Scorecard:

It is safe to say the match will be abandoned.

With the rain pouring and the ground totally soaked it seems highly unlikely that play will resume.

Sri Lanka has made 146 for three in 32.5 overs and that seems to be it.

This game is a washout.

When it is officially declared the two teams will split the points.

Scorecard:

Sangakkara nd Samaraweera's partnership is going from strength to strength.

The Aussies seem worried now.

They need to break this partnership. Even their second referral has gone against them - Samaraweera

However, the rains have arrived.

The covers are on and so is the music.

We'll be back soon.

Scorecard:

Sangakkara nd Samaraweera's partnership is going from strength to strength.

The Aussies seem worried now.

They need to break this partnership. Even their second referral has gone against them - Samaraweera

However, the rains have arrived.

The covers are on and so is the music.

We'll be back soon.

Scorecard:

The ground staff has got ready.

Showers likely to happen any time. Hope the dark clouds pass away.

At least, the rain shouldn't be as bad as it was yesterday.

Meanwhile, Sanga and Samaraweera have complete a 50-run partnership for the fourth wicket even as Australia fall behind as far as the over rate is concerned.

Steve Smith, after a couple of spectacular fielding efforts, has been handed the ball in the 24th over.

Sri Lanka reach the 100-run mark from the third ball he bowls.

Sanga and Thilan are putting in a good little partnership here.

The crowds are back beating drums.

Scorecard:

Steve Smith, after a couple of spectacular fielding efforts, has been handed the ball in the 24th over.

Sri Lanka reach the 100-run mark from the third ball he bowls.

Sanga and Thilan are putting in a good little partnership here.

The crowds are back beating drums.

Scorecard:

Kumar Sangakkara continues his good form by reaching his 61st ODI half century.

A single off Watson helps him reach the landmark.

It is his sixth half century in the World Cup.

He also has 10 ODI tons.

Sri Lankan will need him to play a long innings.

However, Samaraweera survives when a referral rules out a probable leg before chance.

Scorecard:

Jason Krejza has been introduced into the attack in the 17th over.

He concedes just two runs in his opening over but the turn and bounce he has generated must be encouraging for the Sri Lankan spinners.

Krejza almost has Samaraweera stumped in his second over.

There are suddenly clouds to be seen in the sky. The giant screen display says there might be showers.

Will it rain like it did yesterday?

Scorecard:

The crowd is back on its feet, having recovered from the early shocks.

They are being enthralled here by two of their best batsmen.

Howevre, their joy will be ephemeral.

For a brilliant direct hit by Smith (again) ends Mahela's sweet little innings. He made 23 and put on 44 runs with his captain for the third wicket.

To put it bluntly, there was no need to take a quick run at that point.

The crowd gets silenced again.

Scorecard:

Tait is re-introduced into the attack in the 12th over.

And Mahela has welcomed him back with an exquisite boundary between extra cover and mid-off.

Both Mahela and Sanga are looking good here.

An interesting match on the cards, it seems.

Scorecard:

Ricky Ponting has gone ahead and set an aggressive field.

He for sure wants to chase a smaller target.

Mitchell Johnson has replaced Brett Lee in the attack in the 9th over.

And Watson has replaced Tait at the Maligawatte End. Mahela's second boundary a sweet glance to fine leg of Watson.

Scorecard:

A spectacular catch by Steven Smith at point has ensured the end of Upul Tharanga (6), Brett Lee being the beneficiary.

Tharanga and Sangakkara put on 25 runs for the second wicket.

Both the Lankan openers have been removed inside seven overs.

Mahela has eased the pressure with a boundary towards third man.

Scorecard:

Sangakkara hits an exquisite boundary off Lee. The ball races on to the mid-on fence.

The atmosphere is electric. It is difficult to hear what the person sitting besides you is saying because such high are the decibel levels.

And to think of it, the match is just starting.

Scorecard:

Sri Lanka has made a cautious start, just two runs from Brett Lee's first over.

However, the first ball in Tait's second over has been dismissed to the third man boundary by Dilshan.

And there is tension in the second ball as Tait is not allowed to bowl it, Dilshan having a problem with the sightscreen.

However, Tait has his revenge soon after having Dilshan caught by Cameron White at second slip.

Scorecard:

The Sri Lankans fans are ecstatic.

"We are playing three spinners," says Sangakkara, adding, "We have left out Kulasekara.

"We will have to go out and build a good total."

Ponting seems disappointed.

"We will have to do a good job with the new ball," he says adding, "Looks fairly dry this surface.

"We are going with the same side."

Teams:

Sri Lanka:

Kumar Sangakkara (Captain), Upul Tharanga, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Angelo Mathews, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga, Muralitharan Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis.

Australia:

Ricky Ponting (Captain), Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Michael Clarke, David Hussey, Cameron White, Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Jason Krejza, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait.

Kumar Sangakkara has won the toss and has no hesitation in opting to bat first.

It is a match featuring teams that featured in the final in both 1996 and 2007.

In fact 1996 is the only instance in the World Cup, in seven matches, when Sri Lanka managed to get the better of Australia.

Will Lanka manage to better their woeful record?>

What should give them comfort is the fact that of the 75 matches played on this ground, 46 have been won by the side batting first.

Hello and welcome to the live commentary of the Group A match between Australia and Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa stadium here in Colombo.

There is some time for the match to start and it is already an almost packed stadium.

The way things are organised here in Colombo reminds one of India.

There was no chaos throughout. Things were so much under control.

Why don't we see the positives in other countries?