Australia v Sri Lanka: Second Test live coverage, scorecard from Manuka Oval in Canberra
At 3-28, Australia’s miserable summer looked set to continue in Canberra. But Joe Burns and Travis Head had other ideas.
- STUMPS: AUS 4-384
- Head, Burns rescue mission
- TEA: AUS 3-220
- Burns brings up ton
- ‘Khawaja can’t bat no.3’
- LUNCH: AUS 1-103
Australia is 4-384 at stumps on day one of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Canberra’s Manuka Oval, with Joe Burns 172 not out and Kurtis Patterson 25 not out.
Andrew Faulkner 6.01pm: STUMPS — Australia 4-384
A record partnership, a maiden ton and some uninspiring bowling and downright diabolical fielding from a second-string Sri Lanka; Canberra’s Test debut will be remembered for many things.
Mark it also as the day Joe Burns returned from the cold — with a new highest Test score no less — and the day the century drought broke. But for a trio of Australian batsmen, it will be remembered as a lost opportunity.
Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne will rue missing out on the plunder that Burns and Travis Head piled into during the afternoon. Their massive stand powered the hosts from great peril at 3-28 to an imposing 4-384 at stumps. To compound the tourists’ pain, Burns (172 from 243 balls, 26 fours) and Kurtis Patterson (25 from 48, two fours and a six) saw off the new ball in the last half hour, so more low fruit awaits in the morning.
STUMPS
â Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) February 1, 2019
Australia makes it to the end of day one with its highest score in 12 Tests - 4-384. Joe Burns is unbeaten on 172 and Kurtis Patterson 25.
REPORT: https://t.co/J7DMmqJRbD #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/N1KWdZoV03
The Sri Lankans would be well-advised to start the long climb back by arresting their woeful fielding. Needless overthrows were as ugly as the dropped catches, even the dolly spilt by Lahiru Thirimanne at short-leg to pardon Patterson from a golden duck. Fielding coach Steve Rixon will be seething tonight.
That aside, Canberra’s first day of its maiden Test was a delight. Ringed with trees and overlooked by mountains, Manuka provides a welcome counterpoint to the nation’s claustrophobic cauldrons. Judging from the roars and sighs and gasps, the 8556 in attendance revelled in their initiation to the Test fraternity.
Daniel Sankey 5.33pm: New ball is taken
With 80 overs gone and Australia on 4-358, Sri Lanka has taken the second new ball at the first available opportunity.
Here comes the second new ball. Sri Lanka hoping it can resuscitate their Test hopes
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Daniel Sankey 5.15pm: Head, Burns partnership by the numbers
Joe Burns and Travis Head today became the first two Australian batsmen to score Test centuries this summer ... but they also achieved several other milestones in their brilliant 308-run partnership.
As Fox Sports Lab outlines:
• It was the highest Test partnership by an Australian duo since 2015;
• It’s the highest Test partnership by an Australian duo against Sri Lanka;
• It’s the fifth-highest Test partnership on record against Sri Lanka; and
• It’s the highest fourth wicket Test partnership against Sri Lanka.
308 run partnership between Joe Burns & Travis Head:
â Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) February 1, 2019
- AUS highest Test partnership since 2015
- AUS highest Test partnership against SL
- 5th highest Test partnership against SL (all countries)
- Highest 4th wicket Test partnership against SL (all countries)#AUSvSL ð¦ðº
Daniel Sankey 5.04pm: WICKET! Head finally departs
After being dropped twice on his way to a brilliant 161 (204 deliveries), Travis Head’s luck has finally run out. The Australian no.5 has been trapped LBW by Vishwa Fernando as he walked across his stumps to try to swat a straight ball through the legside.
WICKET: Sri Lanka have the breakthrough. Travis Head goes for 161.
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Fantastic knock from the vice-captain.#AUSvSL #FoxCricket pic.twitter.com/MSXmH3PJbo
Kurtis Patterson has joined Joe Burns at the wicket just in time to see the Queenslander bring up his 150 off 211 deliveries.
'He's digging in here at Manuka Oval'
â Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) February 1, 2019
Joe Burns brings up his 150ðª#AUSvSL #FoxCricket pic.twitter.com/yZRm2OYbmg
However, Patterson has immediately had a life of his own, dropped at short leg after getting an inside edge to off-spinner Dhananjaya de Silva with the first delivery he’s faced.
Dropped! A simple chance at bat-pad goes down and Kurtis Patterson avoids a golden duck
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Australia are 4-337 after 74 overs, with the second new ball due in just six overs.
Daniel Sankey 4.55pm: Head dropped ... again
Travis Head gets another life as part-time off-spinner Dhananjaya de Silva drops a sitter off his own bowling. Head skipped up the wicket to drive but could only bunt it straight back to de Silva, who got both hands to it but couldn’t complete what must be described as a regulation catch.
Australia are 3-330 after 72 overs, with Head on 156 not out and Joe Burns on 148 not out.
Dropped! Travis Head slaps one straight back at Dhananjaya de Silva but the bowler can't hold on. This stand is now worth 301.
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Daniel Sankey 4.40pm: Head brings up his 150
Australia’s Travis Head continues his freescoring ways, bringing up his 150 from just 193 deliveries. He’s hit 19 boundaries and one six and has really upped the tempo since reaching three figures shortly after the tea break.
Travis Head goes down the ground and brings up his 150ðª#AUSvSL #FoxCricket pic.twitter.com/uaRGjPGD0c
â Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) February 1, 2019
He survived an appeal just moments earlier when he bottom-edged a delivery that hit his before being brilliantly caught at slip. Replays showed, however, that the ball hit the ground after it struck his boot.
Not out! Edged it onto his toe but it touched the pitch before carrying to slip
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Australia are 3-318, with Joe Burns (142 not out) also closing in on 150.
4.30pm: 300 up for Australia
From 3-28 to 3-300!
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Heck of a stand between Burns and Head
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Daniel Sankey 4.14pm: Burns, Head still rolling
Joe Burns hits arguably the shot of the day — an elegant off drive for four — to take his partnership with Travis Head past 250. After coming together with Australia on the ropes at 3-28, Burns and Head’s 250-run stand has come from just 339 deliveries, not only rescuing their team from a terrible position but doing it at a rate of more than 4.40 runs per over.
The last time Australia made this many runs in a Test innings at a faster scoring rate was the 2016 Boxing Day Test against Pakistan, when they made 624/8d, scoring at 4.39rpo. #AUSvSL
â The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) February 1, 2019
After 65 overs, Australia are now 3-285, with Burns on 132 not out (191 deliveries) and Head on 126 not out (171 deliveries).
Daniel Sankey 3.53pm: Head tons up
It’s taken all summer for an Australian batsman to score a Test century, but the second has quickly followed.
Travis Head notched his maiden Test ton with a textbook off drive for four, moving to 102 not out from just 155 deliveries.
Australia are now 3-240 in the 59th over, with Joe Burns — who became Australia’s first centurion of the summer just before the tea break — on 115 not out. The run rate is sitting at a healthy 4.08 and with 30 overs remaining in the day’s play, Australia is fast taking a stranglehold on the second Test.
ð¯
â Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) February 1, 2019
A maiden Test match hundred for Travis Head ð¥#AUSvSL #FoxCricket pic.twitter.com/OohFFNRb28
Daniel Sankey 3.11pm: TEA — Australia 3-220
That’s tea on day one of the second Test, with Australia dominating the session to head to the break on 3-220.
Joe Burns has brought up the first Australian Test century of the summer, moving along to 107 not out (159 deliveries) while Travis Head is on 91 not out (137 deliveries).
They have so far shared in a 192-run partnership — the best of the summer for Australia — and will be looking to go on with it in the final session.
Since Joe Burns made his Test debut in 2014, only four Australians (Smith, Warner, Khawaja, Voges) have made more Test centuries. All of those four men have played more Tests than him. #AUSvSL
â The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) February 1, 2019
However, Head didn’t get to tea without a fright.
The number 87 is regarded as the devil’s number for Australian cricket and it almost claimed another victim just before the tea break when Head was dropped after slashing one straight to gully.
Even if the catch was taken, Head may well have had another reprieve, given replays showed the delivery should have been ruled a no ball.
Was that Head dropped catch on a no ball anyway? #AUSvSRI @FoxCricket @7Cricket pic.twitter.com/ZmYZ8u4cGU
â Liam Getreu (@liamget) February 1, 2019
Daniel Sankey 2.59pm: Burns brings up his century
Joe Burns becomes the first Australian batsman to notch a Test century this summer as he dashes for a quick single to take Australia to 3-208.
It’s been a brilliant knock from Burns, who’s offered only one chance — a sharp catch at slip when he was on 35 — in an entertaining knock. His century came from just 147 deliveries and featured 16 boundaries.
Burns will also go down in history as the first man to score a Test century at Manuka Oval. The Queensland opener now has four Test centuries to his name.
There it is! The first Aussie Test hundred of the Summer âï¸
â Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) February 1, 2019
It's a fourth Test ð¯ for Joe Burns.#AUSvSL #FoxCricket pic.twitter.com/77OQQKrybC
Daniel Sankey 2.52pm: 200 up for Australia
The 200 comes up for Australia in the 50th over of the day as Joe Burns (93 not out) and Travis Head (86 not out) close in on well-deserved centuries.
Almost unbelievably, Burns is the first Australian batsman this Test summer to get into the 90s — and on what’s now a beautiful batting wicket, he’s got a terrific chance to make it a very big hundred. His 93 not out has come from just 140 deliveries while Head’s 86 not out has taken just 131 deliveries.
Their partnership is now up to 172 after they came together with the score at 3-28.
Daniel Sankey 2.25pm: ‘Khawaja can’t bat at no.3’
Former Australian legspinner and now Fox Cricket commentator Kerry O’Keeffe has cast doubt on whether Usman Khawaja can continue to bat at no.3 in the upcoming Ashes series following yet another failure today.
Khawaja waved at one outside off stump and was caught in the slips for a duck in the first session of today’s play.
WICKET: The ball is swinging this morning ð¬ï¸
â Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 31, 2019
Khawaja out for ð¦. Aus 2-15.
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“Usman Khawaja’s feet, they froze. You can’t at No.3 have frozen feet to the swinging ball,” O’Keeffe said on Fox Cricket.
“The bat was a long way from the body as a result. So Australia’s (number) one, two and three are not locked in concrete going forward. Can Usman bat at No.3 with that technique? On current from, no.”
In his past six Tests for Australia, Khawaja has made just 209 runs at 23.22 with a top score of 72.
Andrew Faulkner 1.55pm: Century partnership up
Joe Burns and Travis Head have their 100 stand after a flurry of fours early in the second session. The century partnership came in only 145 balls and the pair has since taken the score to 3-136 in 34 overs.
Burns (61 from 95 balls) and Head (55 from 82) have righted the ship and set it on a course for calmer waters later in the day. This pitch looks like it’ll flatten into a great batting strip, the outfield’s fast and the forecast’s good. Burns brought up his 50 with a brutal square slash and Head looked even better in back-cutting his way to a polished half-century. Both have hundreds for the taking …
Travis Head averages 45.32 in the first innings of Tests, and 35.00 in the second innings. #AUSvSL
â The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) February 1, 2019
Daniel Sankey 1.35pm: Burns, Head brings up 50s
An imperious cut shot for four has brought up 50 for Joe Burns, his fifth in Test cricket as Australia moves to 3-113 after the lunch break.
Burns has been exceptionally cautious following the resumption of play a touch over 20 minutes ago, but he was quick to leap on a wide, short delivery from Kasun Rajitha. Burns’ 50 came from 86 deliveries and featured eight boundaries.
FIFTY: Joe Burns notches up his 5th Test match 50ð
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Travis Head followed suit in the very next over, a Vishwa Fernando misfield off his own bowling gifting a quick single to take him to 50 not out from 72 deliveries with seven boundaries.
Australia are 3-118 in the 32nd over.
And now a fifty for Head! His second in a row
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Andrew Faulkner 12.37pm: Burns all but books Ashes berth
A barrage of Joe Burns cuts and pulls have rescued the hosts and all but booked the opener a seat on the plane to England. The hosts have finished the first session on 3-103, with Burns on 46 (68 balls, seven fours) and Travis Head on 39 (56 balls, five fours). The pair’s added an entertaining 75 runs in 104 balls.
Joe Burns is really effective in putting the bad balls away. In his Test career, he has scored at 10.26 runs per over playing attacking shots. Since his debut in Dec 2014, of the 99 players to have played 300+ attacking shots only three players have scored a quicker rate. #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/udRvCEGv63
â The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) February 1, 2019
Burns has powered through the 30s and 40s by seizing upon anything short from this unheralded Sri Lankan seam attack. But he’s had a huge slice of luck: Dhananjaya de Silva put him down when he was 35 from Dilruwan Perera’s bowling. It was a sharp chance but the fielder didn’t help his cause by standing very close at first slip. Head has looked compact and circumspect, but has still scored briskly with shots played all round the wicket. Now he needs to go on with it to get that breakthrough hundred.
That's lunch! Sri Lanka were on top early, but Burns (46*) and Head (39*) lead Australia's recovery to be 3-103 at the break: https://t.co/DT74duc43l #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/3wP9we6WaT
â cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 1, 2019
Daniel Sankey 12.33pm: LUNCH — Australia 3-103
Joe Burns and Travis Head have done a good job to get Australia to 3-103 at the lunch break, with Burns on 46 not out and Head on 39 not out.
Burns had a life when he was dropped by Dhananjaya de Silva off the bowling of off-spinner Dilruwan Perera just 15 minutes before the interval, but apart from that scare, he’s looked confident throughout his innings.
Head has used his feet well to Perera and both batsmen now have a terrific opportunity to bring up centuries in the next session, with early swing having now disappeared for the pacemen.
Daniel Sankey 12.15pm: Burns dropped
A life for Australian batsman Joe Burns as he’s dropped at first slip by Dhananjaya de Silva off the bowling of off-spinner Dilruwan Perera.
Burns attempted to cut Perera but was cramped for space and the ball flew quickly off the outside edge. It was a sharp chance for de Silva, but he’ll be disappointed to have dropped it given it was hit just to his right.
Instead of being dismissed, Burns picks up two, in the process moving to 37 not out and bringing up the 50-run partnership with Travis Head. Australia are 3-82 just 15 minutes before lunch.
Dropped! Sri Lanka give Burns a lifeline.
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Andrew Faulkner 12.06pm: Spinner on as swing disappears
At 3-68, Joe Burns (29) and Travis Head (21) have added 40 to staunch the early damage. The Australian pair has kept out the good balls and punished the bad. That is, they’ve showed their teammates what Test batting’s supposed to be about. The ball’s stopped swinging and off-spinner Dilruwan Perera’s posing few problems half an hour before lunch.
Joe Burns should ideally not have a lot of trouble facing Dilruwan Perera with the off breaks spinning into him. In his Test career so far, he averages 63.0 facing deliveries spinning into him compared to a significantly lower 26.8 against the ones spinning away. #AUSvSL
â The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) February 1, 2019
Burns has driven handsomely, while Head has looked good off his legs. They’re both profiting from a lovely fast Manuka outfield, and sloppy Sri Lankan fielding on occasions.
Daniel Sankey 11.41am: Burns, Head battle back
Joe Burns (16 not out) and Travis Head (12 not out) have steadied the ship somewhat for Australia, steering their team to 3-46 with 14 overs gone and lunch around 50 minutes away.
Burns advances in style.
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However, it’s certainly not easy going for the Aussies, with the Sri Lankan bowlers getting a lot of swing in favourable bowling conditions at Manuka Oval.
The Sri Lankan pacers have found a lot of swing early on at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. The average swing in the first 6 overs was 1.52° - the most any team has managed at this stage in the opening innings of a Test in Australia since 2010. #AUSvSL
â The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) February 1, 2019
Given this is an entirely new pace trio than the one Sri Lanka played in the first Test at the Gabba, it’s been an extraordinary effort from Vishwa Fernando (2-20), Kasun Rajitha (0-11) and debutant Chamika Karunaratne (1-14). Just 22 years of age, Karunaratne only got off the plane from Sri Lanka two days ago, but took just four deliveries to pick up his first Test wicket — that of Marnus Labuschagne.
The smile on Australiaâs face was swiftly wiped off during a humbling opening nine overs from Sri Lanka.
â Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) February 1, 2019
Alarm bells are now ringing.
MORE: https://t.co/kyHXMgMfUo #AusvSL pic.twitter.com/FGRENGQNt8
Daniel Sankey 11.13am: WICKET! Labuschagne caught
It’s a third wicket in the first hour for Sri Lanka, with Marnus Labuschagne (6) nicking to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella off the bowling of Chamika Karunaratne — his first Test wicket in just the first over of his Test career. Australia slump to 3-28 in just the ninth over of the day.
With his fourth ball in Test cricket, Chamika Karunaratne picks up his first wicketð
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Andrew Faulkner 10.56am: WICKET! Khawaja gone for a duck
Usman Khawaja has gone for a duck as the Australian batting recession deepens. Khawaja wafted outside off to edge Vishwa Fernando to Kusal Mendis in the cordon. His wicket reduces Australia to 2-15 in the sixth over.
WICKET: The ball is swinging this morning ð¬ï¸
â Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 31, 2019
Khawaja out for ð¦. Aus 2-15.
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Marcus Harris was the first to go. The opener streaked to 11 off 16 balls before hitting the 17th straight to point, just as he did in Brisbane. This time, however, it was an on-the-up drive rather than a vapid cut. It was good captaincy though, keeping point nice and tight for the catching opportunity.
Wicket-taker Fernando and his opening partner Kasun Rajitha are hooping the ball around aided by a stiff breeze. The Australians are on the back foot …
Daniel Sankey 10.46am: WICKET! Harris caught
The Sri Lankans have a vital early breakthrough, with Marcus Harris (11) caught at point by Chamika Karunaratne off the bowling of Vishwa Fernando. Australia are 1-11 after 4 overs.
WICKET: Harris falls early.
â Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 31, 2019
Aus 1-11
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Daniel Sankey 10.35am: Early swing for Rajitha
Kasun Rajitha takes the new ball for Sri Lanka and there’s some early for the right armer, who’s bending the ball back into left-handed opener Marcus Harris. The Aussie gets off the mark on the third ball of the innings as he works Rajitha through the legside for two. He gets another three as he drives a full toss down the ground to move to 5 not out.
It’s still quite chilly in Canberra at 16 degrees, but a maximum of 24 is predicted and there’s only a very slight chance of rain.
The first ball in a Test match in Canberra is a loosener.
â Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 31, 2019
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Andrew Faulkner 10.06am: Australia wins toss, will bat
Tim Paine has at last won a toss and has elected to bat first. Paine said yesterday he might try tossing left-handed after his run of bad luck — well he did just that and it worked a treat. So today should be the day that the Australian hundred drought at last breaks. The tourists have lost their entire Brisbane pace attack. They’ve revealed Suranga Lakmal (back) is the latest to be ruled unfit. So Chamika Karunaratne will play just days after arriving to bolster the depleted squad.
AUSTRALIA XI: Marcus Harris, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Kurtis Patterson, Tim Paine (c, WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Lyon.
SRI LANKA XI: Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal (c), Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dilruwan Perera, Chamika Karunaratne, Vishwa Fernando, Kasun Rajitha.
Tim Paine has WON the toss. Australia will bat first
â Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 31, 2019
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#AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/oGCvtvxq5m
Andrew Faulkner 9.15am: Australian XI unchanged
The nation’s 11th Test ground will debut on a cloudy and chilly — but so far dry — day in Canberra.
An overnight change has pulled the plug on Canberra’s swelter and the cool weather might even tempt the toss-winning skipper to bowl. Such thoughts will be fanned by the still-green pitch. But bat-first remains the favoured option, particularly in the tourists’ case, given their injuries.
We’ll probably have to wait for the toss to know if Suranga Lakmal (back) will take his place at the head of the Sri Lankan attack. The unchanged Australians will never get a better opportunity to break their hundred drought …
AUSTRALIA XI: Marcus Harris, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Kurtis Patterson, Tim Paine (c, WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Lyon.
Pitch inspection #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/2xNdGujEjC
â cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 31, 2019
9am: Warne says Pucovski should have played
Legendary legspinner Shane Warne says the Australian selectors ‘missed a trick’ by not playing young batting sensation Will Pucovski in the two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
Writing in The Herald-Sun today, Warne said the first Test in Brisbane would have been the perfect opportunity to blood 20-year-old Pucovski, who averages 49.00 — including a brilliant 243 for Victoria against Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield in October — in his eight first class matches.
“Making your Test debut in an Ashes series in England is the hardest assignment for any Australian player. That is why I think the selectors missed a trick by not playing Pucovski, 20, at the Gabba,” Warne wrote.
“They should have given him a go — he’s the best young batsman we’ve seen in a long, long time, so why make him wait for an opportunity?”
And while many pundits had Pucovski pegged for a middle order position, Warne believes he should have been selected at the top of the order in favour of Queenslander Joe Burns.
“I’d throw him in the deep end and see how organised he is and test his technique against the new ball,” Warne said.
“I know Australia played great at the Gabba and you don’t want to change a winning team, but this is the last Test before the first ball at Edgbaston and it’s against a very depleted Sri Lanka.
“It’s a great opportunity to give a couple of young kids a go before you pick your Ashes squad.”
Gideon Haigh 8.20am: What to make of Paine’s leadership?
The Australian’s Gideon Haigh today takes a closer look at Tim Paine’s reign as our Test captain today ... and speculates on how long he might keep the job.
“As he completes his first home summer as captain of Australia, Tim Paine arrives in Canberra with a better approval rating than Scott Morrison. What to make of his ascendancy?” Haigh writes.
“Paine’s success as a Test skipper is mainly that he has not failed. This sounds axiomatic, but isn’t. Forty-five men had been appointed to captain Australia in Test cricket before Paine, and not one of them in circumstances so unpromising — in the middle of a Test match, in the middle of a scandal.”
Read the full story here.
6.45am: Canberra’s long road to Test cricket
You can go as far back as 90 years to see discussions around Canberra hosting a cricket Test match. But it will only become a reality today as Manuka Oval takes its place as Australia’s 11th Test venue when Sri Lanka seeks to avoid a 2-0 series defeat.
After years of lobbying from Cricket ACT, Australia will get the opportunity to play a five-day contest on one of the most picturesque grounds in the country. A key driver in the historic event is Mark Vergano, who was chief executive of Cricket ACT for 13 years.
The most recent push to put Canberra on the Test calendar came during the mid-2000s, with a number of improvements at Manuka including the installation of light towers and a new media centre having since followed.
While Vergano left his post in 2015, he has paid credit to his successors Cameron French, and now James Allsopp, for carrying on with the job and delivering the ultimate goal.
“Some of the original thinking back in the 1930s was putting Canberra on the map and trying to get an English team here then maybe a Test match,” Vergano said.
“In 2005 we started the thinking Canberra’s centenary (in 2013) would be an appropriate time.
“It’s taken longer to get here than most but it was the natural progression to get a Test match eventually.”
Manuka first hosted an international match back in 1992 during the World Cup when South Africa smashed Zimbabwe by seven wickets.
For a long time, the ground was pigeonholed into hosting the annual Prime Minister’s XI match and was devoid of much other top-class cricket. But as the ground’s profile has improved, some of Manuka’s most famous moments have come in recent seasons.
Chris Gayle’s record-breaking 215 against Zimbabwe in 2015 will go down in World Cup folklore, while he also hit 146 from 89 balls against the PM’s XI in 2010.
This weekend’s Test is likely to be the last in Canberra for at least the next four years, with no six-Test summers scheduled in Australia in the current Future Tours Program that ends in 2023. But officials are hopeful that strong crowds — which are likely to include at least a day-two sellout — will drive more shorter-form internationals to the ground.
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6.30am: Final Test without Warner, Smith
Life in Test cricket without David Warner and Steve Smith has reached its final chapter for Australia in Canberra with the banned duo free to play in the country’s next red-ball match.
While Australia will still be without the suspended pair until the end of March in one-day cricket, Smith and Warner will be four months into their return when the Aussies next play a Test after the Sri Lankan series against England at Edgbaston on August 1.
That will help bring to an end one of the toughest periods in Australian cricket, with the Test team having won two of eight matches since they were suspended following the ball-tampering saga in Cape Town.
Such is their importance to the Australian side, Smith is still ranked No.4 in the ICC’s world batting rankings and Warner No.6.
Usman Khawaja is the next best Aussie, at No.16.
But it hasn’t been all bad news for Australia, with Tim Paine emerging as an extremely capable leader for a tough situation and seven players being handed debuts.
“We haven’t had the wins we would like and sometimes it’s easy to look at the negatives and the losses and the lack of hundreds and whatnot,” Paine said.
“But I think at the end of the day when we sit back and take in this summer and plan going forward, we’ve unearthed some really good cricketers. Jhye Richardson, Marnus (Labuschagne), Travis (Head), Marcus Harris, a number of guys coming through.
“When you add to that some experienced players who could be coming back, there’s going to be a really good period of cricket coming up for our team.”
AAP
6.15am: Lyon’s ‘special’ return to Canberra
Nathan Lyon will look up at the Jack Fingleton scoreboard during this week’s inaugural Canberra Test match and ponder how far he and cricket in his former city have come.
An apprentice curator at Manuka Oval for four years until 2010 when he moved to Adelaide, Lyon was at the Canberra ground when the push for Test cricket began 12 years ago.
He also played grade cricket just down the road and captained Wests UC, having moved from Young in south-west NSW to the ACT to join the territory’s pathways program.
“Ten years later and playing in the first-ever Test match at Manuka Oval, where I used to work, it is pretty special,” said Lyon ahead of today’s second Test against Sri Lanka.
“I know I’ve got a lot of family coming over from Young. It’s going to be a pretty special moment when we sing the national anthem out there. Especially when I get the opportunity to bowl out there. I’ve got a lot of history on the ground. It’s one of my favourite grounds for obvious reasons.”
Lyon is arguably the ACT’s finest Test cricketer, although both Brad Haddin and Michael Bevan were born and raised in the nation’s capital along with women’s allrounder Kris Britt.
Lyon, who worked under current head groundsman Brad van Dam towards the end of his stay, should know the ground better than most in the Test. While returns have been few and far between since, Lyon, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins played a Sheffield Shield match on the ground for NSW earlier this summer.
“It’s all new, everything is new since I’ve been back,” Lyon said. “But Brad looks like he has done a fantastic job, it has a great coverage of grass, so I am expecting a really good cricket wicket. There is something there with the new ball if you are good enough to put it into the right areas and if you are good enough you will hopefully score runs.
“Hopefully it’ll spin and if it is warm it is more than likely it will crack, I reckon.”
AAP