Transcript of the Commentary - Sri Lankan Innings

Prem: streak again, to zoysa, again the hyorker on off and zoysa pushes, streak flings himself to his left, stops it, turns, throws the stumps down with zoysa out of his crease, that was lightning fast reaction and sri lanka end on 195, all out. with which, shutting down, back in 40 minutes.

Prem: 3.95 the run rate, four balls left, zoysa on strike, streak with the ball. lovely abll, saw zoysa moving to leg, streak banged it in at his feet, yorker length, nothing the batsman could do a bout that one.

Prem: streak outside off, dharma on drives, one more.

Prem: streak, last over, the batsmen crossed over on that one and zoysa on strike. full toss on off, played to point, they run a very risky single.

Prem: one over left, one wicket left, and lanka 7 short of the 200 mark and about 63 short of a really good total. full toss first up, dharma slashes, up in the air and caught at point but akthar decides that is over the waist, no ball called.

Prem: full toss outside off, driven through cover, two to zoysa there to end the over.

Prem: yorker length again, dharma digs it out, single to midwicket.

Prem: yorker, off drive, one to zoysa.

Prem: nuwan zoysa the last batsman, facing evans, four balls to go in this over, fuyll toss agin, driven to mid off, no run.

Prem: next ball, full length on off off, mahanama was stepping away to leg to hit to extra cover, bit of inswing beats the shot and back goes off stump.

Prem: Evans will continue here, mahanama getts a full toss, flicks it round, gets the single and two for it, that is a very good 50 to mahanama and that one was a no ball as well.

Prem: streak to mahanama, last ball of the 48th, good length on off, played to midwicket, single.

Prem: streak to dharma, yorker on off, driven, finds the fielder but running with teh shot gets him one more.

Prem: 3.83 the run rate, streak to dharma, another heave, again just one bounce, but an awkward bounce at midwicket, evans, so two for it.

Prem: streak to mahanama, and again, the drive, again mistimed, flaring off the edge, one drop in front of point, single.

Prem: dharma on strike now, to streak, angular run, angles it in with a bit of late swing, dharma on drives, single.

Prem: new over, streak, and mahanama has an almighty heave, ball flaring off the outer edge, one to backward point.

Prem: evans to mahanama, forces the defennsive push with one that comes in off the seam. last ball of the 47th, on off, played to mid on, signle to end the over.

Prem: The last boundary came 90 deliveries ago, tribute to how tight the bowlers have been. mahanama and dharma still forced to puush and run, there is no leeway in the bowling for any kind fo strokeplay, evans the bowler here into the 47th.

Prem: AGAIN the attempt to go to off and play to leg, hit on the pad, appeal, close one that but javed akthar rules against it, another leg bye.

Prem: again an outstanding stop at point, keeps a mahanama push down to just the single.

Prem: streak now to dharma, outsdie off, driven, finds mid off close, no run. dharma was supposed to sit this one out after his nightmare with the ball yesterday, but chandana not reporting fit meant he got another shot herre. streak, on middle and leg, the flick misses, again across the line, again rapped on the pad, this time drifting to leg so no problem. leg bye.

Prem: ball two, outside off, mahanama glides to third man, one more.

Prem: campbell not missing a single trick here, streak coming back into the attack, to mahanama, yorker length ball first up, dug out to midwicket, no run.

Prem: 171/8 in 45 sl, and with five overs to go, evans has just come up with his first over, two wickets for just one run.

Prem: evans to mahanama, ball two is on driven for the single, evans like the others bowling tight, wicket to wicket, here. ball three, sweera across the stumps, way down to off, tries to hit on the on, misses, full length there, rapped on the pad and another lbw, and not one of those decisions questionable.

Prem: tight off side field, very good fielding, drying up the singles has meant the lankans have had to hit across the line and take risks, the zim bowlers bowling wicket to wicekt, close to the crease, and getting 5 batsmen trapped in front here -- good work all around, by the captain, the bowlers, fielders.

Prem: evans to mahanama, ball two is on driven for the single, evans like the others bowling tight, wicket to wicket, here. ball three, sweera across the stumps, way down to off, tries to hit on the on, misses, full length there, rapped on the pad and another lbw, and not one of those decisions questionable.

Prem: into the 45th, herre, and there comes craig evans to bowl, zimbabwe showing a lot of depth in the bowling department here.

Prem: whittall this time almost yorks mahanama, the batsman manages the push for the single to midwicket, 170/6 in 44.

Prem: whittall continues, into the 44th here and the offie bowling his last over. should see brandes back, he has three overs to go to finish his quota, and he was very conrtrolled in his first spell. singles to both batsmen, here, sweera attempting a dab down to third man, great stop at short third man keeps it to one.

Prem: strang, faster through the air, a predetermined paddle gets mahanama two more.

Prem: strang, faster through the air, a predetermined paddle gets mahanama two more.

Prem: sweera fluent on the cover drive, singles being worked per ball, here, but at this point, they need far more than singles to really challenge the side batting second.

Prem: 8 overs to go, and lanka needing at some point to try for the odd big hit. strang continues, and mahanama cuts, gets one.

Prem: whittqall, keeps mahanama quiet with the faster ball. ball four, quicker through the air again, mahanama looking for the gap at midwicket, only manages to edge onto his pds. ball five, flicked, finds midwicket, great stop, no run, whittall in immaculate control here. last ball, to mahanama, single behind point.

Prem: whittall contiues and mahanama playing with the turn, gets one more. ball two, of the 42nd, sweera lunghing forward, playing with soft hands, riding the turn and getting one behind point.

Prem: mahanama going at 32 off 43, with nice placements for singles and s'weera has been keeping him company here, rotating strike, strang to mahanama, the paddle gets one more to end the 41st at 167/6.

Prem: strang to mahanama, who tries a cutie-poo leg glance, aiming very fine, gets in all inds of trouble as that one kept coming in at him with the arm, finally gets the dicey single. strang to s'weera, now, floating on up outside off, single with the drive.

Prem: one ball left in the over, outside off, finds midwicket with the push off the hips, no run. 152/6 in 40, SL from being 70/3 in 15 -- 82 runs added in 25 overs.

Prem: both batsmen playing the offie with the turn to work the singles, here, three off the first three balls, whittall now to s'weera, on off turning in and played defensively.

Prem: whittall now being brought back, with lanka going at 3.82 p[er over, he has three overs to go, sweera and mahanama start off with singles. brings up the 150 of the lankan innings.

Prem: strang to sweera, lovely ball that, pitched middle, turned to off, sweera finds point with the push, no run.

Prem: strang to mahanama, an inside out drive but finds extra cover, fielder inside the circle, no run. ball five, coming well forward, the paddle, one more.

Prem: strang, annd sweera flays at it, ball flying off the edge and lucky to find it landing just short of point, no run. ball two, turns away and sweera pokes at it, beaten by the turn. ball three, flighted, off driven, single.

Prem: on off and played to mid on, single. last ball, the off drive gets sweera one more.

Prem: goodwin to mahanama, on off, played to midwicket and another beautiful stop, this time from streak, no run.

Prem: 13 overs left in the innings and sl a good 100 runs short of what would be a reasonably acceptable first innings total on this track. sweera meanwhile pushing goodwin towards midwicket, gets one more. mahanama on drives, great stop on the line and two more to the batsman.

Prem: strang now to sweera, who tries to place past point, fails to beat the fielder. next ball, paddled fine, gets the single.

Prem: actually, some of the indians ARE sitting in the pavilion, watching, they will need to figure out how to tackle the zim bowlers tomorrow on a pitch that will be somewhat slower, t5he same one as used in the first game. strang continues, mahanama on sttrike and ball three off driven, single.

Prem: actually, some of the indians ARE

Dhirendra () Ankur >> Rajesh chouhan is playing in the Ranji trophy, Kambly is not 100 % fit. And Kuru.......... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ankur () If the Indians are watching this match thne they shoul dbe learning by the Zimbawe(especially Srinanth and Agarkar with the tight line and length these bowlers have held) Prem: both batsmen here resorting to touch and run tactics, which is the way to go here, since the line doesnt permit too many boudnary hits, sweera also looks quite well organised, with the bat.

Subhash (Subhash@essencesoft.com) Hi folks, Just joined the match. looks like SL in great trouble. Prem how could an experienced captain like Ranatunga yesterday ignore Vaas in the crucial stage. Can you find out if he was contacted by salim malik and the gang to throw away the match Prem: quick single to point ends the over. Sri lanka, 70/3 in 15, have added just 66 runs in 20 overs. and lost three into the bargain.

Prem: sweera's turn to push the single on the on side, next ball it is mahanama, driving to long on this time, another single.

Ankur () Jayasuria had lost his touch I think and all he is doing is closing hi seyes and saying gods name and trying to hit(kind of like Afridi) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dhirendra (Dhirendra@hotmail.com) Prem >> what is the criteria to select a man-of-the-match player? I have seen two match winning performances in near past. One from Harris(NZ) against ZIM in Dhaka and other from Agarkar(IND) against SLanka yesterday but they did not get the man-of-the-match-award. I am sure no body doubts that without thier superlative performance thier team would have surely lost the match. Prem: mahanama on strike here, and facing strang. bowling a good line here, floating it up on off, ball three is off driven, single.

Prem: five dot balls, not giving the batsman any pace for strokeplay, and off the last ball, sweera forced to defend again, so a maiden in the 34th, which is great work.

Prem: play resuming with goodwin to s'weera, after the break, on off and played defensively, sl going at 3.97 which, with 17 overs to go and onlyl 4 wickets in hand, is very bad for the world cup holders. goodwin on a very good line, wicekt to wicket, here, keeping the batsman quiet on off and middle and a full length.

Prem: and that IS drinks, so taking the breather here now.

PRAVEEN () Sri Lanka is poised to loose this match. This may turn over to be good for Indians. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ankur () by the way anyone know what has happened to Kambli and Chahun and Kuruvilla? Prem: s'weera forward, giving his pad to the ball, no problem as that was pitching off going away. ball five, pushed to mid on, again the fielder in quickly, no run. last ball, down the leg side, paddled, gets one.

Prem: mahanama hurried into a defensive push this time, as that one comes in sharply into him. ball three, pushed to mid on, single.

Prem: sorry, drinks held back for another over, so play continues. s'weera on strike to strang, gets to push the first one, rather clumisly, for one to mid on.

Dhirendra (dhirendra@hotmail.com) Morning folks !! surprise to knoe that ZIM is in top gear so far and SL is in back foot. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Venkat () This is a real Bowling game - the batsmen mere nine pins. Prem: and that is drinks, folks, taking a breathher here.

Prem: goodwin continues, to mahanama this time, driven but finds cover, goodwin bowling gentle seam up stuff here. ball five, mahanama turns to leg, single through midwicket.

Prem: goodwin to s'weera, onto the back fooot and single to midwicket.

Prem: goodwin to s'weera, onto the back fooot and single to midwicket.

Prem: goodwin to the new man, who is forward defending.

Prem: been doing that too often, ads, moving way to off to play to leg, that was wicket to wicket from goodwin and the minute he missed on the flick, he was gone. javed akthar this time getting it right, and samaraweera the new man in.

Ankur () The Lankans Ithink don't have the perfect bowling stregth they all use differ ones the best were:S.DeSilvs,Vaas,Murli,Dhrmasena and Jaya made a perfect pace and spin attack Prem: meanwhile a correction, SL were only 120/5 in 30 so only 50 were scored in the second 15 overs spell. murray goodwin into the attack, that one was close to the stumps, ads flicks, misses, rapped on the pad and he's gone, lbw for 55/68 and more problems for sl here.

Prem: bad ball from strang, outside off and cut away, misfield by wishart on the line behind point gives away the four. rare, that misfield, thus far the zim fielding has been very good.

Sudhanshu (sudhanshu_d@usa.net) Prem, do you think Johnson should be given a bowl in the middle of the lankan innings otherwise in the end he could prove to be mighty expensive? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ankur () I think the loss of wicket has finallt got to Sri Lanka since they have no exte batsman but pich hitters/tailenders Prem: strang brought back, mahanama drives, single to mid off. next ball, ads cuts dangerously off his stumps, finds the fielder, no run to point. ball three, attempting to go back and play to leg, cramped as that one bounces and turns in to him. ball four, played to midwicket. thus far, ads has had just 10 runs on the off side, which is quite something, here he goes again, sweeping, single.

Venkat () Not to worry, the Sri Lankans are decent cricketers they will ensure that Mahanama gives another catch behind, perhaps after 4 overs ! Prem: ads this time playing to point and racing the single, four off four balls this over, but whittall still proving hard to get away. mahanama makes it six off six, end of the over, 120/5 in 30 which means that between 15 and 30, there have been just 60 runs added.

Prem: ads sweeps, off middle stump, ads again involved in a mixup with mahanama in running between wickets, but finally goes through with it. mahanama again, off ball three, gets the one through midwicket.

Prem: whittall continues and mahanama gets the one out on the leg side, playing with the turn, good player of spin mahanama.

Prem: streak to ads, who slashes outsdie off, in the air but wide of the fielder, one more, ends the over.

Prem: mahanama very lucky there, he was caught on that one. single, next ball, to mahanama going through square leg. ball four, ads across flicking and missing, hit on the pad, lbw appeal, orchard shakes his head, that one could have been just missing leg.

Prem: streak to mahanama, down the leg, he flicks, there was a bit of a sound there, flower holds, but orchard calls the wide. that WAS wide, there was a nick, it was cleanly held but orchard calls the wide.

Prem: wide, next up, down the leg side.

Prem: 3.75 run rate and streak to mahanama, who moves to off, plays off his pads to midwicket, finds the fielder again. ball two, over number 29, outside off and a halfvolley, mahanama easily forward, driving through cover, fluent hit adn four all the way.

Prem: mahanama with a one handed push tto midwicket gets one more, he is reallly pushing the short singles here, ads not that fast between wickets, which is where the danger could come.

Prem: whittall and ads cuts very close to his body, they take off for the single, direct hit at the non-striker's end and ads dives to make his ground, that is his 50 but that last run was incredibly dicey.

Prem: whittall now to mahanama. 5-1-8-1 before this over, and a very quick single taken, mahanama pushing to mid on and running with the shot.

Prem: 3.7 the run rate, ads forward and working the ball with the turn, single behind square.

Prem: trouble for lanka is, on this track, with their bowling against the zimbabwe batting, they need at the very least 250 to pose a challenge. whhittall continues, and mahanama gets one more to midwicket.

SudhANSHU (sudhanshu_d@usa.net) Aravinda has to guide the Lankan innings...he can still lead them to a decent enough target...somebody should stick with him... BTW, Hi Prem Sudhanshu(B'lore) Prem: streak to mahanama, on off, played behind point for a single to end the over, another very good one for imbabwe.

Prem: venkat:: i thought the beginning was when they came here and had all kinds of problems, lucky to get away in tests... shook them a bit, and from then on they've been inconsistent. were winning everything till that point. wide, meanwhile, down the leg side, streak, again to mahanama and just outsie off, raps the batsman on the pad, no problem.

Venkat () Sri lankan's seem to be going down hill and at a decent rate at that - is th Prem: great captaincy here, campbell bringing 7 inside the ring, no singles being offered, mahanama under pressure, sl run rate 3.69. on off again and mahanama pushes to find cover, no run.

Prem: streak now to mahanama, who has this thing of going way across to off and playing to leg which makes him another candidate for the lbw. on off, played to point, finds the fielder, no run.

Prem: streak now back into the attack and d'silva drives, finds mid off, single.

Prem: Mahanama the new man in, played defensively, no run.ends a very good over from whittall, who has been really impressive today.

Prem: the two spinners have been keeping the batsmen under considerable pressure, no easy pickings to be had, so sooner or later, someone had to make the mistake -- happened to be ranatunga, lucky not to be run out some four overs earlier.

Prem: whittall, ranatunga sweeps, again finds the fielder placed for just that shot, no run. disciplined bowling performance thus far. and there goes ranatunga, went down the track, wanted to hit through cover, the ball turns away from him, flower collects and takes the bails off and he's gone, stumped by a mile.

Prem: 16 runs between overs 20 and 25 so again, the bowlers doing very well at this stage, just been 27 runs in the last 10 overs in fact, and whittall continues.

Prem: ball five, floated on a full length to ranatunga, pushed back down the track by the batsman. last ball, ranatunga down the track and a rare misfield, by strang on the follow through, permits the single.

Prem: ads sweeping again, this time the ball was leg stump, safer shot and single to backward square.

Prem: strang to ranatunga, down the track and driving, gets the single to long on.

Prem: strang continues, d'silvbba again tries to sweep across the line, hit on the pad, appeal, that one was close but could just have been missing off on the turn. ball two, played off the back foot, gets the single.

Prem: 3.81 the run rate just now, whittall again to ranatunga, last ball of the over, on leg and this time, the paddle very fine, not sure if he got a touch, two for it and yes, it is leg byes.

Prem: whittall to ads, who waits for the ball to turn and works the single out on the on side.

Prem: down the track this time, taken on the full and on driveb but a lovely diving stop by campbell keeps it down to one.

Prem: 15/42 to ranatunga, and again, the sweep but mistimed, no run. whitall to ranatunga, onto the front foot and played to square leg, no run.

Prem: whittall to continue, both spinners doing very well, here, bowling wicket to wicket, ranatunga this time defending to line of off.

Prem: ads sweeps, misses, ball pitches on his boot but well forward and on middle, the turn would have taken the ball away from the stumps so the umpire not interested in the appeal.

Prem: good line, on off, ranatunga defends. strang, ball 5, on off turning in and ranatunga helps it along towards square, single.

Prem: ranatunga this time forward, driving, good diving stop at midwicket keeps the batsman in his crease.

Prem: ball two, too much flight on it, ads takes it on the fulland drives, single to mid on.

Prem: strang to continue, with the run rate dipping under 4 an over here, ads defending to the ball on middle turning away from him.

Prem: last ball of the over, ads flicking through midwicket, just the one as the sweeper is in pretty quick, also seems to be some hesitation in the calling and running by these two today.

Prem: Patgar:: We are working on improvements, will take a few though. whittall meanwhile to ads, on off, nice flight, ads flicks, finds backward square, no run.

N I Patgar (PNarayan@dodsaldxb.co.ae) Prem It is nice to have a quick view of the earlier action if the important thigs are put in caps Prem: fielding's been top flight thus far, but their throwing a shade off the mark, both ranatunga and dsilva left off in the last two overs, both were clear run out candidates. ranattunga meanwhioe an insdie out drive from leg stump, single.

Prem: whittall to continue, ads waiting on the first ball, hitting with the turn but finds midwicket. next ball, played to the right of m'wicket, streak quickly across but his throw just fails to beat ranatunga.

Prem: lovely ball that, d'silva again defensive. ball six, floated on off, ads on his knee sweeping through midwicket, single.

Prem: ranatunga now on strike to the leggie, getting some nice turn here thus far, tends to toss it up, and generally keeps a good line. on middle, played to square leg, ranatunga wants the one, d'silva doesn't, and ranatunga just making his ground. ball three, flicked in the same direction and thist iem the single is on.

Prem: the leg spinner on a line of off this time, ads defends. ball two, flighted, ads rocks back and cuts, single through point.

Prem: 11 runs came between overs 15-20, tribute to some good bowling and very tight fielding by the zimbabweans. paul strang now replacing johnson, campbell rotating his bowlers very well at this point.

Prem: last ball of the 20th, on off and played defensively, no run.

Prem: whittall to ranatunga, again the sweep, again straight to short fine leg, no run,

Prem: next ball, fuller length and played to midwicket again, no run. whittall bowling well here, the fourth ball is on middle, worked off the hips with the turn, gets one.

Prem: whittall, and ranatunga works the single off the first ball, brings ads back on strike. Mahanama the only recognised batsman left in the hut, so if Flower had connected on that throw, lanka would have been in all kinds of bother. ranatunga looking to pull, not short enough, the turn further cramping him,thick bottom edge brings streak into the action at midwicket, no run.

Prem: johnson, over the wicket to ads, who goes across and flicks, gets it on the pad, then comes down the wicekt looking for a run, sent back, andy flower has the glove off and throws, no sign of ads in the frame but the ball missed the stump by a whisker there.

Prem: johnson, on middle and flicked, in the air but no problem, well short of the sweeper backward of square, single.

Prem: johnnson round the wicket, to ranatunga, angles itt in from wide of the crease, ranatunga was looking to come forward, changes his mind and pushes back.

Prem: 4.23 the run rate at the moment, johnson to ads, on middle and played off the pads, one more to square leg.

Prem: johnson continues, now around the wicket and ranatunga opens the bat face on the first ball, outisde off, runs it past point, single.

Prem: whittall, ball five, to ranatunga, on leg and the paddle finds short fine leg agian, no run. Ranatunga will now try to paddle it even finer, which could invite the top edge. next ball, outside off, driven to cover, single, just the one in the over.

Prem: Nice line, leg and middle, ranatunga forward and pushing his pad in the way of that one. ball four, floated in on off and ranatunga defends.

Prem: on leg this time, rnatunga sweeps and finds short fine leg, no run.

Prem: andy whittall now being given the ball, the offie to the left handed ranatunga, on off and played defensively.

Prem: D'Silva going 37/33, Rannatunga 8/22 and the innings in recovery mode at the moment courtesy the two most experienced of the lankan batsmen. ranatunga in fact debuted in the first ever official test thhe lankans played, so he's been there, done that, time out of mind.

Prem: johnson to ranatunga, on off, the batsman forward, nudging with a heavy bottom hand towards mid on, one more, to end the over.

Prem: on line of off this time, and ranatunga defends. slip in place for ranatunga to check that attempt to run the ball to third man. this one, quicker, ranatunga looking to flick, gets the inner edge onto pad, no run.

Prem: outside of this time, ads smashes through cover, but again, very good fielding, just the one to the sweeper who releases the ball very qucikly, keeps the batsman from going for the second.

Prem: johnson this time with the inswinging slower ball, ads flicks, finds midwicket, no run.

Prem: jhonson to ranatunga, outside off, hit through covers off the back foot, finds the sweeper, single.

Prem: great ball, on off and ads defends, that one was slower, held back very well, ads spotting it late and checking the drive he was walking into.

Prem: streak to ranatunga, one slip in place still which is good work from campbell, this one on leg, ranatunga flicks and misses, leg bye.

Prem: streak to ranatunga, who tries to work him to leg from outsdie off, leading edget takes it to mid off, great stop again by whittall running from cover, keeps ranatunga in his crease. ball four, the attempt to guide through to third man, but again, only finds point.

Prem: ads on strike, andstreak continues, ads lashes one towards cover, in the air but short of the fielder, no run. too much force being employed by ads on his shots on a track wehre the ball is not really coming on, though his leg side play is more flawless,m there is an example, leaning forward and guiding through midwicket, gets one.

Prem: It's the phase between 15-40 that Zim will need to watch out for, if these two are allowed to bat through and work singles around, then lanka will bat itself back into a good situation for a push at the end.

Prem: that's ddrinks and a break here for me, guys, be right back.

Prem: johnson, on off and ranatunga defends. 70/4 in 15, SL, moving on from 48/3 in 10.

Prem: much better, full length on off and ranatunga pushes back down the track.

Prem: outside off and too much width, ranatunga rocks back and slams it through point, four more, johnson straying way too much in his second spell and letting the lankans get out on bail here.

Prem: wide of leg again, again the flick but this time, sort fine, streak, makes a superb diving stop, just the single.

Prem: Johnson now coming back, for Brandes, and again, a wide to start off -- this boy showing the signs of inexperience, keeps trying for pace on a track that is not conducive for it, would do much better to bowl within himself and go wicket to wicket. again the drift to leg stump, and ads flicks, through backward square, four more.

Prem: that was a much better over from streak, ends the 14th.

Prem: problems with the sightscreen, so a bit of lull, now here comes streak, on off and ranatunga pushes to cover, no run. much better line now from streak, keeping it on one side of the crease.

Prem: ranatunga this time opening his bat face to the line around off, finds point, i would love to see campbell really pressure the skipper, keep another slip and have streak angle the ball across him, get ranatunga edging trying to dab down to third man, does that too often for his own good.

Prem: this time, ads pushing on the walk, hitting on the up to the line of off, finds mid on, they run with the shot and take the single.

Prem: streak, to ads, this time off and middle drifting to leg, and again, giving ads the opportunity to lean forward and flick through midwicket, two more.

Prem: streak continues, normally a very good bowler, been rather haphazard here, though. good one first up, on off and held back a fraction, ads checks his drive, finds mid off, no run.

Prem: ranatunga on strike, last ball of brandes' 7th, again the open bat face, this time finds point, no run.

Prem: ads, this time, onto the front foot and flicking wide of midwicket, gets one more.

Prem: brandes again, utside off, ranatunga launches it over cover -- or intends to -- but off the edge, flying in the air and bouncing just ahead of deep backward point. charmed life here for ranatunga.

Prem: brandes, and ranatunga trying to run it down to third man, silly shot to try really at this point, with the ball that close to his body, ball drops just short of campbell at slip.

Agni () Hi Prem... I think Zimbabwe's future(in this game atleast) is going to be evident here.. if they can break this partnership, that will be it. Prem: Zim here needs to keep the runs down, SL going at 4.58, bring that down under four and the batsmen will be forced to take increasing risks to up it again. ranatunga now on strike, brandes into his 7th, 6-2-17-3 thus far and that is outstanding work. ranatunga drives the second ball, on off, ball in the air and dropping just short of point, ranatunga opening his bat face too much on that shot.

Prem: Peter:: Yeah, Zim needs him to spearhead the bowling, very intelligent bowling. Streak, here, drifting to leg, keeps doing that each time he tries for that extra something in the air, ads clinically puts him away for four to fine leg to end the over.

Peter Cawood (brickdes@harare.iafrica.com) Well the "chichen farmer" is really bowling well .Hope he does not break down. Prem: streak lucky on that one, thought, the ball was short and wide and asked to be sent travelling. again, to ads, fifth ball of the over, on off annd the slower one, ads plays back to the bowler, no run.

Prem: Lnaka now 50/4, streak to ads, who on drives, finds the fielder, no run. very full length and line of off on that one, cramping the batsman on the attempt to pierce the onside field. streak again, to ads, short outside off, cut and finds point, again no run.

Prem: Streak continues, and ranatunga on strike and opening the bat face, that one went in the air and very close to the sole slip fielder, one more to third man.

Prem: lovely ball to end up, shortish on off and forcing the defenciive push, no run.

Prem: brandes now to ranatunga, shhort and lifting on middle and off and played to square leg, no run.

Prem: This is proving to be a brilliant spell from Brandes -- Jaya was lucky not to be given out caught behind off johnson before he had scored, but this time, no doubt about it, that ball was heading to the middle of middle stump. 49/4 sl brings the captain and vice captain together.

Mani (Chandram@wipsys.soft.net) Sanath and Arvinda have a point to prove...their concentration levels for this game will be pretty high...I am expecting a long partnership here.. Mani(B'lore) Prem: brandes again and this time, jaya is gone -- again, the ball straightening off the seam, bowled loose so it doesn't kick up, jaya tries the flick and misses and he's gone, plumb.

Prem: Brandes in for his sixth over, bowles to jaya, who pushes on line of off, finds cover. very very impressive, brandes with the ball, not bowling flat out but holding it back a bit, concentrating on line and length and variations on the movement. there he goes, the straight one followed by the inswinger, jaya was trying to hit through cover, the inward movement gets the inner edge and he finds shhort midwicket instead, no run. next ball, short and rising on off and played to point.

Prem: Brandes in for his sixth over, bowles to jaya, who pushes on line of off, finds cover. very very impressive, brandes with the ball, not bowling flat out but holding it back a bit, concentrating on line and length and variations on the movement. there he goes, the straight one followed by the inswinger, jaya was trying to hit through cover, the inward movement gets the inner edge and he finds shhort midwicket instead, no run. next ball, short and rising on off and played to point.

Prem: Peter:: well, they did damn good against us recently, when I saw them I figured they were getting their act together pretty well. Last ball, jaya cuts past point, gets the single, streak uncharacteristically erratic in this over.

Peter Cawood (brickdes@harare.iafrica.com) Thanks for your support.Zimbabwe must learn how to win. Prem: streak to ads, the slower ball on off, full toss, hit to mid off, no run. this over, streak making the mistake of bowling on both sides of the wicket, which means it is rather hard for the captain to know where to put his fielder. there he goes again, short on off and ads pulls, but now a fielder is out there waiting, just the one.

Prem: streak to ads, ball three, short outside off, the cut, uppish, but just part the diving fielder at point and through for four, 10 so far in this over helping lanka out of the hole for a bit here.

Prem: ads looking to take advantate of the space on the on side, again going way across to off and plays to midwicket, gets two for it.

Prem: 1 run in the brandes over is by any yardstick outstanding work. and now he has the equally parsimonious streak for company at the other end, lanka under a lot of pressure here with three in the hut. streak, just short, dsilva rocks back and hoists it over midwicket for four.

Prem: Lovely over thus far, four balls and ads forced to push them around, ball five from brandes, on off, ads trying to work it to leg, the chip, again getting the leading edge, almost finds mid on, which is how he got out yesterday. trying to whip that away, ads, but the ball here not really coming on for that shot. another lovely slower ball, on off, ads pushes to cover, they race a single.

Prem: again the slower ball on off, again calling for ads to drive, ads again forced to change his intent at the last moment and push defensively.

Prem: brandes continues, to ads, in the middle of a very fine spell here, this one outside off, inviting the drive, ads obliging, but checking the shot, spotting the late away movement, finds mid off, no run.

Prem: brandes, holds this one back and ads spots the change of pace, pushes to cover, no run.

Prem: Nice ball to end up, yorker and jaya plays it back, streak in this over coming up with three balls on that length, right on the batsman's toecaps. lovely line and length at this point.

mayuresh (mdeshpande@kanbay.com) cool prem, take your time. Anyhow we would be talking about some lasting principles not a daytoday problem. Great work though through rediff. Hats of to you and rediff in general. I've been an informal advertiser of your site all over my friend circles. Started shopping also. Anyway won't take your time much you have to do a mamoth job. Best luck. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- punit (punit@hotmail.com) I believe this is the game where Zimbabwe will make an upset Prem: ads now on strike, to streak. the zimbabweans impressive in the speed with which they recover after a diving stop, up again in a flash and that is taking away vital seconds form the batsman. ads meanwhile flicks, down to fine leg, that one was in the air but no leg slip there now, single.

Prem: streak to jaya, on off, played to cover and running with the shot, they get one more.

Prem: Huge job now for ADS and Jaya and meanwhile, Johnson replaced by the hugely experienced Streak. Yorker, first up, nice to see Streak sweating lightly first ball, that means he is nicely warmed up. Ball two, another attempted yorker, half volley when it gets there though, jaya drives through mid off and a long chase there for the fielder, but he does well to keep it down to just two, that was veryy quick on the release. streak, yorker, jaya plays back to the bowler.

Rajiv (rajiv_1972@hotmail.com) Sri Lankans seemed to have lost the winning touch! Prem: brandes to ads, on midle and he goes across to off, flicks it down to the fine leg fence for four, stroke fraught with risk because if he had missed, that was lbw number three but he got it exactly right, four more to end the over.

Prem: brandes to ads, on leg, the flick misses, off the pad behind the stumps, ads wants a run and jayasuriya fairly screams a no at him -- good thing too, andy flower was there in a flash, with his glove off and poised to throw. next up, slightly short, ads swings him around over midwicket, not really in the slot for the shot, got it on the bottom of the bat but with the field there untenanted, four.

Prem: what brandes is doing here is mixing up the swinging stuff with the odd one going straight through -- batsmen, including atapattu there, playing for the inswing and done by the ball keeping its line.

Prem: Brandes to Aravinda, on off and just short of length, ads squares up and defends.

Prem: 3/24 now with brandes 2/8, and lanka in all kinds of trouble.

Prem: mayuresh:: i have all mails sent me, keep them for two months before deleting, but not sure when i will be able to respond, given this kind of schedule. at the earliest, okay?

Prem: atapattu on strike now, and brandes continues, has looked very very good brandes, seeing him bowl after quite a while. and fist up, there goes atapattu. Again, full length, straightens it, a tentaive push by the batsman, struck on the pad and he;'s gone bye bye -- bang in front of middle.

Prem: i suspect johnson again is looking for that catch to leg slip, but not when you pitch it that full. end of the over, 10 in it.

Prem: bad line again, from johnson, the first bad over thus far, this one full on leg and jaya helps him along, down to the vacant fine leg region, four more.

Prem: johnson on leg this time, jaya plays off the pads, finds square leg, no run.

Prem: 14/2 in 5 is not exactly the kind of start the Lankans are used to, and it's going to take all their experience to get out of jail on this one. johnson continues, ball two is a bad ball, really, short and wide of off and jaya rocks back and hits on the up as the ball was climbing, powers it over square point for six. next ball, better line, bangg on off and full length, played forward.

Prem: brandes, short and lifting on off, lovely line to the left hander, has jaya on his toes pushing back down the track, very impressive thus far the two zim new ball bowlers, and some food for thought for the indians who will face them tomorrow. fuller length, on off, jaya again just the puhs, wide of mid off, single to end the over.

Prem: Hello, Peter, welcome, from an Indian who thinks Zim is shaping very nicely these days. Mayuresh, no sweat. Outside off this time, jaya guides through the covers, nice placement but no power and when Jaya holds back on the power you know he is not in prime touch, gets just the two, again a good run-down by the fielder and quick throw in. jaya this time flicks on line of middle, finds grant flower at midwicket, no run.

mayuresh (mdeshpande@kanbay.com) prem, if you can remember sorry for yesterday's a bit offending letter about the professionalism of the players, reaction to Ashwin's column. Prem: Brandes, on off and lifting into the batsman, played defensively.

Prem: I've not seen something like that since Srikkanth quit cricket, really -- having played the shot on the walk, kalu just casually turned, ambled back towards the crease. apparently it never occured to him that the fielder could throw down the stumps -- good thinking, sharp fielding and lanka 11/2. brandes continues to jayasuriya.

Peter Cawood (brickdes@harare.iafrica.com) Watch out Sri Lanka from a Zimbabwean Prem: And there's that fielding again and I think that is sheer idiocy -- kalu played to cover, another superb stop, kalu lazily walking back into his crease, the fielder spots it, lets fly with a direct hit and kalu short of his ground.

S.Manjunath (applemanju@hotmail.com) Hoping India to win in finals Prem: johnson, short and lifting on off, jaya dabs it down in front of mid off and races the single, nearly gets himself run out, whittall there was very quick from cover to run across and field and throw, the ball misses the stumps by a whisker.

Prem: lovely ball, this, middle cutting to off, jaya squared up and pushing back down the track, no gimme balls from either of these bowlers.

Prem: johnson again, this one outside off, the width jaya likes but his touch and timing are way off these days, he only manages to club it straight to point, no run.

Prem: Mayuresh:: Yeah, he can hit the ball pretty well, be good if he could concentrate on his batting a bit, has the potential to be a top class all rounder but tends to just go out there swinging. Johnson, meanwhile, continuing with Jaya on strike, full length, angled across and on off, jaya tries to cut, not quite the shot you want to play to that line, hits into the ground, no run. ball two, middle and off and draws the batsman forward, defending.,

mayuresh (mdeshpande@kanbay.com) prem, I enjoyed the game yesterday. Agarkar was too good for the islanders. Wasn't he? Prem: Brandes, to kalu, on off and played to point, finds the fielder again, no run, maiden and a wicket for brandes which at this point is very very good work.

Prem: Brandes to Kalu, on leg, slower ball, played to midwicket and finds the fielder, no run.

Prem: Interesting, Kaluwitharana coming out to bat, playing his 100th odi for SL and obviously sent out to get a move on, make use of the first 15. not too sure that is going to work, these blokes bowl very well.

PC () BTW, yesterday very few people notice how few extras the Indian bowlers gave away, few wides and no balls.. much fewer than the Lankans. Imporessive -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alok (kumaralok@hotmail.com) Chasing is not easy as we saw India chasing under flood lights. A score of 250 is hard to chase... Prem: Hiya, Mayuresh. Full length on this ball, gunawardene winds up and lets fly, the extra pace and the skid off the track -- sharjah pitches tend to be very shiny, glassy, and when the ball is new, the shine on the ball helps it skid through -- has the batsman hurried. and there goes the wicket, brandes this time bang on middle, gwardene flicks and misses, ball straightens, again skidding through and he's gone LBW, plumb in front.

mayuresh (mdeshpande@kanbay.com) hi prem, this is mayuresh. good to have you back in the commentry. Prem: I dont know, teams tend to underrate Zimbabwe but they are the side I would back to upset either India or SL -- of course, they are the only other side here, which is not what I mean. I mean, like, I would back Zimbabwe ahead of say the Kiwis to provide upsets. Brandes, slipping one easily through, keeping it low and skidding through, gunawardene pushes at it and very lucky to miss the edge. ball two, outside off going further, left alone, no run.

Prem: PC:: Give jaya width outside off, or pitch slightly short middle and leg and he is lethal. but not too good driving close to his body, so the natural line into off from around the wicket, or just short and lifting and leaving him on or around off, tucks the batsman up and has him in trouble and yes, i think the jungle telegraph has alerted all fast bowlers to this ploy. very tight over this from johnson, just the one off the bat and a life for jaya courtesy the umpire, last ball, on off seaming away, jaya lets it go, no run.

Would you say that teams are getting the measure of Jaya. He is no longer the slaugher force that he was. Still a very good bat though PC Prem: johnson to jaya, on leg leaving him, jaya flicks, andy flower holds, huge appeal but umpire javed akthar is unmoved -- but that was out, the edge very clear there.

Prem: ball two, nj to jayasuriya, on off and climbing and cramping the batsman, forces the defensive push. very good line thus far to jaya, by both bowlers.

Prem: jaya now on strike to neil johnson, the ex-natal pace bowler, quite nippy with a nice easy action, but doesn't have the accuracy of streak or even the variaty. but then, this is only his 3rd odi, and here he makes one lift at jaya opn off, ball goes over the shoulder, no ball called.

Prem: Johnson now to gunawardene who, after a tentative start, flowered against the indian quicks yesterday with some fine cover driving. a slip and leg slip in place, short fine leg being brought shorter and into the leg slip position here. Johnson, being used ahead of streak for the new ball, begins with a wide down leg stump. ball one, rebowled, is short and lifting, gwardene guides it behind point, single.

Prem: brandes bowling a full length on and around off, jaya not looking too comfortable out there just now and that ball, there was a bit of trickery involved I think, pitched leg and lifted, Jaya played off the hips, in the air, Brandes goes "catch it" at his short fine leg but that one was just wide of the fielder and four down to the fence. That seems to be the reason for that fielder, but this time, the ploy didnt work.

Prem: brandes, to jayasuriya, on off, flicked to leg and a great stop by streak at midwicket, quick release on the ball, no run.

Prem: brandes, ball four, to jaya and a beauty -- drew him forward, left him late, had jaya fending at it and lucky to miss the edge.

Prem: On off and lifting, nice line there from brandes and jayasuriya pushes back down the track.

Prem: Brandes to Jaya, with a slip in place, fired down the leg side and a wide called. Nice movement here though for the tall quick bowler, ball moving away off the seam.

Prem: PC:: Yeah, live throughout this tournament, I'll be here tomorrow. Brandes again, to Jayasuriya, around the wicket and on leg, turned around but finds a very short fine leg. no run.

Prem: Jayasuriya taking first strike here, meanwhile, the performance of Zimbabwe in the field is one of the things to look for during the first half of the match -- those guys rank among the best sides today, and give a real edge to their bowling. Here we do, Brandes to Jayasuuriya and first up, rapped on the pads.

Prem: Interestingly, Sri Lanka first announced that Dharmasena, who was incredibly expensive yesterday against India, would be replaced by Upul Chandana. But just before game time, the announcement is that Chandana is still not 100% fit, so Dharmasena gets another go. For Zimbabwe, the big news is the return of Eddo Brandes to partner Heath Streak with the new ball.

Prem: Alistair Campbell, on why he is batting second: "Sri Lanka love to chase so we thought we would spoil their party on that one. And the pitch looks good, so we are backing ourselves to chase.

Prem: Good afternoon, all, just to remind you that we will be live with game two of the Coca Cola Cup, between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, in 45 minutes from now.

Prem: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Live! from 1600 hours IST.

Continued