19:31 IST: 0.1: Mitchell Starc to Pathum Nissanka, 1 run.
19:30 IST: The players of both the teams are out for their respective national anthems! First, it will be the anthem of Sri Lanka, followed by the anthem of Australia! We are done with the national anthems now and it is game time! The players of Australia spread out on the field. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera are the opening batters for Sri Lanka. Mitchell Starc will start with the ball.
19:21 IST: Dasun Shanaka, the skipper of Sri Lanka, says that they would have bowled first as well. Says that it is a good contest and the players are prepared. Informs that Maheesh Theekshana comes in for Binura Fernando. Adds that spinners are crucial in this game and he is very happy to lead this side.
19:17 IST: Aaron Finch, the skipper of Australia, says it looks like a good wicket and it won’t change a lot, it is not as hot as it usually is and he would look to chase well later on. Adds it was a good bowling performance in the last game. States in such tournaments you just need to get the points anyhow and it does not matter how. Informs that they are unchanged going into this game.
19:06 IST: Sri Lanka (Playing XI) – Kusal Perera (WK), Pathum Nissanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana (In for Binura Fernando), Lahiru Kumara.
19:04 IST: Australia (Unchanged Playing XI) – Aaron Finch (C), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
19:03 IST: TOSS UPDATE – Aaron Finch and Dasun Shanaka are out in the middle for the all-important toss. The coin goes up and lands in favour of the former. Australia have elected to BOWL first.
18:58 IST: PITCH REPORT – Alan Wilkins says that this is the same pitch as India vs Pakistan match. Dale Steyn adds that length is the key on pitches of UAE, when the lengths are dragged back it is difficult to score. Tells that whoever wins the toss will decide to chase.
18:38 IST: Australia too, will rely on their bowling. Their batting lineup is strong but not in form. We saw the quality in the bowling department in the last game and it won’t come as a surprise if we do see another good performance by them against a not-so-reliable Lanka batting. Stay tuned for toss and further updates.
18:35 IST: What will be Sri Lanka’s mantra for a win in this game? Spin? Has to be spin. Australians have been quite vulnerable against the turning ball. They would dearly hope, Wanindu Hasaranga can get back to his best in this game and they would love Maheesh Theekshana to be available as his mystery can cause a few problems.
19:25 IST: Hello and a very warm welcome to yet another exciting encounter of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021! The Sri Lankans look a completely different team to what they were before arriving to the UAE. Their players have stepped up to the occasion and are still to be beaten in this tournament. They though face their toughest test so far as they face the mighty Aussies. Both sides will be confident heading into the fixture and both have momentum but the Aussies are big favourites to win this one. Can the Lankans spring a surprise?
19:03 IST: ….MATCH DAY….
