosses, but Watson couldn't get them away. On the 4th ball of the over Kulasekara bowled another full toss but this time Watson drove him through the leg side for 2. The 5th ball of the over was slightly shorter and Watson drove it away through the off-side and the batsmen hurried through for 3. The final ball of the over was a half-volley outside off stump and Haddin played an excellent cover drive and it ran away for 4.

Malinga's next over was far better than his first. He bowled aggressively and troubled the Aussies as they weren't as confident off the back foot as they were off the front foot. Watson pushed the first ball of the over on to the off side and took a single. Haddin defended the next ball then left the 3rd ball of the over alone as it was very wide outside off stump. The 5th ball of the over was a nasty riser that struck Haddin on the chest. He gave it a bit of a rub and continued batting. Malinga bowled another bouncer the next ball and it hit the grill of Haddin's helmet. Malinga conceded just one run from the over.

Kulasekara didn't correct his length in his next over and the batsmen dispatched him with ease. The first ball of the over was a gentle half-volley on leg stump and Watson drove it through the leg side for 4. The next ball was over pitched out side off stump and Watson played a glorious cover drive and the ball raced a away for 4. Watson defended the next 3 balls then hooked the the 5th ball of the over through the leg side for a single. The final ball of the over was short and Haddin hooked it away for 4. The over went for 13 runs.

Malinga started his next over with a yorker and Watson defended it back down the pitch. His next ball was a slow full toss and Watson pushed it away on to leg side for 2. Watson defended the 3rd ball of the over, then pushed the fourth on to the leg side for another 2. The 5th ball of the over was a half volley outside off stump and Watson pushed it through the covers for a single. Haddin then dabbed the final ball of the over on to the off side and the batsmen jogged through for a run.

So, Australia are off to a great start, but the can't get carried away and start slogging. They have played brilliantly and haven't given any chances so far. If they can continue to play how they have played Sri Lanka will face a big run chase. Sri Lanka needs to pitch the ball in the right areas as they have been bowling either too full or too short.

Overs 1 to 5 Highlights:

Australia 0/39 5.0 overs
Haddin Not Out 17
Watson Not Out 22

7.80 RPO

Sri Lanka
Malinga (3-0-15-0) 5.00 RPO
Kulasekara (2-0-24-0) 12.00 RPO

 

[Aditya]

Good try at including some real life pics. If you have adobe photoshop you can resize them.

 

[timchrist984]

I don't have Photoshop so I tried resizing in Paint. I think it worked ok. The photo was already fairly grainy when I downloaded it from cricinfo.

 

[timchrist984]

Shane Watson Show Gets On The Road​

Australia have raced to to 0/95 off 10 overs due to some wonderful shots from Shane Watson. 'Watto' has made 59 off only 37 deliveries. He has struck 7 boundaries and one 6. At the other end Haddin is also scoring quickly and is on 33 from 26. Australia are in a commanding position and Sri Lanka need to break the opening partnership soon or it will be a long day in the field.

It was Nuwan Kulasekara who bowled the 6th over. He still hadn't found his feet and gifted the batsmen with some very ordinary bowling. The first ball of the over was an awful half-volley that Haddin drove to the boundary for 4. The next ball was in the slot again, Haddin struck it well but straight in to the hands of the short mid off fielder who dropped a difficult chance. Watson quickly called Haddin through for a single once he realised the catch had been put down. The 3rd ball of the over was way over pitched and Watson fluently drove it to the boundary. The next ball Kulasekara over corrected and bowled too short. Watson rocked on to the back foot and hooked through mid-wicket for 4. Watson defended the next ball, then smashed the final ball of the over for 6. Kulasekara hung his head in shame as he took his cap from the umpire. He had conceded 19 runs from the over.

Malinga's next over was also ordinary but looked economical compared to Kulasekara. Haddin punched the first ball of the over through the leg side for a single to put the danger-man, Shane Watson, on strike. Watson left the 2nd ball of the over alone, then defended the 3rd. On the 4th ball of the over he lent back and cut Malinga behind square for 2. The next ball he played the same shot for exactly the same result. The 6th ball of the over was a no-ball and Watson calmly defended it. Watson then tried to slog the free-hit through the off side, but only managed to get an edge. The ball ran away to third man and the batsmen jogged through for a single. Malinga conceded 7 from the over.

Kumar Sangakkara made a brave call by giving the 8th over to Kulasekara. His last over was absolutely disgraceful and he didn't look like taking a wicket. Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, his next over was almost as bad. On the first ball of the over Watson played a textbook cover-drive and the ball raced away for 4. Watson defended the next ball, then drove the third ball of the over through the off side for 2. The 4th ball of the over was wide outside off stump and Watson smashed it through the off side for 4 to bring up his fifty. The crowd applauded loudly as he rose his bat. He had played some brilliant shots and there wasn't a person in the ground that didn't want him to complete his century. Watson then defended the final 2 balls of the over. Kulasekara had conceded 10 runs from the over.

Thisara Perera was then introduced in to the attack to stem the flow of runs. This didn't eventuate. Perera's first ball was a no-ball and Haddin lofted the free-hit that followed through the leg side for 4. Perera's next ball was a low full toss and Haddin dabbed it on to the leg side for a single. The 4th ball of the over was also a full toss and Watson whipped away on to the leg side for 2. The 5th ball of the over was driven away on to the leg side by Watson for a single. Haddin then lofted the 6th ball of the over through the leg side for 2. Haddin pulled the final ball of the over through the leg side for another 2 runs. Perera's over cost 13 runs.

Kulasekara was then replaced by Angelo Matthews. Matthews pitched the ball in the right areas and bowled the first ok over of the innings. After defending the first ball of the over, Watson drove the 2nd through the leg side for a single. Haddin defended the 3rd ball, then was completely beaten outside the off stump the next ball. The 5th ball of the over found the edge, but it was a no-ball. The next ball of the over was a free hit, Haddin tried to slog and got a bottom edge. The ball ran away to fine leg and the batsmen ran a single. The final ball of the over was driven through the off-side, by Watson, for 4. The over cost 7 runs, but Matthews bowled better than what the scoreboard showed.

So, Australia are completely on top. Watson is flaying the bowling all over the park and none of the Sri Lankan bowlers look to be a genuine chance of a wicket. The only good news for Sri Lanka is the pitch. It looks hard and fast, a real batsmen's pitch. They will feel that they are in with a chance no matter how huge the final Australia total may look.

Shane Watson 50 Highlights:

'Watson Plays A Powerful Cover-Drive'​

Australia 0/95 10.0 overs
Haddin Not Out 33
Watson Not Out 59

Extra: 3nb
9.50 RPO

Sri Lanka
Malinga (4-0-22-0) 1nb 5.50 RPO
Kulasekara (4-0-53-0) 13.25 RPO
Perera (1-0-13-0) 1nb 13.00 RPO
Matthews (1-0-7-0) 1nb 7.00 RPO

 

[timchrist984]

Aussies Keep Up The Pace​

After 15 overs the Aussies still have a phenomenal run rate of 9.80 RPO. They are on track for a record score. Watson and Haddin are both striking the ball cleanly and are looking comfortable at the crease. Watson is on 90 off 56 balls and Haddin is on 49 from 42 balls. The Aussies are absolutely dominating here at the SCG.

It was Thisara Perera who bowled the 11th over. He bowled well, but the Aussie batsmen were in such sizzling form that he couldn't get a wicket. His first ball of the over was pitched on a good length and Haddin went to slog it. He hit it well, but not quite well enough. The ball sailed up in the air and the deep cover fielder dropped a difficult catch, running back with the flight of the ball. The batsmen ran 2. Haddin defended the next 4 balls, then pushed the final ball of the over in to the gap on the leg side for a single. Perera conceded 3 from the over.

Angelo Matthews continued to bowl from the other end. He strayed down leg side too often and got punished. Haddin drove the first ball of the over through the leg side for a magnificent four. He pushed the next ball on to the leg side and rushed through for a risky single. He had to hurry, but made his ground comfortably in the end. The 3rd ball of the over was a half-volley on leg stump and Watson whipped it away on to the leg side for 2. Matthews' next ball was a no-ball and Watson pulled him away on to the leg side for another 2. Watson then lofted the free-hit over the fielder on the off side and picked up yet another 2. The 6th ball of the over was a horrible ball, over pitched, outside leg stump and Watson flicked it off his pads. It ran away behind square for 4. Watson was truly on fire. The next ball was in the slot again and Watson played a powerful on-drive. The ball raced away for 4.

Perera continued his spell from the other end and bowled a fraction too short. The first ball of the over was pushed on to the off side by Haddin and the batsmen jogged through for a single. The next ball was a no-ball and Watson defended it with ease. The third ball of the over was a free-hit and Perera over stepped again. Watson lofted the ball on to the off side and ran 2. The next ball was another free-hit and Watson hooked the it through the leg side for 4. The 6th ball of the over was short and Watson guided it through the off side for a single. Haddin then pushed the 7th ball of the over on to the leg side and picked up a single. The next ball of the over was an absolute peach. It pitched outside off and swung back late, caught the inside edge of Watson and hit middle stump. Perera left in to the air, celebrating. He then turned around and saw the umpire's arm outstretched, indicating he had bowled another no-ball. He was absolutely furious with himself. The next ball was a free-hit and Perera beat the outside edge of Watson and missed off stump by millimetres. The final ball of the over was short and Watson cut Perera in front of point for a single. Perera's disastrous over finally came to an end.

Angelo Matthews then bowled the 14th over. He found the outside edge of Watson with the first ball of the over, however it trickled away, along the ground to gully. The next ball was full on leg stump and Watson drove it away for 4. Watson then pushed the 3rd ball of the over on to the off side for a single. Haddin defended the 4th ball of the over, then pushed a single on to the off side on the 5th. The final ball of the over was full and Watson drove it on to the off side for a single.

Thisara Perera was given the ball for the 15th over. This was rather surprising as his last over was absolutely disastrous. Shane Watson punched the first ball of the over on to the off-side for a single. Haddin hooked the next ball straight to the fielder in the deep and only managed 1. The 3rd ball of the over was a no-ball and Watson pushed it in to the covers for a single. Haddin tried to smash the free-hit that followed and got a thick edge, the ball flew over slip and Haddin took a run. Watson then nudged the 5th ball of the over in to the covers for another single. The 6th ball of the over was full and Haddin drove it through the on-side for 2. The final ball of the over was also full and Haddin dabbed it away on to the off side and picked up a single.

So, the Sri Lankans have lost their liveliness in the field and are getting frustrated as the Australian opening stand is just growing and growing. They will have to keep their cool and concentrate on bowling in the right areas. The Sri Lankan pace attack is being dispatched to all corners of the ground, so it might be time for the spinners to be introduced in to the attack.

Overs 11-15 Highlights:​

'Watson Is Bowled Off A No-Ball'​

Australia 0/147 15.0 overs
Haddin Not Out 49
Watson Not Out 90

Extra: 8nb
9.80 RPO

 

[Aditya]

I'm really liking the consistency of the updates, they are quick but they are quality updates. The real life pics look a bit too large, resize them to 400X500 or 300X400, they will look much better. Apart from this, keep up the good work.

 

[timchrist984]

Watson Completes A Superb Hundred​

Shane Watson has completed his century here at the SCG and is on 109 off 70 balls. He has struck 14 fours and one six. Australia are just piling on the runs and Sri Lanka will have a massive run chase ahead of them. If Australia keep up their run rate of 9.15 RPO and don't go all out, they will score 458 runs off their 50 overs. They are currently on 0/183 from 20 overs.

It was Angelo Matthews who bowled the 16th over. His line and length was all over the place and the batsmen took advantage of this. Haddin drove the first ball of the over through the leg side for 4, to bring up his 50. The crowd applauded loudly, but not as loudly as they had for Watson's 50. Haddin then dabbed the next ball on to the leg side and took a single. The 3rd ball of the over was wide, outside off stump and Watson lofted it over the off side for 4. The 4th ball of the over was short and Watson pulled it through the leg side for 2. The next ball was short again and Watson pulled it through mid-wicket for 4. This brought up Watson's century. He got a standing ovation from the Australian crowd as he saluted them. Watson had played a magnificent innings and the crowd had thoroughly enjoyed it. Matthews conceded 15 runs from the over.

Sri Lanka was in all sorts of trouble and Sangakkara had to try something different. He decided to bring Muttiah Muralitharan on to bowl the 17th over. Murali bowled a tight line and length. The first ball of the over was full and Haddin pushed it on to the off side and jogged through for a single. Watson then dabbed the next ball behind point for another run. The 3rd ball of the over wide and Haddin left it alone. The final 3 balls of the over were bang on target and Haddin defended them. Murali conceded only 2 runs from the over.

Nuwan Kulasekara then came back in to the attack to bowl from the other end. He didn't bowl badly, but it just wasn't his day. Watson defended the first ball of the over then drove the 2nd through the leg side and picked up 2. The 3rd ball of the over was on the stumps and Watson defended it. The 4th ball of the over was wide and Watson pushed it on to the off-side for a single. Haddin then drove then 5th ball of the over through the off side for another run. The final ball of the over was on leg stump and Watson drove it away through mid on for 4.

Murali continued to bowl from the other end and kept it fairly tight. Haddin defended the first 3 balls of the over. The 4th ball of the over was a no-ball. Murali found the outside edge, but it rolled away, along the ground to slip. The next ball was a free-hit and Haddin smashed it through the off-side for 4. Haddin defended the next ball, then was completely beaten outside the off stump on the final ball of the over. Murali conceded 5 runs from the over.

Nuwan Kulasekara bowled the 20th over and continued to bowl short. Watson hooked the first ball of the over away on to the leg side for a single. The 2nd ball of the over was short again and Haddin stepped back and hooked it for 4. Haddin then pulled the 3rd ball of the over through the leg side for another single. The next 2 balls were in the block hole and Watson defended them. The final ball of the over was wide, outside off stump and Watson left it alone.

So, Sri Lanka are beginning to tighten up their bowling, but the damage has already been done. Watson and Haddin are having no-trouble defending the good balls and smashing the bad balls to the boundary. Murali is the only bowler that has looked dangerous so far. He isn't spinning the ball much, but he is putting it in the right areas.

Watson's 100:

Haddin's 50:

Australia 0/183 20.0 overs
Haddin Not Out 65
Watson Not Out 109

Extra: 9nb
9.15 RPO

Sri Lanka
Malinga (4-0-22-0) 1nb 5.50 RPO
Kulasekara (6-0-67-0) 11.17 RPO
Perera (4-0-38-0) 5nb 9.50 RPO
Matthews (4-0-49-0) 2nb 12.25 RPO
Muralitharan (2-0-7-0) 1nb 3.50 RPO

 

[timchrist984]

I'm currently away and have very limited access to the Internet and no access to my PS3. I won't be able to update for the next couple of days.

EDIT: Change of plans, I'm back. Updates coming soon

 

[Prithvi]

Seems as if Aussies are again going to score 400+ score. I'd be happy if Sri Lanka chase it down .

 

[timchrist984]

Murali Gets The Breakthrough​

Murali has made the breakthrough here at the Sydney Cricket Ground. He has dismissed Haddin to give Sri Lanka a hope of keeping the Aussie total under 400. The Centurion, Shane Watson, remains at the crease and is looking to build a partnership with the Aussies skipper, Ricky Ponting. Ponting has looked confident at the crease from the start. He will be looking to cash in on a big score today and find some form before the ashes start.

It was Muttiah Muralitharan who bowled the 20th over. He bowled full and spun the ball out of the rough. Haddin played cautiously and defended the first ball of the over. He pushed the 2nd ball of the over in to the off side for a single. Watson then drove the 3rd ball of the over down the ground for 2. The 4th ball of the over was full on leg stump and Watson swept it away for a single. It was the 5th ball of the over when Haddin was dismissed. Murali bowled a full ball, well outside off stump and Haddin left it alone. The ball spun back viciously and knocked out Haddin's off-stump. He was out for 66 and the score was 1-187. The new man at the crease was Ricky Ponting. Ponting pushed the final ball of the over through the off side for 2 to get off the mark.

The new bowler from the other end was Thisara Perera. Perera pitched the ball up and didn't give the batsmen anything loose. Watson respected the good bowling and defended the first two balls of the over. He worked the 3rd ball of the over through the leg side and picked up 2. He then dabbed the 4th ball of the over on to the off side and jogged through for a single. Ponting then drove the next ball through the off side for a single. Watson pushed the final ball of the over in to the covers for a single.

The dismissal of Haddin had forced the Aussies to play more cautiously. They were beginning to settle down and just rotate the strike, instead of looking to smash every ball.

Murali continued to bowl from the Paddington end and kept spinning the ball sharply. Watson was looking to smother the spin and attack Murali. On the first ball of the over Watson got to the pitch of the ball and played and excellent square drive that ran away for 4. He used his feet again the next ball and drove Murali through the covers for 2. He defended the 3rd ball of the over, then nudged the fourth ball behind point for 2. Watson lofted the next ball over cover and picked up another 2. He then drove the final ball of the over through mid off for another 4.

Thisara Perera continued to bowl from the Randwick end and the Aussie skipper handled him with ease. Ponting defended the first 3 balls of the over, then drove the 4th ball of the over through the on side for 2. The 5th ball of the over was over pitched and Ponting drove it though mid on for 4. The final ball of the over was on target and Ponting calmly defended it.

Murali was then replaced at the the Paddington End by seamer, Angelo Matthews. Matthews' first ball was a gentle half-volley and Watson drove it through the covers for 4. He then corrected his length and Watson defended the next 5 balls.

So, Australia are still in a commanding position. Watson and Ponting are playing well and could bat Sri Lanka out of the game if they continue to occupy the crease. Sri Lanka will need quick wickets if they are any chance of winning.

Overs 21 to 25 Highlights:​

Australia 1/220 25.0 overs
Haddin B: Muralitharan 66
Watson Not Out 134
Ponting Not Out 9

Extras: 11nb
8.80 RPO

Sri Lanka
Malinga (4-0-22-0) 1nb 5.50 RPO
Kulasekara (6-0-67-0) 11.17 RPO
Perera (6-0-49-0) 5nb 8.17 RPO
Matthews (5-0-54-0) 3nb 10.80 RPO
Muralitharan (4-0-28-1) 2nb 7.00 RPO

FOW: 1-187

 

[Prithvi]

Double century from Watto please .

 

[timchrist984]

Double century from Watto please .

Going by his real life form, he probably will!