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Tue, 01 September 2015
India crush Sri Lanka in Colombo to win Test series 2-1

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15:55   India crush Sri Lanka in Colombo to win Test series 2-1

RESULT: INDIA WIN 3RD TEST BY 117 RUNS!

INDIA WIN TEST SERIES 2-1

SL 268-all out (85 ovs); Target: 386 | Scorecard


India outclass Sri Lanka by 117 runs to win the series 2-1. This is India's first overseas series win after four years, with their last one coming in the West Indies in 2011.

Ashwin finished with four wickets in the innings but India's hero with the ball was Ishant, who took five wickets in the first innings to finish with eight wickets in the game.

Not to forget Pujara's 145 not out in the first innings which helped India post 312 on a difficult wicket for batting. Mishra also played a good hand with 59 in the first innings and 39 in the second to go with his three wickets with the bat.

Kohli off to a dream start in his first assignment as the full-time Test captain, winning a series away from home with a young side, who were hit by injuries throughout the three matches.

Ashwin finished as the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 21 wickets, the highest tally by an Indian bowler against Sri Lanka, while Amit Mishra was second with 15 wickets along with Sri Lankans Dhammika Prasad and Herath.
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15:47   India crush Sri Lanka to win Test series 2-1

RESULT: INDIA WIN 3RD TEST BY 117 RUNS!

INDIA WIN TEST SERIES 2-1

SL 268-all out (85 ovs); Target: 386 | Scorecard


Yadav comes on from the other end. He bowls a short ball which Herath pulls to midwicket for a four to take Sri Lanka past the 250-run mark, in the 82nd over.

The next ball is full and swinging as Herath throws his bat at it but gets thick outside edge over the slips for another four.

Herath is having a go at everything. He has another go, looking to heave Yadav over midwicket but is beaten.

Ishant bowls a quick bouncer to Kaushal, who ducks under it and does the same with the next one.

Ashwin comes in to replace Yadav, who got just one over with the new ball. He strikes with his first delivery with the wicket of Herath, who misses the full delivery and is trapped leg before wicket for 11.

Dhammika Prasad comes out all guns blazing. He starts with a slog sweep over midwicket for two runs and two balls later runs down the track and lofts it over mid-on for a four.

He tries to repeat the shot but ends up lofting a simple catch to Binny to walk back for six. Nuwan Pradeep is beaten off the last ball of the over as he plays down the wrong line.

Mishra comes into the attack in place of Ishant as India look to finish off the last pair.

He ends up with a wicket in the over as Pradeep fails to read the googly and is trapped leg before wicket for a duck.
15:30  
Mohandas Menon says Ishant is the fourth Indian fast bowler to take 200 wickets in Tests.

"Ishant Sharma fourth Indian pace bowler to claim 200 Test wkts after Kapil Dev (434), Zaheer Khan (311) and J Srinath (236)," he writes on Twitter.

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15:25   Mathews out for 110, Ishant gets 200th Test wicket

SL 249-7 (81 ovs); Target: 386 | Scorecard


India take the second new ball straightaway after the tea break, giving the red new cherry to Ishant, who strikes in his very first over.

Mathews is trapped leg before wicket for 110 to become Ishant's 200 victim in Test cricket.

It was full and came in sharply as Mathews played down the wrong line and was caught on the crease. He was struck plumb in front of the stumps to end a valiant innings from the Sri Lankan skipper.

For a change, no send-off from Ishant to the departing batsman instead Kohli gives Mathews a pat on his back on his fine knock.

The pitch suddenly seems to have come to life as Ishant gets the ball to move big as Tharindu Kaushal is beaten off the last ball.
15:01   Perera out for 70, Sri Lanka lose 6th wicket

TEA - DAY 5

SL 249-6 (80 ovs); Target: 386 | Scorecard


India would be looking to rush their remaining few overs and get to the new ball as soon as possible.

Perera and Mathews doing well to rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard moving as Indians are bowling a defensive line and length.

Mishra bowling from round the wicket on the rough outside the leg-stump. Mathews attempts the reverse sweep but can't beat the fielder at point as Mishra concedes just a single.

Perera throws his wicket away with a reckless shot. He attempts the reverse from outside the leg stump but hits it straight into the hands of the fielder at point.

Perera walks back for 70 from 106 balls, adding 135 runs for the sixth wicket with Mathews to give Sri Lanka a sniff for victory.

Herath gets off the mark with a single before Mathews sweeps it fine for two runs.

In Ashwin's next over, Herath survives a huge shout for LBW as he defends a full delivery while being struck on the shoes. The next ball turns and bounces as it turns past the edge of the left-hander's bat.

Kohli playing some tricks here as he misfields in the covers and sees if Mathews would take the single but he doesn't. But he turns the fourth ball from Mishra to fine leg to take one and give Herath just two balls to face.

At tea on Day 5, Sri Lanka reach 249 for six in 80 overs, with Mathews unbeaten on a splendid innings of 110 from 237 balls. They still need another 137 runs for victory with a minimum of 36 overs left in the match.

Perera and Mathews provided good entertainment in the post-lunch session as they adopted a positive outlook to score 115 runs from 33 overs. Perera's wicket towards the end of the session proved to be a major wicket for the Indians. His wicket will change Sri Lanka's approach and they would be unlikely to push for victory after the tea break, with their main aim to bat for a draw.

The second new ball will be available straightaway after the tea break and Indians would be hoping to make it count and finish off the Sri Lankans tailenders.
14:44   Mathews hits century as Sri Lanka make good progress

SL 237-5 (73 ovs); Target: 386 | Scorecard


Mishra comes back and immediately beats Mathews with the full delivery but umpire Nigel Llong turns down the loud appeal. That was very close and the umpire says it got an inside edge but replays shows there was no edge. Mathews is lucky to have survived that appeal because that looked plumb in front.

He drives the third ball down the ground past mid-on for two runs and then picks a single to thirdman.

Mishra drops short as Perera rocks back and cuts it through point for a four.

Sri Lanka are 219 for five in 70 overs with another 10 overs to go for the second new ball.

Binny bowls a good testing over to Mathews, who is beaten by a full outswinger which tempts him to have a poke.

Perera cutting loose as he sweeps Mishra fine on the leg side for a four and in the next over hammers a short ball from Binny through the covers for the same result.

In the same over, Mathews hits Binny through the off-side for a four to complete his century in grand style, from 217 balls, his seventh in Test cricket.

The last ball is again on the pads and Mathews eases it past midwicket for the third four of the over. This is all going Sri Lanka's way and could put in pole position to dream of victory in the final session.
14:10   Perera hits another 50, Mathews closes in on century

SL 212-5 (69 ovs); Target: 386 | Scorecard


A short spell for Ishant before he makes way for medium pacer Binny, who starts with a maiden over to Mathews.

In the next over, Perera flicks Ashwin to square to take Sri Lanka past the 200-run mark, in the 68th over, with another 186 needed for a win.

Mathews edges the last ball which goes past the slip fielder for three more runs.

Binny drops short in the next over as Mathews slashes it through the covers for a four to take his score into the 90s. That boundary also raises the 100-run stand for the sixth wicket between Mathews and Perera.

Perera pulls a short ball from Binny through square leg for a four to bring up his second fifty in his debut match, from 89 balls.

India have to be careful with the scoring rate and not let Sri Lanka score freely as that will put them in with a good chance in the final hour if they have wickets in hand.
13:55  

SL 197-5 (65 ovs); Target: 386 | Scorecard


Perera reads the googly from Mishra and offers no stroke as the ball goes straight on past the stumps. The next ball is short and wide as the left-hander rocks and punches it through point for a four. Perera comes down the track to the last ball of the over and lofts it over midwicket for another boundary.

Ishant is back as India are desperate to make a breakthrough and get into the tail.

Mathews flicks the first ball through midwicket for two runs before he easily plays out the rest of the over.

Change of ends for Ashwin as Perera turns the first ball on the leg side for one and Mathews does the same off the last ball of the over for another single.

The pitch has eased out totally and the Indian bowlers have been to work hard for their wickets.

Ashwin bowling from round the wicket as Mathews and Perera pick a single before the former gets a glove which slips down the leg side for a four.

Indians won't be worried yet but Sri Lanka have made good progress in the post-lunch session and if they last this session without losing a wicket, they could be in with a chance as well.

Sri Lanka have reached 197 for five in 65 overs, with another 189 needed for victory.
13:24   Mathews, Perera frustrate Indian bowlers on Day 5

SL 175-5 (59 ovs); Target: 386 | Scorecard


Kohli decides to bring on spinners from both ends with pacers not getting any amount of help.

The spinners start with a maiden each as India look to bowl on a good line and length and hope for a breakthrough. KL Rahul at short leg nearly pulls off an impossible run out as he stops the drive from Mathews and flicks the ball back to the stumps but misses the direct hit with the batsman out of his crease.

Mathews gets a single from the last ball of the Mishra over to break the sequence of dot deliveries.

Perera can't hold back for too long as he lofts Ashwin over the covers for a four. Mathews sweeps the last ball which goes over the fielder at leg slip and picks two runs in the process.

Sri Lanka are 175 for five in 59 overs, with another 211 needed for victory.
12:50  

SL 145-5 (49 ovs); Target: 386 | Scorecard


This will be the make or break session as far as the series is concerned. Sri Lanka would be hoping Mathews can survive as long as possible, while India know his dismissal would speed up the end.

Ashwin to resume proceedings after the lunch break. Mathews picks a single from the first delivery before Perera does the same two balls later.

It is pacer Umesh Yadav, who will bowl from the other end.

In the next over, Perera pulls Yadav over midwicket for a four and gets a single from the next delivery. The last ball is short and wide as Mathews steers it past point for a four.
12:09   India push for victory, Sri Lanka 134-5 at lunch on Day 5

LUNCH - DAY 5

SL 134-5 (47 ovs); Target: 386 | Scorecard


Both the spinners bowling well, not giving anything away, while creating plenty of chances.

Ashwin drops short as Perera hits it through the off-side for a couple and punches the next ball past mid-off for a four.

Just five to go for lunch as Ishant is called back into the attack for one last go before the break. He oversteps off the very first delivery to give away a no-ball before taking a risky single off the fourth ball to mid-off.

Ishant bowls another no-ball before Sri Lanka go into lunch in the final day on 134 for five in 47 overs, still needing another 252 runs for victory with a minimum of 69 overs left in the day.

It was hard work for the Indian bowlers in the morning as they took two for 67 in 28.5 overs in the morning session.

Mathews, who was caught off a no-ball in the first over of the day, showed great resolve to be unbeaten on 56 from 137 balls at the break, while Perera was not out on 12.

With the ball getting older, batting has become a bit easier as compared to against the new ball but Sri Lanka still have a mountain to climb and India look firmly set to emerge winners.
11:51   Mathews hits half-century to keep Sri Lanka afloat on Day 5

SL 122-5 (43 ovs); Target: 386 | Scorecard


Finally, we have spin as leg-spinner Amit Mishra comes into the attack ahead of Ashwin. Two singles from the first two balls before Mishra gets one to rip and turn beating Mathews who came forward to defend.

Spin from both ends as Ashwin comes into the attack from the other end. Thirimanne gets a leading edge trying to turn it on the leg side as KL Rahul at silly point completed a superb reflex catch, jumping high to somehow intercept the ball, before taking it on the rebound. That gives India the crucial breakthrough and gives Ashwin his first wicket of the match, while also exposing the lower order.

Thirimanne walks back for 12 as Sri Lanka slip to 107 for five in 38 overs with another 279 needed for victory.

Debutant Kusal Perera, who hit a crucial half-century in the first innings, walks out to bat with Sri Lanka in trouble yet again.

He gets off the mark with two runs through the off-side before a single from the fifth ball off Mishra before Ashwin bowls another tidy over.

Mishra beats Mathews yet again with one that turns sharply and even wicketkeeper Ojha fails to collect it cleanly.

In the next over, Mathews completes his fifty, from 118 balls, as he sweeps Ashwin for two runs on the leg side.
11:25  

SL 103-4 (36 ovs); Target: 386 | Scorecard


Yadav has done a good job with the ball and has bowled non-stop since the start of play except for a one over break for change of ends.

Thirimanne getting the measure of the pitch as he turns Binny to square leg for a single but continues to beaten outside the off-stump.

Finally, a break for Yadav as Ishant comes back as Kohli decides to hold back his spinners on Day 5.

It turns out to be quiet over as Mathews is content to defend everything coming his way and retains strike with a single from the last ball of the over.

It is turning out to be a game of patience, with either side looking to see who blinks first. India's pacers are bowling to a good channel on and around the off-stump and hoping the batsmen can make a mistake and get an edge.

Ishant goes a bit straight but Thirimanne is able to flick the full delivery through midwicket for two runs. Ishant switches to round the wicket and bowls it a bit shorter which hits him on the gloves as he looks to defend.

Mathews is looking quite solid and nothing seems to be affecting. A half-volley from Binny is punched down the ground past silly mid-off for a four to take Sri Lanka past the 100-run mark, in the 36th over.
10:52   Mathews, Thirimanne steady SL after early wicket on Day 5

SL 90-4 (30 ovs); Target: 386 | Scorecard


Thirimanne leaves a short rising delivery slanting across but it hits his forearm guard on the way to the wicketkeeper which the umpire also confirms as the Indians appeal for caught behind.

The first bowling change of the day as Stuart Binny comes in to replace Yadav. The third ball is full and a bit wide as Mathews drive it straight down the ground past mid-off for a four.

Still no signs of spin as Yadav changes over to the other end, taking over from Ishant. He concedes just a single as Mathews continues to be solid.

Binny beats Thirimanne outside the off-stump as he is forced to come forward to defend but is beaten.

After 30 overs, Sri Lanka are 90 for four in 30 overs with 296 runs more needed for victory.
10:29  

SL 83-4 (26 ovs); Target: 386 | Scorecard


Yadav gifts Mathews a half-volley on the pads which he clips through square leg for a four, the first of the fifth day.

The Sri Lanka survives a run out opportunity as Ashwin misses with the direct hit at the bowler's end with Mathews stranded halfway down the pitch.

The next ball is a bouncer which hits Thirimanne on the gloves and he is attended to by the physio after that blow.

Yadav bowls a maiden to Mathews as Sri Lanka reach 83 for four in 26 overs with another 303 runs needed for victory and minimum of 90 overs remaining in the day. 
10:15  

SL 77-4 (23 ovs); Target: 386 | Scorecard


Ishant Sharma comes into the attack. He seems to have got the edge of Mathews' bat off the second ball and before the Indians can go up in appeal, the umpire signals it a no-ball for overstepping. That looked like a faint edge and it must be ruled as a lifeline for Sri Lanka and Mathews.

A good probing over from Ishant as he gets good bounce as well and Mathews has done well to see it off.

Yadav gets the early wicket for India as Silva throws his wicket away with a reckless shot. He looks to pull a short ball but mishits it and is caught by Pujara at midwicket to fall for 27.

That is a big boost for India's push for victory, while Sri Lanka can only hope to play for time and bat for a draw.

Lahiru Thirimanne is all at sea as he is beaten three times in a row as Yadav slants it across the left-hander, who is lucky not to edge any of those.

He is again beaten by Ishant in the next over who also gets it to move away from the left-hander. He gets off the mark with two runs on the leg side and manages to defend the rest of the over.
10:01  

SL 73-3 (20 ovs); Target: 386 | Scorecard


Ravichandran Ashwin to kick off proceedings on the final day, as he completes his unfinished over from Day 4.

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews is on strike. He edges the fourth ball of the over which goes past the slip fielder for two runs and gets a single from the next ball.

Kaushal Silva taps the last ball on the leg side which is nearly taken by Cheteshwar Pujara, at short leg, but he cannot get down in time to take the catch.

That could be the only over of spin we see in the first hour and the fast bowlers would be expected to do the damage.

As expected, Umesh Yadav comes into the attack, he will need to be better than his spell on Day 4 when he was totally wayward and bowled everywhere.

He is bowling at a good pitch and maintains a good line and length to Silva, who turns the fifth ball to square leg for two runs, for the only runs of the over.

Sri Lanka are 73 for three in 20 overs, with another 313 needed for victory.
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09:20   India need seven wickets to clinch SL series

Welcome to the coverage of the fifth and final day of the third and final Test between Sri Lanka and India at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, on Tuesday.

India stand seven wickets away from a series-clinching victory after setting Sri Lanka a formidable 386-run victory target on the penultimate day.

Resuming Day 4 on a precarious 21-3 in the bowler-dominated weather-hit contest, the visitors needed a string of cameos from their middle and lower-order batsmen to score 274 in their second innings.

In their first test since batting great Kumar Sangakkara retired, Sri Lanka lost opener Upul Tharanga in the first over and were reeling at 67-3 at the close.

Opener Kaushal Silva (24) and skipper Angelo Mathews (22) were at the crease with the hosts still needing 319 runs for an improbable victory.

Having taken a 111-run first-innings lead, India consolidated their position in the first two sessions at the Sinhalese Sports Club to virtually bat Sri Lanka out of the contest.

Dhammika Prasad bowled with characteristic hostility but Nuwan Pradeep drew first blood, dismissing India captain Virat Kohli (21) who again succumbed to his penchant for pushing at deliveries outside the off-stump.

Rohit Sharma (50) looked more convincing, hitting Pradeep for back-to-back boundaries and bringing up his fourth test fifty before pulling a short Prasad delivery to fine leg.

Stuart Binny (49) came up with a more eventful knock -- playing some risky shots, surviving a stumping opportunity, being hit on the helmet by Prasad and eventually falling agonisingly short of his second test fifty.

Debutant Naman Ojha (35) and Amit Mishra (39) frustrated Sri Lanka while Ravichandran Ashwin (58) registered his fifth test fifty before being the last man out.

Sri Lanka wobbled early in their chase with Ishant Sharma dismissing Tharanga before Umesh Yadav sent back Dimuth Karunaratne -- both caught by wicketkeeper Naman Ojha for nought.

Ishant, who had an animated altercation with Prasad earlier in the day, also dismissed Dinesh Chandimal before giving the batsman a send-off.

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