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Welcome to Wisden’s match centre for the live coverage of the Australia v Sri Lanka T20 World Cup 2021 fixture – follow this space for live updates from the ground in Dubai, including commentary and score, along with where to watch details: TV channels, broadcast and live streaming for Aus vs SL.

Australia vs Sri Lanka: Live scorecard and stats.

Summary: Warner, Finch carry Australia to comfortable win

Australia v Sri Lanka – Live blog and updates from Dubai

Easy in the end for Australia, who make it two in two with a comfortable chase, led by Warner, Finch, and wrapped up by Steve Smith. Sri Lanka will have to take a long, hard look at their powerplay strategy: they could have done better by bringing both spinners early on together. The seamers couldn’t contain the opening pair, and at 70-0, the game was already comfortably in Australia’s grasp.

David Warner has played in the most men's T20Is (83) for batters who've batted in every game they've played.#T20WorldCup

— Mark Puttick (@GryllidaeC) October 28, 2021

Update: Smith and Stoinis have taken up from where Warner left, continuing to punish the Sri Lanka seamers who have now lost all their colour. Ideally, Hasaranga should have been brought into the attack much earlier, for he did do some damage, but only after Finch and Warner had put Australia on course.

Over 14: Australia 124-2, Warner takes Australia towards finishing line

It’s almost over for Sri Lanka, unless…no, looks like that’s it. Sri Lanka’s quicks have been guilty of being erratic, feeding Warner & Co either too short, or too full lengths. Smith, too, has appeared comfortable in the middle, feeding off Warner’s power-packed game.

Over 10: Australia 95-2, Warner motors along after Finch’s departure

Advantage Australia, well and truly. Hasaranga has done really well to give Lanka a semblance of a chance, but with Smith and Warner in the middle and a whole lot of batting to follow, run-a-ball is obviously not a problem from here.

Over 8: Australia 76-1, Hasaranga sends back Finch to end big opening stand

Why was Hasaranga not brought into the attack earlier? Here’s the wicket they wanted -Finch back – and they’ve made some sort of re-entry into the game. Theekshana is keeping the pressure on from the other end. That said, Warner has racked up some useful runs here. Welcome signs.

Update: Oh dear, a dropped catch, and it’s the easiest offering you’ll get from these two. The ball just bobbled out of his hand, slipping out, just like the opportunity for Lanka. Why are the spinners being held back?

Over 4: Australia 45-0, Rousing start by the opening pair

What Sri Lanka have offered so far is right down Finch and Warner’s alley – on this pitch, testing them with pace wouldn’t really do much. Finch has been especially belligerent so far, picking up the pace well, and dispatching looseness over the infield with ease. 2,500 T20 runs for him too.

Over 2: Australia 15-0, Finch, Warner press for a strong start

Theekshana is going to be such a key weapon for Sri Lanka tonight, and possibly their way to get one of Finch or Warner out early. Warner particularly doesn’t enjoy spin early, and Theekshana could end up making either of these play a lofted stroke into dangerous territory.

Back with the chase.

Over 2o: Sri Lanka 154-6, Rajapakse carries SL close to 160

Rajapakse has done well to get Sri Lanka out of a hole and leave them close to a 160-run total, a milestone that looked far and away when they were tottering on 99-5. To their credit, Australia didn’t do anything fundamentally wrong – barring the 17th over, they did keep things tight.

While this is a fresh surface, it won’t be easy for Australia to hunt down this one.

Over 17: Sri Lanka 128-5, Rajapakse looks to finish strong

Rajapakse is playing a lovely little cameo here. Stoinis’ gentle pace is useful on these pitches, but the batter is brilliantly working his angles and playing the ball around, while also playing the odd aerial shot. 26 off 17…can he take SL close to 155 from here?

Okay so, six bowlers have been used, and we’ve got four overs to go. From the looks of it, the rest of the overs should be shared by Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and… Stoinis? Maxwell bowled just one, unlikely he’ll bowl any more.

Over 15: Sri Lanka 105-5, Shanaka-Rajapakse look to rebuild

From 78-1, Sri Lanka have stumbled to 105-5. Zampa did really well to pepper then with googlies, while Starc looked really good in his second spell. They still have enough overs to come close to 150, but there’s still plenty of work to do for these before they get close. Rajapakse is looking good here, trying to keep the runs flowing.

The 144kph ball which dismissed Kusal Perera is the second fastest ball to ever dismiss the Sri Lankan. #T20WorldCup #AUSvSL

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) October 28, 2021

Over 12: Sri Lanka 90-4, Zampa joins the party!

Zampa’s wrong un’s are proving to be difficult to pick for the left-handed Rajapakse here. Avishka, too, tried to take him on, but ends up splicing one in the air. Ideally, they should have played him out before taking on one of the quicks. Either way, there was no need to play that stroke given the healthy run-rate.

And oh, Mitchell Starc is back to bowl his second. Australia looking to press on the pause button here. And he snares Perera with an inch-perfect yorker!

Sri Lanka’s middle order will be tested thoroughly here. The top order did well to lay a solid foundation, but Starc still has two overs to go after this. Finch has done fairly well in mixing up his bowlers, but all credit to Asalanka and Perera for doing what they did. Perera did well to build some momentum after a relatively sluggish start.

Over 9: Sri Lanka 75-1 – Zampa breaks Asalanka, Perera stand

This is some quality hitting from these two left-handers. Anything full is creamed through covers; anything short is pulled with disdain. Zampa, however, comes in and makes the googly do the trick.

It’s worth remembering that one of the boundary sides is shorter today as the teams are playing on a surface different from the ones used so far.

A word on Zampa. He has been bowling extremely well this year, and has not conceded over 30 runs in his last seven innings, while taking a wicket at least in each.

Update: I feel the Australians have been guilty of bowling too full here. It’s been around the hitting arc for the Lankans.

Some leg spin now with Zampa in. They’ve been playing pace well, and the partnership needs to be broken.

Perera has partly joined the party, and is following in the footsteps of his fellow left-hander in chipping over the infield. It’s been solid, unrestrained batting from the Lankans so far, without the baggage of having lost an early wicket.

Over 5: Sri Lanka 46-1 – Asalanka takes charge in the powerplay

Sri Lanka (read Asalanka) have done really well to be not get pegged back by Nissanka’s early loss. Charith Asalanka has been his free-flowing self, unafraid to take on the infield. Australia would really be waiting for the powerplay to end to stop the run-bleeding.

Asalanka is warning up in style!

Asalanka is playing a gem here, targeting Glenn Maxwell, who has been (riskily) brought on in the powerplay. Nothing wrong with Maxwell per se, but brilliant hand-eye coordination from Asalanka (he’s also picking his spots well).

Sri Lanka lost the wicket of Nissanka, but that hasn’t stopped them from continuing to attack. First ball to Asanka carried a hint of bounce, and he latched on to it with a fierce pull past square leg.

Pat Cummins to bowl now. He averages a wonderful 20.52 with the ball in T20Is.

Over 2: Sri Lanka 11-0 – Starc, Hazlewood keep things tight

Starc and Hazlewood have kept things tight in the first two overs, barring a four off the last ball. Proper Test bowling lengths, little width – solid start. It’ll be interesting to see, though, as to how long Kusal Perera keeps silent. He loves to hit square either side of the wicket.

Pathum Nissanka is out in the middle alongside Kusal Perera. Starc to bowl the first over.

If Sri Lanka post a competitive total, it will be fun to watch how Australian batters tackle Theekshana and Hasaranga.

Sri Lanka have a good chance of winning this game actually. #T20WorldCup #AUSvSL

— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) October 28, 2021

Update: So then, we’re minutes away from live action. I, Aadya Sharma, will be bringing you all the updates from the ground. The flags have been placed in the middle of the stadium, and the anthems will commence shortly.

Maheesh Theekshana, one of the most exciting spinners going around, has taken his place back in the team in place of Binura Fernando.

So that’s that. Starc will be opening the bowling for Australia today. Not much is being said about this Australia team – they’ve got a bunch of superstars in their ranks, but have flown low under the radar so far. Can they make it to the top four? It’s a long road, but I am backing them to reach there.

Sri Lanka XI: Perera, Nissanka, Asalanka, Fernando, Rajapaksa, Shanaka, Karunaratne, Hasaranga, Chameera, Kumara, Theekshana

Australia XI: Finch, Warner, Marsh, Maxwell, Smith, Stoinis, Wade, Cummins, Starc, Zampa, Hazlewood

5:30pm local time: Australia win the toss and opt to bowl first. Starc is playing today.

5:25pm local time: The captains have exchanged their team sheets and are in the middle for the toss.

5:10pm local time: We are 20 minutes away from the toss – Adam Zampa is currently sending down his leggies, alongside David Warner’s twirlers on the far-side pitch.

Mitchell Starc, with a heavy strapping on his right knee, is measuring his run-up. He was part of practice yesterday, with Justin Langer giving his availability a thumbs-up earlier today.

4.50pm local time: Both teams are at the venue, warming up ahead of the game. Most of the SL players are stretching around, while a handful of Australian players are by the boundary side, getting a knock. Kane Richardson, with his flowing mane, is bowling in the middle.

4pm local time: We’re exactly two hours away from the only match of the day, between Sri Lanka, winners of the 2014 edition, and Australia, a team that has never won the title. Two teams, each with a win apiece so far, have plenty to fight for.

Australia v Sri Lanka live, T20 WC 2021 – Points table: Updated standings of each team so far.

T20 WC 2021, Australia v Sri Lanka – Where to watch: TV channels and live streaming

India

Star Sports Network: Star Sports 1 (and HD), Star Sports 2 (and HD), Star Sports 1 Hindi (and HD), Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports 1 Telugu and Star Sports 1 Kannada

Start time: 7.30pm IST

Sri Lanka

Star Sports, Siyatha TV; Siyatha TV website: www.siyathatv.lkOver 

Start time: 7.30pm (SLST)

Australia

Fox Cricket: Fox 503, Fox 505, Fox More +; Foxtel GO, Foxtel NOW, Kayo Sports

Start time: 12am (+1, Canberra ACT)

UK

Sky Sports: Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Mix; Sky Sports app, www.skysports.com

Start time: 3pm (BST)

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