Australia reached 4 for 299 at stumps on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Hobart.
Michael Clarke was on 70 and Mike Hussey 37, the pair having put on 101 for the fifth wicket.
Look back on how we covered the opening day (all times AEDT).
P. Hughes 86
M. Clarke 70*
D. Warner 57
C. Welegedara 3-99 (20 overs)
T. Dilshan 0-11 (4 overs)
A. Mathews 0-35 (11 overs)
6:30pm: We've also posted Jim Maxwell and Kerry O'Keeffe's wrap, the day one highlights and an interview with Sri Lankan paceman Chanaka Welegedera. Access them in the box at the top of the blog. That's it from Hobart for today - be sure to join us again on day two to see what sort of total Australia can post. Bye for now.
5:59pm: Kerry O'Keeffe says Australia will be looking to rack up 500 tomorrow: "Past history here, you just don't lose if you get past 500, you win easily."
5:55pm: Grandstand's Peter Newlinds is speaking with Phil Hughes, who has top-scored with 86 on his return from a year out of the Test side:
It was nice to get runs, disappointed to get out then (for 86), it would have been nice to go on and get three figures but it wasn't to be. I feel like I'm totally a better player now, away from the team for 12 months, I had to do work away from the scenes but I feel my game's in pretty good order and I just want to push in and cement this number three spot.
5:50pm: That's stumps with Australia reaching 4 for 299. Michael Clarke is on 70 and Mike Hussey 37.
5:49pm: That's the 100 partnership between these two. 191 balls.
5:46pm: Nuwan Kulasekara is delivering the last over of the day. "Australia will finish the day a length-and-a-half in front," Kerry says. "And they've proven to be pretty good front-runners."
5:42pm: Jim is speaking with Kerry about what his top four would be for Australia. Kerry says he doesn't see Shane Watson as anything else but an opener, with Phil Hughes pretty much in the same category. "I'm a fan of Alex Doolan at three," he says. He says the Tasmanian deserves to be there ahead of Rob Quiney, who's "too much hands". He also says Ed Cowan's done well. "I don't doubt that the top four that are there are genuine Test players, it's just finding the right mix." We published some of your thoughts earlier.
5:36pm: Twelve runs from that Welegedara over. "Some twilight plunder here for the Australian batsman," Jim Maxwell says. Two beautiful straight drives from Clarke, who opens up his shoulders a touch in front of this paltry crowd of 6,000.
5:29pm: 50 for Clarke. "He's had to work pretty hard for them today, they haven't come all that easily," Jim Maxwell says. 117 balls, four boundaries. Australia 4 for 274. The lads admit betting has been suspended for this year's McGilvray Medal, which is awarded to the ABC's Test cricketer of the year. "For every remaining innings this year, Michael Clarke could drive out in a go-kart, smoking a cigar and drinking shiraz and he'd still win it," says Kerry O'Keeffe.
5:22pm: Clarke cops another blow on the leg, this time his inner-right thigh. The umpires are sniggering but it's safe to say Pup's not. He's very ginger as he takes off for a single.
5:15pm: Clarke celebrates by hitting a ball still on the up straight down the ground for four. "Classy stroke that," says Brett Geeves. Another half-century beckons here for the Aussie captain.
5:14pm: With that single, Michael Clarke moves to 1,400 runs for the calendar year at the not-too-shabby average of 116. Alastair Cook next best with 1,236 at 49.
5:09pm: Clarke's had the magic spray, he'll be right. Australia 4 for 261 with the captain on 41 and Hussey 30.
5:05pm: Ouch. Clarke inside edges one above the knee roll and that's hurt the Australian skipper, who'll be looked at by physio Alex Kontouris.
5:03pm: New ball. "It's a no-brainer for Sri Lanka," Geeves says. He says the wicket has flattened out nicely now after offering a little early. It's Shaminda Eranga who gets first use of it and he beats Clarke straight up with beautiful seam position.
5:02pm: "We've got the new ball due at the end of this over," Brett Geeves points out. "So it's going to be a testing time for Australia." He says Sri Lanka needs to take it straight away.
4:48pm: "Did that turn?" Geoff Lawson asks of that Herath delivery. Yes, it appears it did somewhat. A watchful Hussey manages to successfully negotiate it, however. Australia 4 for 247.
4:45pm: Sri Lanka is skipping through its overs pretty quickly so we're on track to pretty much finish on time at 5:30pm. Clarke and Hussey have put on 44 since the dismissal of Phil Hughes just after tea.
4:34pm: That's drinks with Australia reaching 4 for 236. Michael Clarke is on 33 and Mike Hussey 13.
@adamseeary @abcgrandstand when I was a kid no3 was the best batsman in the country.. I don't think Hughes is anywhere close...4:25pm: Mathews pitches one on middle and Clarke simply shuffles across his stumps and glides it down legside for four. He's seeing them very well at the moment, this fellow.
4:14pm: Four. Clarke punches that Kulasekara delivery down the ground to move to 24. "That was just brilliant. His off-driving and his on-driving for the past 12 months has been superb," Kerry O'Keeffe says.
4:04pm: Kerry O'Keeffe says Herath likes to trap batsman around the crease line and "Michael Clarke's having none of that" as he dances down the wicket to try and put the spinner off his game. Australia 4 for 215 with Clarke on 18 and Hussey 7.
4:00pm:
@TomMoodyCricket Don't understand what the fuss is about re where Philip Hughes scores his runs, surely the attention should be on how many runs not where?
@marsh_1992 Hughes still shows his vulnerability. Can't play anything full or swinging...good luck in England @abcgrandstand @wwos9
3:48pm: Australia 4 for 207 after 61 overs, with Clarke on 14 and Hussey 3. This pair put on big partnerships in both the first and second Tests against South Africa, with Clarke making a double ton and Hussey a century in each match.
3:35pm: Out! Bowls him! It's the commentator's curse as Phil Hughes is knocked over by Chanaka Welegedara for 86. No fourth Test century for the New South Welshman today.
3:33pm: We're back for the final session with Phil Hughes 16 away from a fourth Test century. Is he the long-term solution at number three?
@RicFinlay Hughes 82* the highest score by an Aus No. 3 for 28 inns, when SMarsh made 141 in Sept 20113:20pm: Peter Newlinds has penned this piece on Ricky Ponting's lunch break send-off.
P. Hughes 82*
D. Warner 57
S. Watson 30
C. Welegedara 2-70 (14 overs)
T. Dilshan 0-1 (1 over)
A. Mathews 0-19 (7 overs)
3:12pm: That's tea with Australia reaching 3 for 193. Hughes is on 82 and Clarke 7.
3:05pm: Australia has reached 3 for 188 after 55 overs. Hughes 81 and Clarke 3. Welegedara and Herath in operation for the Sri Lankans.
2:50pm: Out! That's a screaming catch from a flying Mahela Jayawardene, with the 35-year-old skipper taking a tasty one-handed effort at second slip to get rid of Shane Watson for 30. "The ball's almost past him when he catches that," admires Geoff Lawson. Here's Michael Clarke.
@RicFinlay Mahela's 190th Test catch one of his best. Exceeded only by Dravid 210 Ponting 196 and Kallis 192 #AusvSL2:42pm: Out!? No! Massive front-foot no ball there from Welegedara. Big nick behind from Phil Hughes but he survives on 77.
2:31pm: Welegedara now replacing Mathews at the Church St End. Australia 2 for 163 with Hughes 68 and Watson 22. Hughes cuts his first delivery for four. "They've identified Welegedara as their get out of jail free card," Kerry says. "He's gone for 50 off his first eight and now a four off his first ball."
2:28pm: Six! Bizarre shot from Phil Hughes, but they all count. Had to stoop and reach for it, gives it the heave-ho and it goes all the way. "That epitomises him," says Kerry O'Keeffe. This is easily Hughes's highest Test score in Australia - his previous best was 37.
@ajs_james @abcgrandstand @kokeeffe49 Hughes jumps from a plane, I don't know how high I am just pull the ripcord,hope for the best! Result 6 #ausvsl2:21pm: 50 for Phil Hughes. "Very well done him, coming in at three, he's got a fabulous first-class record. This is his return and you get the feeling he's not done with a half-century. This could be big from Phil Hughes," Kerry O'Keeffe says.
2:13pm: Another maiden, this one from Herath and Australia is 2 for 136 at drinks.
2:09pm: A maiden there from Eranga and Australia is 2 for 136. Hughes two runs away from a half-century on his return to the team. Watson 15.
1:59pm: "That's probably a part of his game that we've seen that has improved," says Brett Geeves, as Phil Hughes pulls a short one aimed at his nut to the boundary.
1:56pm: From the vault...
@ESPNcricinfo On this day in 1960: Meckiff plays to square, Kline sets off, but is run out by Solomon. The first tied Test | es.pn/12otHuJ1:54pm: Hughes opens the face of his blade to slice a four between slips and gully - his first four in 80 balls according to our stats man Ric Finlay.
1:48pm: Rangana Herath is OK - here he is now to roll his arm over for the first time in this Test. As I mentioned earlier, he's this year's leading wicket-taker in Test cricket with 55, ahead of England spinner Graeme Swann on 54.
1:41pm: "Don't give Watson the pace to work with - he loves it coming onto the bat," Geoff Lawson says. Watson's hit a couple of boundaries and he's 13 off 24 with Australia 2 for 118.
1:25pm: Eranga is back - so a short-lived return from Welegedara. Herath has left the field for some treatment after fielding a ball in the outfield, by the way. Would be terrible for Sri Lanka if its frontline spinner had a problem. He's this year's leading wicket-taker in Test cricket with 55.
1:17pm: Watson gets off the mark with a boundary - a sweetly timed cover drive from the fifth ball he faced.
1:16pm: Earlier we asked who should be opening the batting for Australia - here's some of your responses:
@ZSpecialUnit Drop Cowan, move Hughes up, bring Khawaja in.
@ben_blowers Watson opening, Clarke to 4. bring in Usman Khawaja to 5 and give Ed Cowan a rest for a while.
@adamtwittey M Hussey. Don't care who the other one is! #cricket #ausvsl
@CowboySantos182 bring back matt hayden for opener #ausvsl #abccricket
1:15pm: Welegedara's switched from the southern to the northern end of the ground and will bowl to Watson. "Deep point for a man who hasn't scored?" questions Geoff Lawson. "They've heard you, he's coming in," Jim says.
1:09pm: We're back for the second session with Shane Watson joining Phil Hughes at the crease in the 27th over. Jim and Henry are chatting about David Warner, who was the victim of an unfortunate run-out just before the interval. "He looked as good as I've seen him in a while," Lawson says.
1:07pm: Peter Newlinds is chatting with Ricky Ponting, who's just had a lap of honour in the back of a ute around his beloved Bellerive. The boy from Mowbray says it was an honour and also a touch embarrassing.
D. Warner 57
P. Hughes 27*
E. Cowan 4
C. Welegedara 1-44 (7 overs)
T. Dilshan 0-1 (0.2 overs)
A. Mathews 0-7 (4 overs)
12:29pm: Out! Terrible communication there between Warner and Hughes and the former is run out! David Warner throws away what was promising to be another Test century. He set off for the single, changed his mind but Hughes was already committed. Australia 2 for 97. 79-run partnership over.
@RoshanCricket Cricketing stupidity! Warner run out for 57 at the stroke of lunch. Aus 97/2. Sri Lanka not complaining!12:28pm: We've got the right-arm off spin of opener Tillakaratne Dilshan now to finish off this first session. The wrapping yet to be taken off Rangana Herath.
12:27pm: Seven front-foot no balls now from the tourists. Mahela would not be happy.
12:25pm: Kerry says Cowan could take a leaf out of the book of Justin Langer, who staked his Test career on proving people wrong. He says Cowan can't get distracted by engaging in spats with commentators who are paid to provide an opinion.
@opine_afresh @abcgrandstand So Kerry... Chappelli is entitled to his opinion, but Cowan is not? Get to the bar & humbug.
@NedManning @abcgrandstand @kokeeffe49 Fair go Skull #Ed Cowan having an opinion & not talking in cliches should be applauded
12:24pm: Kulasekara around the wicket shouts for lbw on Hughes, who's trying to work it away to mid-wicket. No interest whatsoever from umpire Nigel Long.
12:19pm: "It's been a good toss to win for Michael Clarke, because when you look at the way it's played the only option was to bat," Kerry O'Keeffe says. He also says Ed Cowan is a victim of the mind at present and should worry more about the process than critics who are questioning his place in the team. "If Ian Chappell wants to choose an Australian line-up without Ed Cowan in it then that's Ian Chappell's business," he points out.
12:14pm: Half-century for David Warner. 75 balls, seven fours. Australia 1 for 86.
12:13pm: Edged! Warner gets away with it. It flies just past the skipper at second slip and rolls away for another four. The visitors removed third slip not long ago. Warner one off a half-century.
12:10pm: Hughes takes two for his first runs since the 15th over. Australia 1 for 76 after 22.
12:09pm: The brakes have been applied here somewhat following a rollicking start for Phil Hughes - our stats man Ric Finlay points out that he farmed 17 runs off his first 15 balls but has scored 4 since from the next 33.
12:04pm: Close shave there for Warner, who gets a thick inside edge which whistles past his leg stump and runs away for four.
12:02pm: Chanaka Welegedara back into the attack now to replace Angelo Mathews. Roshan Abeysinghe says things are going along nicely for Australia now. Kerry O'Keeffe comments that it's been "vintage Phil Hughes".
@RicFinlay ECowan surely kicking himself for getting himself out today. Seems to me he has abandoned the batting philosophy that got him here initially11:56am: Angelo Mathews asks the question for lbw on Phil Hughes but it's not very convincing and was turned down immediately. Was going down leg.
11:43am: Four. Nice timing there from Warner, who places that past the bowler Eranga to move to 26. Three more off the last ball takes Australia to 1 for 60 from 16.
11:33am: There's our first maiden of the Test, Eranga the man. 1 for 49 at drinks with Warner on 21 and Hughes 19.
11:29am: Just the one run from that Mathews over. "No great demons in the pitch Drew after the first hour," Geoff Lawson comments. Australia 1 for 49 after 13.
11:26am: Angelo Mathews is Sri Lanka's second change bowler. Right arm medium. Two slips and a gully in place.
@jimmaxcricket Hughes looks more likely than Warner early doors at boot park. Slankans need new ball poles to prevent a feast
@RoshanCricket Kulasekera looks far more threatening from round the wicket. The only issue has been the noballs.
11:15am: Four more! Virtually identical shot there from Phil Hughes, who is looking the goods here early doors. Australia 1 for 40 after the first 10, so a solid start.
11:13am: Shot! Hughes flays the blade at that one on the rise and it rockets away for four through cover. "That was hit with intent," says Drew Morphett. Hughes is 12 off 12 balls. Not a good start for first change bowler Shaminda Eranga.
11:10am: Who should be opening the batting for Australia? Leave us your responses on Twitter (@abcgrandstand #ausvsl #abccricket) and we'll include some of your responses in the blog.
11:03am: Nice bowling here from Kulasekara, who's getting the ball to do a little in the air. Warner leaves one which nips back in and is not too far from his off stump. Australia 1 for 23 after seven overs.
10:58am: Hughes gets off the mark with a boundary, a cut shot behind point.
@thecrickettragic @abcgrandstand So Michael Clarke is batting at No 3 ... coming in after the four openers10:55am: Out! Poor shot there from Ed Cowan, looks to pull but is late on it and completely miscues. Caught at mid-on by Shaminda Eranga off the bowling of Chanaka Welegedara. Phil Hughes gets a warm applause as he walks out to bat in his third coming as a Test cricketer.
10:54am: Our guest commentator Roshan Abeysinghe joins Kerry O'Keeffe in the commentary box now.
10:43am: Australia has safely negotiated the first three overs for 10 runs on the board. Warner 5 and Cowan 4.
10:34am: Cowan gets a single off the fifth delivery and Australia is 0 for 2 after the first over. Our live scorecard is available here.
10:31am: Dropped! Ed Cowan, playing on his "home" pitch, edges the first delivery he faces and it's put down at third slip by Angelo Matthews. Very difficult chance though - it barely carried and Matthews did well to even get his mitt under it. Could easily have been another golden duck there for Cowan (he recorded one in the first innings against South Africa in Perth).
10:30am: Here's Nuwan Kulasekara bowling to David Warner to kick off this Test. Warner gets off the mark straight away with a single.
@RicFinlay Only Test Teams never to have won in Australia: Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, World XI... and Sri Lanka #AusvSL10:29am: Here's Kerry O'Keeffe: "Pace is not a factor, it's what they're going to do off the seam and through the air which will determine where Sri Lanka is tonight."
10:20am: Anthem time now. 10 minutes till we kick off this series.
10:15am: Grandstand's expert commentator and former Tasmanian paceman Brett Geeves (@brettygeevz) says the Bellerive pitch looks outstanding. You can listen to our live commentary stream here.
10:10am: Now Jim's with Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene: "I would have batted first as well, it looks a pretty good wicket to be honest with you and runs on the board would have been great." He admits his team will have its hands full with Australia: "We need to scrap for everything, try and keep up with them and when we get an opportunity try and push them back."
10:08am: Grandstand's Jim Maxwell is speaking with Michael Clarke: "I think there's going to be a little bit there this morning but I'm confident we can bat well. It (the wicket) looks really good, I think it's going to be a pretty good wicket for the first three days and then I think it's going to go similar to the practice wickets and play a little bit low on the fourth and fifth days."
@RicFinlay Aus win toss and bat. Have to go back to Feb-Mar 2010 to find two consecutive matches where the toss-winner has elected to bat at Bellerive10:00am: Australia has won the toss and will bat first. Peter Newlinds tweeted this snap of the wicket a little earlier:
9:44am: While we wait for the toss, check out Grandstand's Peter Newlinds's interview yesterday with Australian captain Michael Clarke, who says his dodgy back is much better. He also addressed critics who say he should be batting higher up the order:
I've never batted three for Australia in Test cricket... number four is a position I've always wanted to bat, I guess for New South Wales that's where I've batted my whole career and for Australia that's where I've always wanted to bat. But like I've said over the past few years, the number's irrelevant where I bat, it's about helping the team have success and making sure I'm scoring runs.
9:38am: Weather watch: The BOM forecast is for a cloudy day with a 50 per cent chance of rain. A comfortable top of 22 degrees expected. Meanwhile, here's Drew Morphett's preview of the first Test below:
9:18am: It's the beginning of a new era for Australia following Ricky Ponting's retirement. His replacement is Phil Hughes, who returns to the scene of the last of his 17 Tests. His second stint in the baggy green was ended by Kiwi pair Chris Martin and Martin Guptill, who brutally exposed the deficiencies in Hughes's oft-criticised technique on no less than four consecutive occasions. But Punter fans never fear - the great man will still be in attendance at his beloved Bellerive when he does a motorcade lap of honour during the lunch break. In other changes to the Test XI, Mitchell Johnson and John Hastings are out with Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus returning to join Mitchell Starc as Australia's pace battery.
9:15am: Bellerive Oval has especially been an unhappy hunting ground for Sri Lanka - the tourists are 0-2 from their visits to the Apple Isle to face Australia in the five-day game.
The venue actually made its debut on the Test scene when the two sides met in December 1989, a match Australia comfortably won by 173 runs and which also played host to Steve Waugh's first Test century on home soil.
9:05am: Jim Maxwell, Drew Morphett, Roshan Abeysinghe, Kerry O'Keeffe, Geoff Lawson and Brett Geeves make up our commentary team in Hobart, with Peter Newlinds patrolling the boundary rope. They will hit the airwaves at 10:05am and you can contact them via email (cricket@abc.net.au), SMS (0467 920 222) or on Twitter (@abcgrandstand, using the hashtag #abccricket).
9:00am: Welcome gang to day one of hostilities at Hobart. Joel Zander here to take you through what promises to be another intriguing clash. Australia is coming off a 309-run loss at the hands of South Africa in Perth, its first Test defeat this year. Sri Lanka meanwhile is chasing its first ever Test victory on Australian soil. Donuts so far from 10 attempts. These two teams last met in Australia at this very ground five years ago, with the home side prevailing by 96 runs.
Tags: sport, cricket, hobart-7000 First posted December 14, 2012 09:06:05
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