Man-of-the-match Peter Siddle finished with nine wickets as Australia crushed Sri Lanka by 137 runs on the final day of the first Test in Hobart.
The home side took six wickets in the final session to dismiss the stubborn tourists for 255 with 10.4 overs remaining.
Siddle snared four second-innings scalps to finish with overall figures of 9 for 104, while Mitchell Starc's 5 for 63 saw him finish with six in total.
Australia now leads the three-match series 1-0 heading into the Boxing Day Test.
Look back on how we covered the final day in Hobart (all times AEDT).
K. Sangakkara 63
T. Samaraweera 49
D. Karunaratne 30
M. Starc 5-63 (28.2 overs)
P. Siddle 4-50 (26 overs)
S. Watson 1-54 (27 overs)
D. Warner 68
M. Clarke 57 (ret hurt)
E. Cowan 56
R. Herath 5-96 (21.5 overs)
C. Welegedara 3-89 (22 overs)
S. Eranga 1-52 (11 overs)
T. Dilshan 147
A. Mathews 75
P. Jayawardene 40
P. Siddle 5-54 (25.3 overs)
N. Lyon 2-76 (25 overs)
B. Hilfenhaus 1-30 (12.2 overs)
Australia 5-450 dec. (131 overs)
M. Hussey 115*
P. Hughes 86
M. Clarke 74
C. Welegedara 3-130 (26 overs)
S. Eranga 1-90 (25 overs)
T. Dilshan 0-30 (7 overs)
7:30pm: That's it from Bellerive. It took some doing, but Australia's finally recorded its first Test win of the summer to go 1-0 up in the race for the Warne-Muralidaran trophy. Be sure to join us tomorrow week, when we'll bring you live coverage of the Boxing Day Test. Bye for now.
7:20pm: Post-match, Grandstand's Peter Newlinds spoke with victorious Australian skipper Michael Clarke, who reckons he'll be right for the Boxing Day Test despite straining his hamstring here:
He also spoke with man-of-the-match Peter Siddle:
And Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene:
7:05pm: Cricket Australia has just announced the squad for the Boxing Day Test - Tasmanian quick Jackson Bird comes in for the injured Ben Hilfenhaus and Usman Khawaja is on standby for Michael Clarke.
Squad: Michael Clarke (c), Shane Watson (vc), Jackson Bird, Ed Cowan, Phil Hughes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.
6:40pm: This just in from the ICC - Peter Siddle has been cleared of ball tampering. Match referee Chris Broad:
In the opinion of the umpires, there was no evidence to suggest that the condition of the ball was changed, or that the video or photographic evidence would support a charge under the Code of Conduct, so they will not be laying any charges relating to these incidents.
So that's the end of that.
6:15pm:
@RicFinlay Mitchell Starc's last spell 6.2 - 1 - 17 - 4. #crucialatthedeath.
@RoshanCricket Great fight back but just pipped at the post. The result doesnt suggest the way the team fought! Bad luck Sri Lanka good luck for the next.
6:10pm: Peter Siddle is awarded man of the match for overall figures of 9 for 104. He's still searching for his first 10-wicket haul after taking 4 for 50 in that second dig.
6:04pm: That's it! Eranga edges behind to Wade and Starc has five! Australia wins by 137 runs.
6:02pm: Eranga takes three and Welegedara faces Siddle. It's pitched up and he does well to dig it out. 11 overs remaining.
5:58pm: Here's Peter Siddle. Can he take his first 10-wicket haul in a match? He's currently got 9 for 99. Just the one over then from Watson from the River End.
@henrylawson180 super stuff from Siddle and Starc some reverse swinging jaffas SL have fought with great ticker.5:54pm: Out! There's the yorker, it hits the toe of Herath's bat and cannons off his boot onto his stumps. That's been coming for some time and Starc has four too now. Australia one wicket from victory.
5:52pm: 13 overs to go. Watson bowled that one - he replaced Lyon, who's had no impact at all today.
@RoshanCricket Lyon's bowling should disappoint the Aussies for not having a single wicket out of 8 fallen. Thought he looked very plain and lacked variety5:47pm: That's another sandshoe crusher from Starc and Herath again gets his leg out of the way as it rockets past the leg stump. Rangana dicing with death here.
@RoshanCricket Kulasekara's dismissal had to do with the quality of the bowling than a bad shot. Australia has bowled some brilliant stuff.5:41pm: That's drinks with Sri Lanka reaching 8 for 248. Herath 6 and Eranga 1. 15 overs to go.
5:38pm: Starc gives Shaminda Eranga a yorker straight up and he gets it away for a single. Brilliant over from the New South Welshman.
@jakeybutler Really looking forward to seeing Mitchell Starc dominating with James Pattinson for years to come!
@Sam_Cockerill What a great delivery. Aussies still in the hunt!
5:35pm: Out! Starc finds Kulasekara's outside edge and Wade won't take an easier catch. "Absolute peach, it pitches outside leg stump and he's got to play at it," Geoff Lawson remarks. Two wickets needed for Australia now.
5:32pm: Another yorker from Starc and Herath somehow digs it out. Well played but surely it's only a matter of time till we see the clattering of timber.
5:26pm: Starc gets too much swing on that yorker and it dives between Herath's pad and his leg stump. Had it hit any of the Sri Lankan spinner his stumps would likely have been all over the shop. 18 overs to go.
@RicFinlay Herath once batted for 93 balls in a Test innings. I'm not sure how. #AusvSL5:18pm: Dropped? That one's flown through the slip cordon. Replays showed it hit Watson on the boot. Tough chance, maybe just short.
5:17pm: Jim says Usman Khawaja has been withdrawn from Thursday's Big Bash game and is expected to replace Michael Clarke for the Boxing Day Test. We haven't even heard about a medical report on Clarke yet so as soon as we know more, we'll let you know.
5:09pm: Out! Mitchell Starc gets in on the act as that one hits a crack, strikes Prasanna Jayawardene on the glove and tears to Mike Hussey at second slip. Nothing much the batsman could have done about that one.
5:06pm: 23 overs to go. On comes Mitchell Starc to replace Siddle at the Church St End. Four wickets needed for an Australian victory.
4:59pm: That one hits a crack and rears up at the ribcage of Samaraweera. He calls for the physio but it appears he's OK.
4:57pm: Siddle gets that one to reverse and Kulasekara opts to leave. How it missed his off stump we'll never know.
4:40pm: Gone! Siddle has four! That was hitting leg and Samaraweera's on his bike for 49. Australia four wickets from victory. "He's been exceptional today. He's been exceptional throughout the last two domestic seasons. Should he have played in Perth?" Kerry asks.
@jpattinson19 SIDDLE
@johnhastings194 P Siddle you absolute superstar. #lovehiseffort #lionheart
@PetefromHayNSW Time to change the #AUSvSL twitter hashtag to #SIDDLEvSL
4:39pm: Out!? That looks plumb lbw on Samaraweera but he's going upstairs. Desperate measures.
4:36pm: Samaraweera inexplicably flays at a wide one from Siddle and somehow fails to get a nick. "If you nick that you don't walk towards the dressingroom, you go and get changed under the scoreboard at the other end," Kerry says.
4:34pm: "Clarke's identified this pitch as Watto pitch, that's why he gave him the second new ball and he's still bowling," Kerry O'Keeffe says. That one rears up at Samaraweera, he gets a bat on it and he's lucky not to be caught at silly point. Good bowling by Watson.
4:21pm: Wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene gets off the mark with a boundary through backward point. 5 for 205 after that over from Siddle, who has 3 for 37.
4:16pm: Out! P Siddle yet again! Mathews chases a wideish one and it gets the outside edge, Wade pockets a comfortable catch and the Sri Lankans are five down. Awful shot from Angelo Mathews and he pays the price.
4:14pm: Sri Lanka brings up the 200 with two from Samaraweera. Runs column all elementary here now, however...
4:06pm: Peter Siddle has the ball from the Church St End. This appears to be all on the Victorian's shoulders now. No pressure.
4:02pm: We're back for this final session. Can Australia take the six wickets it needs for victory? Shane Watson will have first crack. 36 overs to take six wickets. Plenty of men crowding around the bat and Wade is up to the stumps, as opposed to bowling to them.
3:52pm: Plenty of Twitter reaction to Matthew Wade having a bowl, most of it negative:
@dobes WADE IS BOWLING?
@d_slater38 Matt Wade ditching the gloves n having a bowl...surely the Aussies r having a laugh! #AUSvSL #cmonmate #fishingforwickets
@lachlanpayne You can not be serious.
@JanNederburgh Sth Africa rolls out the red carpet for Ponting and we show utter contempt for Sri Lanka.
@JustBeer_NoBull INSPIRED CAPTAINCY
@grousewozzie sack Clarke now!
@CAPhoto10 Pretty sure I just noticed Nigel Llong limbering up...
@jbutcher9 I have seen it all now @MatthewWade13 whipping off the gloves and bowling in a test #keepingbowlingallrounder
@DrinkToSteve Wade bowling, cricket this summer is reaching some new lows
K. Sangakkara 63
T. Samaraweera 38*
D. Karunaratne 30
P. Siddle 2-25 (19 overs)
S. Watson 1-38 (20 overs)
M. Starc 1-46 (22 overs)
D. Warner 68
M. Clarke 57 (ret hurt)
E. Cowan 56
R. Herath 5-96 (21.5 overs)
C. Welegedara 3-89 (22 overs)
S. Eranga 1-52 (11 overs)
T. Dilshan 147
A. Mathews 75
P. Jayawardene 40
P. Siddle 5-54 (25.3 overs)
N. Lyon 2-76 (25 overs)
B. Hilfenhaus 1-30 (12.2 overs)
Australia 5-450 dec. (131 overs)
M. Hussey 115*
P. Hughes 86
M. Clarke 74
C. Welegedara 3-130 (26 overs)
S. Eranga 1-90 (25 overs)
T. Dilshan 0-30 (7 overs)
3:42pm: It's a maiden. "He's knackered though, it's a one-over spell," says Geoff Lawson. Indeed - that's tea. Sri Lanka 4 for 186.
3:39pm: Here's one from left field - Matthew Wade is bowling! Medium pace. Phil Hughes takes the gloves. One of the biggest cheers we've heard from this small crowd all day for the Tassie boy Wade.
3:34pm: Mathews is OK to continue. Drew reckons that delay will cost us another over. Starc welcomes him back with a bumper.
3:28pm: That was vicious from Mitchell Starc and it's struck Angelo Mathews right on the point of his left elbow. Ouch. He's in some pain and out comes the physio. Listen to the commentary. Sri Lanka 4 for 181.
3:25pm: "These are quick overs from Nathan Lyon," Roshan says. "And that's one of his problems - he rushes," Henry concurs. Still plenty of heavy cloud cover hanging around the Tasmanian capital...
3:24pm: Our stats man confirms the last time Australia failed to win a Test in the first four of the summer was 26 years ago, in the 1986/87 Ashes series.
3:17pm: Lyon asks the lbw question about Samaraweera but umpire Tony Hill's not interested. Roshan points out the batsman is setting a dangerous precedent by constantly not offering a shot. Sri Lanka 4 for 177.
3:09pm: Nathan Lyon is on from the River End with the new rock. "If they get out with a draw and he goes wicketless, again questions will be asked," Kerry O'Keeffe says.
3:03pm: Mitchell Starc comes back into the attack. It's just over four hours since he last had a bowl. "Your country needs you Starcers," Jim says. "Well, some of us don't need him Starcers," Kerry replies. Tea is still due at 3:40pm with the last session scheduled for 4:00pm-6:10pm.
3:00pm: We're underway again with Watson bowling to Samaraweera with the new ball. Don't forget you can contact the Grandstand commentary team via SMS (0467 920 222), email (cricket@abc.net.au) or Twitter (@abcgrandstand, #abccricket). Our live stream of the commentary is available here.
2:57pm: Peter Newlinds is speaking with fourth umpire Simon Fry, who informs us that we've lost two overs. Play scheduled to start again in three minutes.
2:55pm: Bit of Twitter reaction to Kerry and Jim's chat about any potential Clarke replacement if he's forced out of the Boxing Day Test:
@bushy_41 David Hussey to replace Michael Clarke if injured. #leftfield
@Cam_Dougie Callum Ferguson is in top 3 for shield runs this year, doesn't deserve a chance?
@tommaine11 David hussey should get a look in would fit in at 5 and just thing Michael and David partnership!
@jarsy9 surely a pair at Adelaide oval is even worse than a pair #notoquiney #neednewblood
2:51pm: The covers are coming up so hopefully we're back amongst it real soon.
2:48pm: The lads are discussing how Shane Watson would go as captain if Michael Clarke is forced out of the Boxing Day Test with that hamstring strain. Kerry thinks he would lead from the front and it may help his struggling batting. "Whoever replaces Michael Clarke (in the batting line-up) is the key," he says. "I'd go Doolan - they'll probably go Khawaja," he adds. "I'd feel sorry for Quiney if he doesn't get another go," Drew Morphett says. Meanwhile, Geoff Lawson has his own take on the ball tampering affair:
@henrylawson180 Ball tampering pic must have been taken from the grassy knoll- implies about as much as 'Democratic"in the title of North Korea2:37pm: They're off again. More rain. Disappointing. Sri Lanka 4 for 169 with 393 required for victory. A Sri Lankan win appears out of the equation now, however. The odds of a draw are firming by the second.
2:31pm: New ball. Clarke says enough's enough and Siddle takes it. Will fireworks ensue?
2:26pm: Sri Lanka 4 for 163 after that Siddle maiden. Australia still needs six wickets from a minimum of 50 overs.
2:20pm: Mathews gets off the mark with a single from Watson.
2:17pm: That's a maiden from Peter Siddle and we've had 80 so the new ball is available. Watson will persist with the old rock for the time being.
2:16pm: Quite a few balls starting to keep very low now. It's proving to be a good toss to win for Australia. Mathews still to get off the mark, by the way.
2:03pm: It's Siddle's turn and he beats the outside edge of Angelo Mathews's bat immediately. The skipper-in-waiting knows better than to hang the willow out like that.
2:02pm: Henry wants Lyon to stop rushing. "Slow down Nathan! Slow everything down!" he pleads. Plenty of frustration for the South Australian today, the look on his face is palpable.
2:01pm: We're back underway with Lyon in operation. That one almost comes back and bowls Samaraweera. Flicked the back pad on the way past.
1:54pm: Peter Newlinds reports that we've got 30 minutes to play with so no overs lost at present. There's 56 left in the day for Australia to take six wickets. Play is scheduled to resume at 2:00pm sharp.
1:49pm: The rain has stopped so hopefully we're not too far away from a resumption. The fellas are talking about Nathan Lyon and his lack of impact so far. Geoff Lawson says Lyon motored through the overs without being able to bowl Australia to victory on the final day in Adelaide, and the same appears to be happening here.
1:33pm: Oh dear, the players are leaving the field for rain. Hopefully this doesn't hang around too long.
@RicFinlay Siddle (133 wkts, 35 Tests) goes past Ashley Mallett (132, 38) with Sanga's wicket #AusvSL1:32pm: Gone! This one looked a lot closer than the others and so it proves - DRS shows it's pitching middle and hitting middle halfway up. As plumb as it gets and Sangakkara goes for a well-made 63. 4 for 151.
1:31pm: Out!? Siddle goes up for lbw on Sangakkara again and again, umpire Llong nods the head. A desperate Kumar refers.
1:24pm: That one rears up at Samaraweera, some vicious bounce. Kerry: "In the first hour of play nothing much seems to happen and then it all happens. I'm not trying to be fiercely patriotic but I think enough will happen on this pitch for Australia to win this. They (Sri Lanka) won't survive after tea. I hope."
1:22pm: Not out! That one was also pitching outside the line! The Aussies are despairing and umpire Nigel Llong has to reverse another one. Kerry says umpires will now start second-guessing what's lbw and what isn't. Listen to the commentary.
1:20pm: Out!? Siddle raps Samaraweera on the pads and he's given. Referral.
1:19pm: The 150 comes up for Sri Lanka for the loss of three wickets. Sangakkara reaches 63 with Samaraweera on 18.
1:10pm: We're underway in the second session with Nathan Lyon bowling around the wicket to Kumar Sangakkara, who's on 58. Kerry meanwhile is having a laugh about what Roshan would be known as if he was part of the Aussie line-up:
12:55pm: Here's our story on the ball tampering affair, as well as commentator Roshan Abeysinghe's latest tweet:
@RoshanCricket SL Manager unofficially informed the referee re the tampering issue and hence he can now investigate if he wants to.K. Sangakkara 58*
D. Karunaratne 30
M. Jayawardene 19
P. Siddle 1-23 (12 overs)
S. Watson 1-28 (16 overs)
M. Starc 1-33 (18 overs)
D. Warner 68
M. Clarke 57 (ret hurt)
E. Cowan 56
R. Herath 5-96 (21.5 overs)
C. Welegedara 3-89 (22 overs)
S. Eranga 1-52 (11 overs)
T. Dilshan 147
A. Mathews 75
P. Jayawardene 40
P. Siddle 5-54 (25.3 overs)
N. Lyon 2-76 (25 overs)
B. Hilfenhaus 1-30 (12.2 overs)
Australia 5-450 dec. (131 overs)
M. Hussey 115*
P. Hughes 86
M. Clarke 74
C. Welegedara 3-130 (26 overs)
S. Eranga 1-90 (25 overs)
T. Dilshan 0-30 (7 overs)
12:30pm: That's lunch with Sri Lanka reaching 3 for 144 requiring 393 for victory. Sangakkara 58 and Samaraweera 17.
12:19pm: Not out! The decision is overturned as the DRS shows he's hit outside the line of off stump. Marginally. Sangakkara gets a life on 55. Listen to the commentary.
@RoshanCricket Great referral by Sanga. Survives an LBW decision. How crucial is that going to be? SL need him to bat till stumps.12:18pm: Out!? Sangakkara attempts the pull and he's hit in front by Watson. He's given but goes upstairs.
12:17pm: Roshan and Jim are discussing the tampering issue on Twitter:
@RoshanCricket SL may not have complained but isnt it within the right of the Referee to investigate anything if there is any suspicion about tampering?
@jimmaxcricket @RoshanCricket fine line between tampering and maintenance of a cricket ball should always favor the bowler unless there's blatant mischief
@RoshanCricket @jimmaxcricket i think that is what should be established. The referee should by investigating put it to rest.
12:16pm: Samaraweera is not holding back against Lyon - he's had quite a few hefty swings but can't get past the fielders in close. Sri Lanka 3 for 135 as Australia continues to struggle to create wicket-taking deliveries on this track.
12:05pm: Geoff Lawson says he's liked Michael Clarke's captaincy this morning. "Plenty of moving of the chess pieces." Three runs from that Watson over, during which there was some light drizzle.
12:00pm: Samaraweera likes the look of this one from Lyon - he lofts it over long on for four. Sri Lanka 3 for 127 after that over, requiring a further 266 to win.
11:53am: No shot offered by Samaraweera and Lyon and the Aussies are up in full force. Not out though and no referral.
11:48am: Samaraweera gets off the mark with a couple from Starc.
11:47pm: More on the ball tampering allegation - this from Jim on Twitter:
@jimmaxcricket Scratchy scratchy? #cricket #ausvsl twitpic.com/bm2v70 via @TwitPic what's this prove? Can't see the bottle top11:44pm: 50 for Sangakkara. He gets a complete gift from Warner, who delivers a pie which is flogged for four.
11:41am: That one left Samaraweera through the air and off the deck, and he immediately turns to watch the flight of the ball as it beats the bat and rockets through to Wade.
11:39am: Another bowling change by Clarke - Starc replaces Siddle from the Church St End. Kerry's a bit miffed considering Siddle's last over, but acknowledges we don't want to see the burn-out which forced Siddle out of the third Test in Perth. "He probably likes the angle of Mitchell Starc across Thilan Samaraweera."
11:35am: That's a wicket maiden from Siddle. "He's outstanding P Siddle, every ball in that over asked a question," Kerry says. "One asked Jayawardene a question and he was unable to answer. Five asked Samaraweera how much he valued his wicket and he answered five times."
11:30am: Out! Peter Siddle strikes and it's the skipper who has to go! Jayawardene opens the face slightly, it flies to Michael Clarke at second slip and he takes a handy catch low down to his right. It's taken Australia 80 minutes this morning to create their first real chance but they've made it count. Out comes Thilan Samarawareera.
11:26am: Jim and Kerry are discussing who should replace Ben Hilfenhaus for Boxing Day - the Tasmanian is out with a side strain. "I'm a fan of Ben Cutting if he's fully fit, he's a wicket-taker and I think we need to see what he's about," Kerry says.
11:23am: Sri Lanka 2 for 110 at drinks with Sangakkara on 43 and Jayawardene 18. The target is 393.
11:19am: Jim addresses the ball-tampering chatter we mentioned earlier. ICC match referee Chris Broad says he is aware of the Sri Lankan media coverage, but there has been no official complaint from the Sri Lankans at this point. For those unaware of what I'm talking about, read our guest commentator Roshan Abesinghe's earlier tweets here.
11:15am: David Warner is on to bowl his right-arm off spin. Kerry says he's concerned with how Michael Clarke often dismisses Nathan Lyon so quickly.
11:12am: Jim Maxwell asks Kerry O'Keeffe where the next wicket's going to come from - not a bowler he replies. "We've had 62 minutes and there hasn't been a play and miss. That's a bad sign. A yellow card for the Australian bowlers."
11:07am: The 100 comes up for the Sri Lankans as Watson strays down legside and it comes off the pads off Jayawardene to run down to the boundary for four. Listen here. 2 for 101.
11:05am: The new local celebrity Jordan Silk, fielding for the injured Ben Hilfenhaus, picks that one up in the outfield and returns with a rocket-like throw. Gets a smattering of applause from the small crowd for his efforts.
11:00am: Sangakkara moves into the 40s with two to complete that Watson over. Jayawardene on 9. Sri Lanka 2 for 94 and this pair is approaching another half-century partnership.
10:51am: Just one run off that Watson over. Now for some Peter Siddle, who replaces Starc at the Church St End.
@jimmaxcricket Early evidence suggests Sri Lanka can save this game. Two walls being built named Sangakarra and Jayawardene. Grit experience concentration10:47am: The tourists are 2 for 88 after nine overs this morning. Shane Watson comes into the attack, bowling around the wicket to a slip and a very wide gully.
10:33am: First boundary of the day, off the blade of Sangakkara. These two can obviously play spin so Lyon will be punished repeatedly today if he gets it wrong. The question is whether the tourists are actually trying to mow down these runs.
10:31am: Sri Lanka 2 for 76 after five. Our stats man says these two have batted all day in a Test match before, although it was on their own soil:
@RicFinlay 28 July 2006, Colombo. Jaywardene & Sanga bat all day v SA, taking the score from 2-128 to 2-485. #precedent10:29am: Jim and Henry are now talking about Australia's batting order. "Is it that important, the order they go in?" Lawson asks. He admits that the top three is pretty important because their job is obviously to see off the new ball. "But I don't think the order is an important as a lot of people make out."
10:24am: We've had five runs from the opening three overs. Sri Lanka 2 for 71 with Sangakkara on 22 and Jayawardene 5.
10:19am: Here's a series of interesting tweets from our Sri Lankan guest commentator Roshan Abesinghe (in the order they were posted):
@RoshanCricket Interesting both Ceylon today and Dailynews says that the SL complained to the referee Broad about ball tampering in the SL 1st innings.
@RoshanCricket Broad is aware of the ball tampering complaint which happened during the Dilshan Mathews stand. No statement from the Ref up to now.
@RoshanCricket There is a pic of the tampering of a ball posted on twitter. This is serious if proven.
10:15am: Nathan Lyon comes into the attack straight away. Plenty of pressure on the South Australian's shoulders today to get this job done. Meanwhile Henry thinks Haddin is in good enough form to even be considered as a batsman and he's certainly the second-choice wicket-keeper behind Wade. Says he should definitely be on the plane for the Ashes next year.
@ritzyphoto @abcgrandstand what about Tim Paine?
@NotesOfJohn Lawson, on @ABCGrandstand said that Brad Haddin is ‘the best gloveman in the country’. Geoffrey, Haddin isn’t even the best keeper in NSW.
@paulbroad That's not Geoff Lawson calling for another player from NSW into the test team, is it? Let's pick a keeper not to keep...
10:13am: Good pace early from Starc. "He could blast out one or two early on if he gets it right," Jim Maxwell says. Geoff Lawson is speaking about Matt Wade's keeping - he's not really a fan. Says he would like to see him improve in that area and that Brad Haddin remains the best gloveman in the country. No runs from the opening over.
10:10am: It's Mitch Starc bowling around the wicket to Mahela Jayawardene to kick off this fifth day. Sri Lanka resumes on 2 for 65 chasing 393 to win.
9:50am: Today's play is scheduled to get underway at 10:10am. Just a reminder that if you want to contact the lads in the commentary box, you can do so via SMS (0467 920 222), email (cricket@abc.net.au), or Twitter (@abcgrandstand, #abccricket).
They've been on the Twittersphere in force this morning, with plenty of interest surrounding England's breakthrough 2-1 series win over India yesterday - here's a selection:
@jimmaxcricket Weather ok. 95 overs should be enough to get 8 poles given the progression over five days of 4 5. 6. Then 12 wkts yday= 7 today?
@PeterNewlinds Netting with intent. Sri Lanka prepare for a long day of batting. #bellerivetest #AUSvsSL pic.twitter.com/rNcwxLl7
@RoshanCricket England’s 1st series win in India since 84/85 has helped it to consolidate its number2 position on the Reliance ICC Test Championship table.
@PeterNewlinds Preparing for the final day. Day 5 #bellerivetest pic.twitter.com/xRhlSpMB
@RicFinlay Joe Root, in his first Test, comfortably heads the all-time English batting averages with 93.00. 654 fine players below him. #freakstat
@kokeeffe49 Some days are stones..multiple maidens expected at Bellerive..England has won in India..errrhh..oh well, there is still the media lunch. yum
9:40am: Earlier this morning Grandstand's Peter Newlinds caught up with Aussie opener Ed Cowan, who is obviously expecting more stonewalling from the Sri Lankans of the likes of which we saw yesterday afternoon, when captain Mahela Jayawardene took 25 balls just to get off the mark:
9:35am: Much of yesterday afternoon's focus was on Aussie captain Michael Clarke, who was forced to retire hurt on 57 with a right hamstring strain. He was sent for scans last night and we'll update you with the latest as soon as it comes to hand.
9:33am: Weather watch: Mother Nature looks like it will behave itself - we're expecting a mostly cloudy day in the Tasmanian capital but no rain. Fingers crossed.
9:30am: Good morning and welcome to the final day of the Hobart Test. Joel Zander here to take you through to the conclusion of this encounter. The Aussies are shorn of the services of Ben Hilfenhaus's pace and Michael Clarke's tweakers, so let's hope there's not a repeat of the final day of the second Test in Adelaide, which saw Peter Siddle spent to the point where he was forced out of the next Test match. Miss any of the day four action? Check out our blog, and the video highlights package below:
Tags: cricket, sport, hobart-7000, tas, australia, sri-lanka First posted December 18, 2012 09:43:47
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