HIGHLIGHTS Sri Lanka vs Australia, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, 30 T20- Result, Scorecard

Welcome back for Sri Lanka's response with the bat. Mitchell Marsh leads his troops out as the Aussies spread to their respective fielding spots. Pathum Nissanka is joined by Kusal Perera as the two walk out to open for Sri Lanka. A slip in place and it will be Xavier Bartlett to bowl the first over. Nissanka will take the strike. Here we go!

... THE RUN CHASE ...

A big challenge ahead - 181 might look less given the way Australia started off, say, 15-20 short from an Aussie perspective. But by no means is it a stroll in the park while chasing. The highest successful run chase in Pallekele in the T20Is is 177, and this score also is in thereabouts of that figure. Australia cannot afford to lose this game as then it will make their chances very bleak for the Super Eights. A Sri Lanka win will make them get through to the next stage from this group. Be right back with the run chase. Stay tuned.

A tug of war in the second half - For Sri Lanka, it was always about who steps up in the absence of Wanindu Hasaranga. With Maheesh Theekshana enduring a rough outing, barring his final over, Dushan Hemantha delivered with a sharp 3 for 37. There were costly lapses though. Josh Inglis dropped on nought and Glenn Maxwell reprieved on 18 made Sri Lanka pay, as both showed their dexterity in patches. Still, to Sri Lanka's credit, they kept chipping away with wickets with Australia slipping from 160/4 to being bowled out on 181. The last three overs went for just 13 runs which extinguished the Aussie hopes of crossing the 200-run mark.

You live by the sword, and die by it - A gazillion boundaries later, just when it looked like a total wipeout, Dushan Hemantha flipped the script by removing Head. That one crack opened the floodgates. From domination to disarray, Australia lost their top four in a flash. They kept swinging, but the same aggression turned rogue. Marsh, Head, Tim David and Cameron Green all perished playing the same high-risk tune.

Wham, bam, slam to start - Australia's opening woes took a backseat as Mitchell Marsh came out in overdrive, with Travis Head matching that intent ball for ball. The early exit of Matheesha Pathirana due to a hamstring injury only made things worse for Sri Lanka as runs flowed like a broken tap. 70/0 in the Powerplay, and it felt like a boundary buffet. Marsh went full beast mode against Maheesh Theekshana, stitching five fours on the trot and leaving Sri Lanka chasing shadows.

Pendulum Pandemonium - After a seesaw of emotions in both the dugouts, it will be the Sri Lankans who will head to the dressing room as the happier of the two sides. They were left mere spectators with 110/2 in the first 10 overs, but they roared back in style, conceding 71/8 in the next ten. Sri Lanka were simply outstanding in the field, giving a good account of themselves in a crucial game. Whereas Australia started off brilliantly, but couldn't get the desired propulsion in the end.

Dushmantha Chameera to Adam Zampa, OUT! AUSTRALIA HAVE BEEN BOWLED OUT FOR 181! Adam Zampa is gone and it will be another run out to close out the innings. On a length, outside off, 116.9 kph, Adam Zampa eases this through the covers. It is a no brainer to come back for the second but the fielder is up for it as well. Kamindu Mendis charges to the ball and returns the throw to the keeper Mendis, Kusal, with the throw coming right in front of the keeper. Kusal collects and whips the bails off, with Zampa nowhere in the frame.

Adam Zampa is the last batter in, replacing Xavier Bartlett.

Dushmantha Chameera to Nathan Ellis, OUT! XAVIER BARTLETT IS RUN OUT! Another slower ball, 120 kph, on a length, outside off. Ellis looks to swing but is months early into the shot. The batters go for the bye and the keeper, Kusal Mendis, underarms his shy at the striker's end. Hits bull's eye and Bartlett is gone by a mile.

Dushmantha Chameera to Nathan Ellis, A good bouncer, at the head, Nathan Ellis is taken back and decides to ramp this pretty late. Is comprehensively beaten by pace and the Lankan coach, Sanath Jayasuriya, likes that in the dugout! He might be thinking, yes, this is how I felt as a batter while facing Brett Lee. The speed gun read 144.5 kph!

3 balls left. Australia caught between avoiding getting bowled out for twice in two games and finding the boundary. Nathan Ellis walks in next, at number 10, replacing Marcus Stoinis.

Dushmantha Chameera to Marcus Stoinis, OUT! CAUGHT! The jerseys seem to be swapped in the field! Sri Lanka have simply been outstanding in the field tonight. Another slower ball, 115.4 kph, on a length, outside off. Angling away, Stoinis swings hard, but gets a thick outside edge behind. The ball is dipping, but Maheesh Theekshana flings himself to his right at short third and takes another stinger! 160/4 has now become 180/8 for Australia!

Dushmantha Chameera to Marcus Stoinis, Swing and a miss. The crowd cheering each and every dot ball. Excellent slower ball, on a length, outside off, going away, Stoinis swings towards mid-wicket, but connects only with thin air.

Oh dear. The siren goes off and that means Chameera overstepped on the previous ball and it will be a NO BALL! FREE HIT coming up!

Dushmantha Chameera to Marcus Stoinis, Very full, outside off, Stoinis drills this to the left of long off and comes back for the second.

Frustration. The crowd is moving up and down around the sightscreen and Stoinis is flustered here.

Dushmantha Chameera to Marcus Stoinis, On a length, outside off, Marcus Stoinis punches it through point. Does not even think about the single.

Final over. Can Australia get to 190?

Maheesh Theekshana to Xavier Bartlett, Full and wide outside off, Xavier slashes hard but misses. Sensational over - A wicket and just 2 runs from it!

Maheesh Theekshana to Xavier Bartlett, Full, outside off, Bartlett swings wildly but misses.

Maheesh Theekshana to Xavier Bartlett, Ooohhh... fired on the pads, Xavier Bartlett looks to punch but gets a thick inside edge which goes past the leg stump!

Into the bowlers now. Xavier Bartlett walks in next, at number 9, replacing Cooper Connolly. Australia either need him to challenge his MLC 2025 form, where his strike rate was around 172, or simply give the strike to Stoinis.

Maheesh Theekshana to Cooper Connolly, OUT! CAUGHT! 6th wicket to spin. Floated, around middle and leg, Cooper Connolly goes for a big slog. But he only manages a thick top edge. Short third hares to his right, is about to collide with short fine leg, but the latter backs off in time. Kusal Perera keeps his eyes on the ball and dives full stretch to take the catch! Cooper is conned and from 160/4, AUSTRALIA ARE NOW 177/7! 9 balls left.

Maheesh Theekshana to Cooper Connolly, Outside off, punched through the covers. Kamil Mishara does well to move to his left at sweeper and dive to stop the ball. Two runs taken, two saved.

Maheesh Theekshana to Cooper Connolly, Maheesh Theekshana will bowl out. Down the leg side, Cooper Connolly works it to the leg side but cannot find the gap.

Dushmantha Chameera to Cooper Connolly, Back to pace off, on a length, outside off, Cooper Connolly eases this behind point for a single to get off the mark. A wicket and 7 runs from the over, 15/2 in the last 2!

Cooper Connolly walks in next, at number 8, replacing Josh Inglis, for the finishing duties.

Dushmantha Chameera to Josh Inglis, OUT! CAUGHT! Wow. You need to read this. Again and again. An Aussie batter, that too from Perth, has been bounced out by a Lankan seamer! A quick short ball, outside off, Josh Inglis goes for the pull instinctively. But he is beaten for pace - that's right - beaten for pace, with the speed gun reading 140 kph and gets a top edge which goes straight up in the air. Three fielders go for it - the bowler, the keeper and point. In the end, Dunith Wellalage calls for it coming in from point and takes it calmly. After a series of slower balls, Inglis was caught napping on this fast one. From 160/4, AUSTRALIA ARE NOW 174/6! 13 balls left.

Dushmantha Chameera to Marcus Stoinis, Full, around off, Marcus Stoinis opens the face of his bat and guides it through point for a run.

Dushmantha Chameera to Josh Inglis, Dropped short, slow again, Josh swivels, gets outside the line and pulls it behind square leg for a single.

Dushmantha Chameera to Josh Inglis, FOUR! What a shot that is! Full and outside off, Inglis drives this down the ground. Long off is pretty wide and he tries to reach to his right and dives, but there is so much power in the shot that the ball beats him!

Dushmantha Chameera to Josh Inglis, Landed outside off, Josh Inglis goes for the reverse hook but the ball is pretty slow and he misses it totally.

Dushan Hemantha to Josh Inglis, On middle, worked through mid-wicket for a run. 4-0-37-3 - best figures in T20Is for Dushan Hemantha! Anyone missing 'Wow'indu?

Dushan Hemantha to Josh Inglis, Short, outside off, Inglis punches it through point for a couple.

Dushan Hemantha to Josh Inglis, Quicker ball, 84.3 kph, punched back to the bowler. 'Anna Hari, Anna Hari!' chides Mendis.

Dushan Hemantha to Josh Inglis, FOUR! UP AND OVER! Landed outside off, Josh Inglis leans into the shot and lofts it nicely over cover for a boundary.

Dushan Hemantha to Marcus Stoinis, A full toss, on middle, Marcus Stoinis gently reverse-paddles it through short third for a single.

The crowd finds its voice. It knows how big a wicket that is. Maxwell's unbeaten 145 in 2016, his best in T20Is, came at this very venue, in 2016. Marcus Stoinis walks in next, at number 7, replacing Glenn Maxwell.

Dushan Hemantha to Glenn Maxwell, OUT! BLINDER OF A CATCH! That's how you bounce back, son! Dropped a sitter, but makes up for it with a screamer! Maxwell gets a taste of his own medicine. Normally, it is he who flies, who leaps and makes gravity's definition questionable. Full, around middle and off, Glenn Maxwell gets down and employs the reverse sweep. It is played powerfully and the ball flies over backward point. But Pathum Nissanka flies to his left and takes a stunner with both hands, landing behind! The Lankans are celebrating but Maxwell is asked to wait. The third umpire is called to check the legality of the catch and the replay shows that Nissanka is in total control of the catch. Maxwell looks stone faced, but even he would have admired that effort. Take a bow, Pathum. An important 30-run stand is broken and AUSTRALIA ARE 160/5 AFTER 16.1 OVERS!

Dushan Hemantha returns. 3-0-29-2 so far.

Dushmantha Chameera to Glenn Maxwell, On a length, outside off, Maxi cuts it through point for a run. Eventful over.

Dushmantha Chameera to Josh Inglis, Short, outside off, Inglis punches it through the covers for a single.

Dushmantha Chameera to Josh Inglis, FOUR! Adventurous! On middle and off, Josh Inglis goes back, brings out the reverse and ramps it over the keeper for a boundary!

Dushmantha Chameera to Glenn Maxwell, On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Dushmantha Chameera to Glenn Maxwell, DROPPED! Oh dear. Pretty similar to how David Warner was put down by Usama Mir during the 2023 World Cup in Bengaluru. Fielder getting to the ball, but not laying any hand on it. Slower ball, outside off, Glenn Maxwell goes for the moon again, but this time, gets very much height, without any distance. The ball is high in the air, but Pathum Nissanka comes running in. He does get to the ball but miraculously, the ball goes right through his hands and is down! In that other match, Usama was standing where he was. Two runs taken. Costly drop.

Dushmantha Chameera to Glenn Maxwell, Pace is back on, as Dushmantha Chameera returns. 1-0-16-0 so far. Outside off, guided straight to backward point.

Kamindu Mendis to Glenn Maxwell, Shorter on middle, Maxi works it through mid-wicket with soft hands again, but this time, the bowler himself goes after it. Keeps the batters to a single. 15 from the over.

Kamindu Mendis to Glenn Maxwell, Good running. On middle, Maxwell works it through mid-wicket with soft hands and charges back for the second. 150 UP FOR AUSTRALIA. 31 balls left.

Kamindu Mendis to Glenn Maxwell, FOUR MORE! Tossed up, outside off, Maxwell comes forward and with efficient use of his wrists, powers this over cover for a boundary!

Kamindu Mendis to Glenn Maxwell, SIX! CREAMED! Floated, around middle, Maxwell gets underneath the ball and swings it cleanly over long on!

Kamindu Mendis to Josh Inglis, Dropped short, pulled through mid-wicket for a run.

Kamindu Mendis to Glenn Maxwell, On middle, worked through square leg for a single.

DRINKS BREAK. The camera pans onto Mitchell Marsh who is looking very pensive outside the Aussie dressing room. At 104/0 in the 9th over, dreams of 250 were being woven. All of a sudden, 180 may be a tall ask. Aiming for the moon and running out of oxygen halfway? It has become a different ball game altogether. The hard, new ball was flying, but after that, forget the boundaries, the runs have dried up. 39/4 in the last 6 overs! The ball is stopping, holding on the surface and turning a bit as well. Australia might want to revisit what Sikandar Raza said in his post-match presentation the other day - if you look at 190 now, you are going to be 140 all out.

Dunith Wellalage to Glenn Maxwell, Full and outside off, The Big Show leans, opens the face of his bat and guides it towards backward point. 5 runs from the over, Dunith Wellalage finishes his bowling spell with figures of 4-0-33-1.

Dunith Wellalage to Josh Inglis, Short, outside off, Inglis goes back and punches it towards long off for another single.

Dunith Wellalage to Glenn Maxwell, On middle and leg, Maxi nudges it through square leg for one.

Dunith Wellalage to Glenn Maxwell, Full and straight, Maxwell defends it awkwardly back to the bowler.

Dunith Wellalage to Josh Inglis, Short, around off, Josh Inglis rocks back and punches it through the covers for a run.

Dunith Wellalage to Glenn Maxwell, Hmmm... turn. Fuller, around leg stump, Glenn Maxwell lunges to defend but the ball pitches and then spins away. The adjustment is nice to push the ball through mid off for a single.

Kamindu Mendis to Josh Inglis, Full and outside off, driven through the covers but it is stopped. A wicket and 4 runs from the over, excellent stuff from the so-called part timer.

Kamindu Mendis to Glenn Maxwell, Outside off, eased through the covers for a single to get off the mark.

Who's next? Mad Max? Yes. Glenn Maxwell walks in next, at number 6, replacing Tim David.

Kamindu Mendis to Tim David, OUT! CAUGHT! Another one falls in this suicide mission. Floated, outside off, Tim David thinks that this is in his arc and swings with all his might. But he is not quite to the pitch of the ball and gets massive height. Not the distance. Long off is waiting and Dushan Hemantha makes no mistake. From 104/0, AUSTRALIA ARE NOW 130/4!

Kamindu Mendis to Josh Inglis, Outside off, laced through the covers for a single.

Kamindu Mendis to Josh Inglis, The arm ball, around middle, Inglis punches it back to the bowler.

Kamindu Mendis to Josh Inglis, Brilliant fielding by Pavan Rathnayake. Full, outside off, Josh Inglis creams the drive through the covers but Rathnayake races to his right from deep cover, dives and stops the ball. Two runs taken, two saved.

Time for a change in pace? These two have bowled unchanged post the Powerplay. Having said that, should Shanaka change something which ain't broken? But he changes. Not the pace, but the combination. Kamindu Mendis gets the ball in his hand. For now, he is bowling left-arm orthodox.

Dunith Wellalage to Tim David, FOUR! No slip this time and it runs away! Pushed through, full and on middle, Tim David clears the front leg, looks to slog it over mid-wicket, but only manages a thick outside edge. The ball shoots past the vacant slip cordon and squirrels toward the deep third fence. 10 runs from the over.

Dunith Wellalage to Tim David, An in-angler at 93.1 kph on a length, Tim David backs away and crunches it to the cover fielder.

Dunith Wellalage to Josh Inglis, Flat and quick, full and outside off, Inglis stretches forward and carves it to deep point for a single.

Dunith Wellalage to Tim David, The arm ball, 86.1 kph, coming into middle stump, David backs away to the leg side and punches it uppishly through the covers for one.

Dunith Wellalage to Josh Inglis, Outside off, punched through the covers for a run.

Dunith Wellalage to Tim David, WIDE plus a bye. Full and down the leg side, Tim David looks to flick but misses. The keeper misses and concedes a run.

Dunith Wellalage to Josh Inglis, Short, around middle, Josh Inglis goes back and works it towards long on for a single.

Bazball. Travball, baseball. All are the same. Go out, hit out every ball, don't even attempt to stay in the middle. Australia, in pursuit of 200 or even 250, seem to be on a suicide mission here. They need to understand that there are 20 overs in the game for a reason.

Dushan Hemantha to Josh Inglis, Full and outside off, Josh drives it to deep cover for a single.

Dushan Hemantha to Josh Inglis, Nearly two in two for Dushan! A leg break, tossed up, full just outside leg, and it prodigiously spins away to finish across the off stump. Inglis stretches forward, shaping for a flick, but loses his balance and ends up getting dragged out of the crease. The ball beats the outside edge and has him stranded out for a moment. Mendis, though, can't gather it cleanly behind the stumps, and Inglis survives the scare, scrambling back in time.

And then, there were three! Just what Sri Lanka would have wanted. 104/0 has quickly become 116/3 in the span of 14 balls and the Lankans have come roaring back. Josh Inglis walks in next, at number 5, replacing his skipper, Mitchell Marsh.

Dushan Hemantha to Mitchell Marsh, OUT! LBW! The Aussie skipper is gone. This is pushed quicker by Dushan, in line of the stumps, on a fractionally fuller length. Mitchell Marsh is neither on the front foot, nor does he commit on the back foot, hangs somewhere in the middle and tries to block it out, but seems to have got beaten on the inside edge as the ball thuds the flap of the back pad. There is a lengthy appeal for LBW, but the umpire denies. Mendis is pleading to the umpire from behind the stumps and the Sri Lankans eventually go upstairs for a review. Nothing on UltraEdge and the Ball Tracking shows that the ball is projected to hit the middle stump. Brilliant review from the Lankans.

Dushan Hemantha to Tim David, Was that a catch? Short, around middle and off, Tim David goes back and punches it uppishly, just wide of the bowler, who dives to his left. The ball goes towards long off and a single is taken. To the naked eye, it seemed like it went at a catchable height.

Dushan Hemantha to Mitchell Marsh, Outside off, punched through mid off for a single.

Dushan Hemantha to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! FIFTY FOR MARSH NOW! In 25 balls. Short, around off, Mitchell Marsh rocks back and drags the pull. It is aerial but in the gap and wide of deep mid-wicket, to his right, and into the ropes. So far, Marsh has not looked to be struggling with his legs at least, given the seriousness of his injury.

Halfway stage reached. Hmmm... the Ashes have got over a month ago, but seems like Australia have still not got over England. Appears like they watched Brook and co. bat against Italy in Kolkata this afternoon. Tim David walks in next, at number 4, replacing Cameron Green.

Dunith Wellalage to Cameron Green, OUT! STUMPED! Sri Lanka have two wickets in quick time now. Full, wide, and cleverly fired in, almost as if the bowler saw the charge coming. Green comes dancing down but ends up miles away from the pitch of the ball. He swings hard but fails to get the connection. Mendis collects the ball cleanly behind the stumps and does the rest with ease, whipping off the bails. Australia are 110/2.

Dunith Wellalage to Cameron Green, Quicker one, full and on off, goes straight on. Green tries to block, but gets an inside edge onto the boot.

Dunith Wellalage to Mitchell Marsh, A touch short, outside off, Marsh slaps it off the back foot to widish cover for a single.

Dunith Wellalage to Mitchell Marsh, WIDE! Pushed way outside off, breaching the tramline. Marsh leaves.

Dunith Wellalage to Cameron Green, Shorter, outside off, Green punches it through point for one.

Dunith Wellalage to Mitchell Marsh, Floated, outside off, Mitchell Marsh uses his long reach and drives it through mid off for a run.

Dunith Wellalage to Cameron Green, Landed outside off, Cameron Green punches it through point for a single.

Dushan Hemantha to Cameron Green, Pushed through full and on off, Cameron Green leans on and drives it all along the ground to long off for a single.

Dushan Hemantha to Cameron Green, A massive appeal for stumping, but the on-field umpires confirm that Green is safe, seeing the smart replay on the giant screen. Spins big from a fuller length, outside off, Cameron Green is sucked into the shot on the front foot, trying to push it to the off side. The ball, however, spins almost square past his blade and Kusal Mendis collects it behind the stumps before he whips the bails off. The replay shows that Green's back leg never left or got lifted from the popping crease.

Dushan Hemantha to Cameron Green, At 88 kph, Dushan dishes out a length ball, on off, Green backs away and punches it to short cover.

At last, Sri Lanka get the breakthrough they were looking for. Now, to get some momentum back. Cameron Green walks in next, at number 3, replacing Travis Head.

Dushan Hemantha to Travis Head, OUT! CAUGHT! You live by the sword and die by it. Head was looking to hit each and every ball out of the park and his 'cameo' ends on a fine 56.  Floated wide outside off, Head reaches out to go over cover and wide long off, but is not quite to the pitch of the ball. He has to reach out and hence, does not get the full elevation. Wide long off is waiting and the ball flies straight to him, with Kamindu Mendis making no mistake at wide long off. AUSTRALIA ARE 104/1 AFTER 8.3 OVERS!

Dushan Hemantha to Travis Head, SIX! 100-RUN OPENING STAND IS UP! 4th in this edition and the first for Australia. Full, around middle, Travis Head gets down on a knee and mows the slog sweep. It is flat, but in the gap, splitting long on and deep mid-wicket.

Dushan Hemantha to Mitchell Marsh, The googly, outside off, 97.7 kph, shorter in length, Mitchell Marsh goes back and punches it through the covers for a single.

Dunith Wellalage to Mitchell Marsh, Pushed flatter and wide outside off, Marsh reaches out for it and steers it through point for a run. 13 runs from the over. 27 from the last 2.

Dunith Wellalage to Mitchell Marsh, SIX! Effortless! Wellalage serves a half volley on the platter for the Bison, on off, Mitchell Marsh takes the front foot ahead, gets underneath the ball cleanly and thumps it over long off for a big six.

Dunith Wellalage to Mitchell Marsh, A touch short and slower through the air, outside off, Marsh stands tall and smashes it away, but straight to the cover fielder.

Dunith Wellalage to Travis Head, 27-BALL FIFTY FOR TRAVIS HEAD! His 6th in T20Is and a third in World Cups. Gets there with a drive through mid off for a run. 7 fours and two sixes in his knock and he raises his bat but he knows, the job has just begun.

Dunith Wellalage to Mitchell Marsh, Shorter in length, outside off, Marsh punches it through the covers for a single.

Dunith Wellalage to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! BEAUTY! Tossed up, outside off, gentle half volley, Mitchell Marsh leans and drives it gorgeously through the covers for a boundary.

4 on the trot for Theekshana? Nope. Dunith Wellalage gets the ball in his hand now.

Dushan Hemantha to Travis Head, From around the stumps, on a length, outside off, Head punches it off the back foot to extra cover, where the fielder slides to his left and cuts it off.

Dushan Hemantha to Travis Head, FOUR! Unstoppable! A googly, but too full and on middle, Travis Head crunches it over extra cover for a cracking boundary.

Dushan Hemantha to Travis Head, SIX! The fielder can only watch it sail over! The leg break from Dushan, full and on the stumps. Travis Head finds the ball in his wheelhouse and slog sweeps it powerfully behind cow corner for half a dozen runs.

Dushan Hemantha to Travis Head, Excellent work by Pathum Nissanka. Full, down the leg side, Travis gets down and sweeps it through square leg. Nissanka charges to his right from deep square leg, dives full stretch and parries it to the fielder from deep mid-wicket. Keeps the batters to a couple of runs.

Dushan Hemantha to Travis Head, Full again, this time the cover drive is intercepted.

Dushan Hemantha to Travis Head, Full, outside off, 86 kph to start, Travis Head leans and drives it through the covers. Should have been just a single but the fielder in the deep did not pick it up at all and started to run after the batters had crossed each other at the halfway. The second is completed with ease.

DRINKS BREAK. 12 fours and 2 sixes in 36 balls. That's roughly a boundary every 3 balls. A mathematic demonstration of Australia's assault so far. The good thing from their point of view is that not too many shots have been played in anger. The Lankans have not bowled the right lines or lengths but from their point of view, the good thing is, the balls have started to stop and come onto the bat. So they will look for a breakthrough here and then put pressure on the new batters, much like how Zimbabwe did the other day. Dushan Hemantha has been given the ball now.

Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! Easily, the shot of the match so far! 5 boundaries in a row for the Big Bison. A juicy half volley around the off pole, Mitchell Marsh gets on the front foot and spectacularly carves it through the cover region for a boundary. No one could move a muscle. Australia end their Powerplay at 70/0!

Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! Wham, bam, slam! Theekshana targets the middle stump, on a fuller length, Mitchell Marsh gets down on his knee and mows it through deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! Mayhem in Pallekele! Maheesh goes full and outside off, the off spinner. Mitchell Marsh slices it over the cover-point region and the ball races away.

Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR MORE! Almost a carbon copy of the previous shot. Theekshana keeps the line outside off but the length is a touch short. It comes back into the batter but the skipper manages to make some room and punch it through the covers for successive boundaries.

Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! Nice shot. Perhaps the carrom ball, outside off, because it skids on after pitching. Yes, the replay confirms. Marsh goes back and then, bringing his weight through the shot nicely, leans and punches it through covers for a boundary.

Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Marsh, Full, outside off, Mitchell Marsh hammers it down the ground but cannot beat mid off as the fielder quickly gets across to his right.

Final over of the Powerplay.

Dasun Shanaka to Mitchell Marsh, This one holds on the surface a touch, on a good length. Marsh bunts it in front of mid on for a quick run. 12 runs from the over. 50 UP FOR AUSTRALIA!

Dasun Shanaka to Mitchell Marsh, Fuller and around off, at 128.7 kph, nipping back in. Mitchell Marsh attempts to go up and over the in-field on the off side, but gets a fat inside edge. The ball deflects onto the pads and rolls to short third.

Dasun Shanaka to Travis Head, On a hard length, on middle, Travis Head tries to wham that over long on, but mistimes off the inner half to long on for a single.

Dasun Shanaka to Travis Head, FOUR! Wonderful exhibition of aggressive batting! Slows it up, does Dasun. On a length, outside off, Travis Head expands his arms wide open and smashes it through the cover and point gap for a boundary.

Dasun Shanaka to Travis Head, Much fuller, on off, carved away to cover.

Dasun Shanaka to Travis Head, SIX! OUTTA HERE! A gentle-paced delivery, short and on leg, arriving at chest height of the batter. Easy pickings for Head as he swivels and cracks the pull shot enormously behind deep square leg for a six.

Suspect Shanaka will bowl again in the Powerplay. Proved wrong.

Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Marsh, Ooohhh... lucky escape. Outside off, the balls have started to hold on the surface a bit more frequently now. Marsh went for the cut but played early and got a massive inside edge, which missed the stumps!

Maheesh Theekshana to Travis Head, On middle, pretty straight, Travis pushes it towards long on for a run. 'Bowl Machaa, bowling!' chides Kusal Mendis, the keeper.

Maheesh Theekshana to Travis Head, Outside off, pushed towards mid off.

Maheesh Theekshana to Travis Head, FOUR! CREAMED! Full, outside off, Travis Head gets down on a knee and slog sweeps it to the left of mid on for a boundary!

Maheesh Theekshana to Travis Head, Landed outside off, short in length, 92.5 kph, Travis Head goes back to cut but the ball stops and arrives. As a result, there is a bottom edge and the call comes from Head - 'Wait there, Mitch, No.'

Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Marsh, Full, outside off, 95.4 kph, Mitchell Marsh leans and eases this past the diving short cover to his right, for a single to the left of mid off.

That's one bowler possibly short pretty early. But we all know what happens to Sri Lankans when they are a bowler short. Ireland can vouch for that. Only, don't think that Pathirana can bowl on one leg here. But the hosts have their bases covered.

Dasun Shanaka to Travis Head, Around the stump. This is bashed on a length, angling into the bodyline, Travis Head tries to nudge it around the corner, but misses and the ball grazes his thigh pad before rolling toward short fine leg. Marsh sniffs a run, but Head is quick to deny.

Dasun Shanaka to Travis Head, FOUR! That went like a tracer bullet! Marginally short, on top of middle, Travis Head makes room for himself by staying leg side and nails the square cut between cover and backward point for a cracking boundary.

Oh dear. Matheesha Pathirana has gone down in his followthrough. He is clutching his knees and hamstring and Angelo Mathews on air suspects that it is a hamstring issue. It looks very bad and the physio is out in the middle. Doesn't look like Pathirana can continue. At least for now. And PATHIRANA IS HOBBLING OFF THE FIELD. Dasun Shanaka will complete the pending over.

Matheesha Pathirana to Mitchell Marsh, Good effort! A touch fuller than the previous ball. On a length, outside off, Marsh presses back, lets his hands through the shot toward widish mid off. The fielder there dives to his left, makes a half stop and the ball is parried to the cover fielder who charges to his right in the ring. They get a single.

Matheesha Pathirana to Travis Head, On middle, on a hard length, Head waits on the back foot, and steers it to deep backward point for a run.

Matheesha Pathirana to Travis Head, At 132.5 kph, on a good length, on leg, Travis hops and nudges it to mid-wicket with soft hands.

Matheesha Pathirana to Travis Head, WIDE! At pace this time around, but a bit too wide and beyond the tramline, outside off. Head ignores. Wide called.

Matheesha Pathirana to Travis Head, BEATEN! Pace off immediately by Pathirana, full and outside off, Travis Head throws his bat at it, trying to smash through covers, but misses to connect.

One-over spells? Absolutely. Here's Matheesha Pathirana.

Maheesh Theekshana to Mitchell Marsh, Short, outside off, punched towards mid off.

Maheesh Theekshana to Travis Head, A misfield now. Outside off, Travis punches it straight to backward point who fumbles and Head's loud 'NOOO!' turns into a single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Travis Head, FOUR MORE! Better shot this time. A touch short, outside off, Head rocks back and punches it between point and cover, for consecutive boundaries.

Maheesh Theekshana to Travis Head, EDGED, FOUR! Tossed up, slightly wide outside off, pretty full, Travis Head gets down on a knee and looks to play his favourite slog sweep. But it is a slower ball, around 96 kph and the batter is early into his shot. Gets a massive top edge which flies over the vacant slip region to the deep third fence!

Maheesh Theekshana to Travis Head, The carrom ball, on middle, Head looks to punch but is cramped for room and mistimes it back to the bowler.

Maheesh Theekshana to Travis Head, Full, around middle, angling down, Travis Head leans and pushes it towards mid on but the bowler cuts it off to his left.

Jeez, that's a big first over for the visitors. But mind you, they got off to a rollicking start against Zimbabwe as well. 'Bring on spin', says Angelo Mathews on air and he has his wish. Maheesh Theekshana to bowl.

Dushmantha Chameera to Mitchell Marsh, SIX! MUSCLED! Fractionally short by Chameera, on off, Mitchell Marsh plays from the crease and clubs it sweetly over long on for a cracking six. A flying start for the Aussies. 16 runs from the opening over.

Dushmantha Chameera to Travis Head, A slight appeal for LBW, but the umpire walks away! Pitched in and around the leg stump, on a good length, shaping back in. Travis Head is tucked up for space and tries to work it across the line on the back foot. Gets a thick inside edge and is rapped on the thigh pad. The ball then deflects to short third and they get a run.

Dushmantha Chameera to Travis Head, FOUR! That's some way to get the first runs! Too full from Chameera, trying to get the inswing, but he errs in line as it is speared on the pads. Travis Head picks it up neatly and whips it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Dushmantha Chameera to Mitchell Marsh, A fraction fuller, on the stumps, Marsh firmly knocks it to mid on and steals a quick single.

Dushmantha Chameera to Mitchell Marsh, FOUR! Australia and Marsh are off the mark! On a back of a length, shaping away outside off. Mitchell Marsh gets to free his arms and square cuts it through backward point, beating deep third's dive to his right for a boundary.

Dushmantha Chameera to Mitchell Marsh, A bit of a movement as Chameera is right on the money! Gentle outswing on a length, on off, Mitchell Marsh gets behind the line and bunts it to the off side.

Apa Sriiiiiii Lankaaaa, namo namo mathaa - Yes, those golden lines. Every Sri Lankan in the crowd is chuffed to bits. The national anthems have been sung and the home side is ready.The crowd is ready. Is the visiting side ready? The Lankans get into a huddle, and then disperse out. Past them, out come the Aussie opening pair of Travis Head and skipper Mitchell Marsh. Dushmantha Chameera will take the new ball in his hand and look to swing the ball upfront. Marsh to face. Here we go!

National anthems - The match officials and the two teams walk out for the anthems. It will be Australia's first, followed by that of the Lankans.

Just lean to our strengths - A few minutes before the toss, ace broadcaster Mark Howard caught up with Australia's TIM DAVID. The first question asked is the discussion after the Aussie loss to Zimbabwe, to which David calmly replies saying that it was just one of those games where things didn't go to plan. Adds that it is now about shifting their focus to this game, which is a big one. Does not feel it is a knockout for his side though. On the mantra for the turnaround, Tim says that the advice for the players is to just lean into their strengths and look at how they have played in the last 18 months. Further says that tonight is an opportunity to show that. On the pitch expectations, TD says that some of the Aussies had a hit out here last night and liked the pace. Expects the pitch to spin a little bit in the subcontinent. On being told that he started batting in T20s at 8, then moved upto 7 and is now at 4, which is a hefty promotion, Tim David agrees and says that he is absolutely enjoying his promotion. Calls it more responsibiity and more opportunity for him to score runs and put the team in a good position.

Every game in the World Cup is big - The skipper of Australia, MITCHELL MARSH, is first asked about his health. To which, Marsh smiles and says that all is okay and he is ready to go tonight. On this being a potential knockout for the Aussies, Mitch admits that it is but quickly adds that every game in the World Cup is a big one. The Bison honestly adds that the Aussies weren't at their best in the previous game and are looking forward to implement their learnings from that loss and be a lot better in this game. On the team changes, the skipper informs that himself, Cooper Connolly and Xavier Bartlett come in.

One of the most important games - The captain of Sri Lanka, DASUN SHANAKA, calls this as one of the most important games in the competition (for Sri Lanka) and is looking forward for the same. On the team news, Shanaka informs that they are going in with one change, with Kusal Perera coming in for Kamil Mishara. Short and sweet interview.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera (IN FOR KAMIL MISHARA), Kusal Mendis (WK), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (C), Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera and Matheesha Pathirana.

Australia (Playing XI) - Mitchell Marsh (C) (IN FOR MATT RENSHAW), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim David, Josh Inglis (WK), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Cooper Connolly (IN FOR BEN DWARSHUIS), Xavier Bartlett (IN FOR MATTHEW KUHNEMANN), Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa.

TOSS - All set for the spin of the coin. Big news. MITCHELL MARSH IS BACK. Dasun Shanaka is with him. Shanaka will flip the coin, while Marsh will call. Heads is the call from the Bison, but it is a tail. SRI LANKA CHOOSE TO BOWL.

PITCH REPORT - Australia's giant, MATTHEW HAYDEN, takes a few steps towards the deck. But nay, he is not giving his insights on the pitch. He informs about the conditions, stating that it is cool and there is a good breeze blowing across. On the ground dimensions, Haydos informs that the ones on the square read 66 and 68 but the one down the ground is 80 metres. Along comes Sri Lanka's World Cup champion from 1996 - RUSSEL ARNOLD. Straightaway says that there are lots of runs here. Calls it the best pitch to bat on, in Sri Lanka. Informs that in the only game played at this venue in this World Cup, the Lankans scored 225 with ease against Oman. Arnold further informs that water has been sprayed around, the deck has been rolled on and there is a nice covering of grass. Knocks on the pitch and gets a strong noise, meaning that the strip is rock hard. Opines that the ball will come onto the bat. Hayden seems a bit surprised and asks him about the turn expected from the deck. To that, Russel replies the pitch will be on the slower side but it will still be good for batting. Expects the conditions to stay the same across both innings. Informs that 172 is the average winning score in the first innings in the last 10 matches at this venue, and feels that anything around that mark should be good for the side batting first to win.

England win, qualify for Super Eights - A 24-run win it is then, to confirm the 2022 champions' position in the Super Eights. They become the first team to enter Group Y, while West Indies, South Africa and India await the fourth team in Group X. After a pretty indifferent batting display took England to 202/7, riding largely on Will Jacks' blistering unbeaten 53 (22), his first ever in T20Is, three-fers from Jamie Overton and Sam Curran ensured that Italy were stopped at 178.

Number 4 joining the bandwagon - Almost there, are England. Having pounded a mammoth 202/7 against newbies Italy at the Eden Gardens, they have reduced their neighbours to 173/7 after 18 overs, meaning that Italy need 30 runs from 2 overs, when the reports last came in. A victory for the English would give us our fourth team in the Super Eights, after West Indies, India and South Africa, additionally closing Group C out, while a Lankan victory tonight would make it the Super Five in the Super Eight. You can catch the finishing touches to that game in our matchcentre for that clash but please do bounce back here soon, for the toss and team details.

Another flat deck? That's what the numbers seem to say. Usually, Pallekele provides a lot of runs, which was evident from the Sri Lanka-Oman clash, but in the bilateral series before that, the curator managed to get a lot of spin from the deck, making it slow and low. Rumours are coming in that the curator has left no grass on the surface, which means that it could be a dry track on offer for tonight. Historically, the ground favours the side batting first, but it has been an overcast day here and because of that, one might see dew play a significant role, possibly prompting the captain winning the toss to chase.

Desperate measures - Not surprisingly, with their campaign on the line, Australia are leaving no stone unturned to get their best possible XI on the field. News has filtered in that skipper Mitchell Marsh is doing his level best to be fit for this game, while STEVE SMITH has joined the squad in Pallekele, AS A REPLACEMENT FOR JOSH HAZLEWOOD. The problem for the Aussies though, is that it is not just one issue. Their woes against spin have been well documented, but their bowling lacked the teeth against Zimbabwe too. Unlike their batting, which can be argued to have some experience, in the absence of 'The Big Three', their bowling is clearly looking for answers and advice. Adam Zampa is a senior member, being part of the victorious 2021 campaign and being on a roll for the last 5-odd years, but even he was found wanting against the Rhodesians. Might be just one bad game, but that's what this format is all about - one bad game could cost you the tournament, just as it happened with them during their attempt at a title defense at home in 2022, where one bad match against New Zealand literally pushed them out.

Another under-par ICC tournament loading? Rarely do we associate the term underpar with Australia and World Cups. However, a closer look at the T20 format will reveal that while the Aussies have dominated ODI World Cups, winning 6 out 13 editions and reaching the finals in 8 of those, the shorter version is anything but close to that. In 9 editions of the Men's T20 World Cup, they have won just 1 and reached finals twice. In fact, the Kangaroos reached the semifinal of the inaugural edition, but have managed to get to that stage only 4 times. Delving further - 2009, 2014, 2016 (the last time the tournament was held in India) and 2022 - in these four editions, the Team In Yellow have been bounced out in their first round itself. Is 2026 going to be the fifth instance? A loss tonight does not officially eliminate them, but it will make their progress to the next round tougher and Zimbabwe's easier.

... MATCH DAY ...

The game of uncertainties that is cricket - If Group B were a straight road, Australia would’ve been cruising in the fast lane with the windows down. But cricket prefers banana peels to smooth highways. That skid against Zimbabwe was the kind no one saw lying around, and now the Aussies are dusting themselves off with the road suddenly feeling a lot less certain. Australia now sit third, looking up at both Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The equation is simple on paper and unforgiving in reality. Win both, or leave the door ajar for everything to unravel. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, arrive from a different place entirely. A narrow escape against Ireland tested their composure, but what followed was authority. Oman were swept aside with a precision that did more than just secure points - it sent a message. Their net run rate now towers above the rest. A win will confirm their Super 8 berth and keep them at the summit of the group. Australia at the edge of recalibration - Undermanned to begin with, Australia’s campaign arrived carrying more strain than certainty. Injuries had already thinned their balance in both batting and bowling before a ball was bowled, and that fragility has only felt more pronounced. The heaviest blow came when Mitchell Marsh was sidelined in the opening games with testicular bleeding, leaving a leadership and structural void. Out of rhythm at the wrong time - Coupled with the injuries, inconsistency has crept into Australia’s batting, with several key names struggling for rhythm. A closer look only underlines the concern - 1. Josh Inglis - Just one half-century in his last ten T20Is. 2. Travis Head - Yet to register a T20I fifty since September 2024, averaging around 13 in 2025. 3. Glenn Maxwell - An average of 22.91 since the last T20 World Cup, with one fifty-plus score. A glimmer of hope? Despite the struggles, it is not all doom and gloom for the Aussies. Brought in to handle spin and slower surfaces, Matt Renshaw has offered much-needed stability in the middle order, and his composed 65 against the Chevrons was a timely reminder of his value. Alongside him, Marcus Stoinis has been quietly reliable, holding things together when the innings has threatened to drift. And if Steve Smith is drafted in, it could just provide the batting unit with the control and assurance it has been missing. And with the ever-dangerous Tim David back from injury, Australia get back a presence they had been missing at the death. The 2021 champions’ bowling unit remains unsettled heading into the clash with Sri Lanka. Ben Dwarshuis returned figures of 0 for 40 in his four overs after coming in for Xavier Bartlett, who had earlier gone at 11 an over against Ireland. With little control on offer, a shift towards spin remains a viable option, especially with Cooper Connolly also missing the previous game. Momentum, with minor disruptions - Despite much falling into place, Sri Lanka have not been entirely spared. The early loss of Wanindu Hasaranga, ruled out after the opening game with a left hamstring tear, has forced a shift in balance, leaving Maheesh Theekshana to shoulder the bulk of the spin responsibility. Yet, if there is one area where Sri Lanka rarely feel short-changed, it is spin. The depth may vary in impact, but not in availability. The batting firepower - Much like their bowling, the Sri Lankan batting lineup has appeared fairly settled. Twin fifties from Kusal Mendis, along with key middle-order contributions from skipper Shanaka and Pavan Rathnayake’s quickfire 60 off 28 balls against Oman, ensured they posted a strong total and kept the momentum firmly in their favor. Yet beneath these positives, there runs an undercurrent of fragility in their opening partnerships. Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka have put together just 28 and 15-run stands in this World Cup. A closer look at Nissanka’s recent form exposes a subtle pattern of unfulfilled potential. Four scores above 20 in his last five innings, but none significantly substantial. The Pallekele puzzle - A thumping win over Oman at this venue has put Sri Lanka as firm favorites to move to the Super 8. But in Pallekele, they have a very middling record of 11 wins and as many defeats. In fact, in their last 10 matches here, they have managed victory in only three games. For Australia, this marks a return to Pallekele after nearly four years, having last played a T20I here in 2022. Overall, they have played four matches at the venue in this format and have lost three of them in an overall head-to-head that reads them lead by 15-10 against the Lankans. Deep diving further, Australia have won four of the five meetings against the Lankans in T20 World Cups, with their only loss coming in Nottingham in the 2009 edition. Team form (Last 5 T20Is, recent first) -  AUSTRALIA - LWLLL | SRI LANKA - WWLLL. What do the records say? Unlike Colombo, Pallekele has actually been quite a batting friendly venue. And by digging the numbers of the last 10 matches, it paints a clear picture. The average first inning score in the last ten matches here is in north of 200, with the 200-run mark breached four times in that span. With the highest successful chase here being 178, and a decent drop off after that, it is clear that the team that bats first holds a slight upper hand. With a lot at stake, this promises to be a T20 World Cup classic. Let’s hope for a banger of a game.