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Australia vs Sri Lanka, Cricket World Cup 2019 LIVE: Scorecard and updates as Sri Lanka start well in record chase

Live updates from the Cricket World Cup

Callum Rice-Coates
Saturday 15 June 2019 07:03 EDT
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Cricket World Cup: Five batsmen to watch

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Australia are looking to return to winning ways against Sri Lanka after losing to India in their previous World Cup match.

Aaron Finch makes one change to the side with Jason Behrendorff replacing Nathan Coulter-Nile, who is struggling with a minor injury.

Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first a The Oval.

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26.0 Australia 119-2 Aaron Finch 69 Steve Smith 9

Smith looks to be hitting his stride after a slow start. He whips the ball through midwicket for four and Australia take nine off Udana’s fourth over.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 12:17
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28.0 Australia 132-2 Aaron Finch 73 Steve Smith 17

Another Udana over ends with a Smith boundary, this time an expertly played square drive. Australia are still moving along quite slowly, but there's some promising signs from Smith early on in his innings.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 12:23
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29.0 Australia 152-2 Aaron Finch 91 Steve Smith 18

Finch goes big... twice. De Silva, who's been remarkably economical so far, sees his first ball of the over edge for four. Then Australia's captain takes charge, smashing one over long-on for six and another down the ground. Twenty runs come from the over and Finch moves closer to a century.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 12:25
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30.0 Australia 159-2 Aaron Finch 93 Steve Smith 22

Sri Lanka bring Malinga back into the attack but his slingshot bowling does nothing to trouble Smith and Finch. Their partnership has now gone beyond 50 and Australia look to be regaining some control. The run rate is back up above five, too, after a real slump following the fall of the first wicket.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 12:31
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31.0 Australia 168-2 Aaron Finch 94 Steve Smith 30

Siriwardana is bowling from the other end, but his first ball is poor and Smith takes advantage, comfortably guiding the ball for four. That sets the tone for the over, which Australia take nine runs from.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 12:35
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32.0 Australia 176-2 Aaron Finch 95 Steve Smith 35

Malinga bowls a full toss with his first delivery of the over which Smith drives for four. Then comes a wide and a no ball for fielding infringements. Smith has a free hit but Malinga pulls out one of his trademark yorkers to prevent a boundary.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 12:40
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32.2 Australia 182-2 Aaron Finch 101 Steve Smith 35

Brilliant from Finch! He smashes the ball over long-off for six to bring up his century in emphatic style. A superb innings from Australia's captain.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 12:42
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33.0 Australia 185-2 Aaron Finch 102 Steve Smith 36

It's taken Finch 100 deliveries to bring up his first century of the tournament. This has been a measured, skillful and powerful innings.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 12:45
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35 Australia 195-2 Aaron Finch 109 Steve Smith 39

Another expertly timed drive from Finch sends the ball racing to the boundary, despite the best efforts of the Sri Lanka fielder. Five come off the 35th over and that takes Australia close to 200.

We'll have a break for drinks.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 12:51
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36.0 Australia 202-2 Aaron Finch 111 Steve Smith 45

A thick edge from Smith runs away for four and Australia bring up 200. It's also the 100 partnership between Finch and Smith, who'll want to up the pace as they head towards the final ten overs.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 12:57

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