Sri Lanka vs South Africa: 1st T20I | Watch Free Live Streaming - 2 August

Having had a rough time with the visiting South Africans against hosts in the ODI series, the visitors face the Islanders once again in the T20Is from Friday today onward.

The first of the three T20Is is being played at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo Friday today.

Now beware of the Islanders, caution well wishers of the South Africa as Sri Lanka is best when it comes to T20Is. They have been the top-ranked side in the format since October last year, and have arrived at a short-form formula few teams have successfully countered.

The likely opposing squads are as under for today's match:
Sri Lanka:
LD Chandimal*, SL Malinga, TM Dilshan, DPMD Jayawardene, KMDN Kulasekara, RAS Lakmal, AD Mathews, BAW Mendis, BMAJ Mendis, AK Perera, MDKJ Perera†, NLTC Perera, KC Sangakkara†, SMSM Senanayake, HDRL Thirimanne

South Africa:
F du Plessis*, F Behardien, H Davids, Q de Kock†, AB de Villiers†, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, RK Kleinveldt, R McLaren, DA Miller, M Morkel, CH Morris, WD Parnell, AM Phangiso, LL Tsotsobe, D Wiese

As for the pitch, slow surfaces of the Island have compounded South Africa's woes, and they should not expect respite from the Premadasa curators for this match. Thunderstorms continue to blow through Colombo, but the rain expected for Friday is forecast to ease well before the match is set to begin.

The match is scheduled to begin at 19:00 local time (13:30 GMT) on 2 August at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

If you are one of the fans located at different destination and miss the chance to visit the stadium to watch your favorite team, You can now watch the match live on your laptop or desktop computer, FREE, provided you have an internet connection, from the links given below:

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West Indies dismantles Sri Lanka to win the ICC T20I Cricket World Cup

As I wrote in one of my earlier posts that Sunday today was the day of finals - we had two finals at Beijing Open tennis tournament, in which Djokovic and Azarenka were crowned.

In the third final at Colombo, Sri Lanka, the West Indies dismantled hosts Sri Lanka  and won the ICC T20I Cricket World Cup, beating the Islanders by 36 runs.

The victory brings the first world cup to the West Indies after a dry spell of some 330 years, while for Sri Lanka, this was the fifth final in which the failed to win the cup.

Although, winning the toss, the West Indies deciding to bat got into a lot of trouble when Chris gayle, whom the Windies were banking and expecting the performance against Australia, was sent packing to pavillion for just three, while Charles was off for a duck. It was Samuels who stood to te field and scored 78 matching winning runs.  DJ Bravo (19) and captain Sammy (26) were the other top scorers.

From the Islanders, Mendis was the most deadly bowler who took 4/12. However, Malinga, the most dreaded bowler, could not take a wicket.

When Sri Lankans came to bat, they faced a fierce resistance from the Windies bowlers who restricted their score so tightly that instead of scoring, the wickets started to fall at a rapid pace. And except for Jayawardne (33), Sangakkara (22) and later Kulasekara (26) no other batsmen could score in double digits. S P Narine from the Windies took three valuable wickets for mere 9 runs.

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M N Samuels was declared player of the match for his impressive 78 runs and a wicket for 15. S R Watson from Australia was declared player of the series.

The match today is also the last match of Umpire S J A Taufel who bids farewell to umpiring and is off to his home to rest. His departure will rob the cricket from a very seasoned, professional and upright bold umpire. We wish him best of luck for the future.

There is yet another news that Jayawardne, the Sri Lankan captain for the T20I has announced that he has stepped down from the captaincy of the T20I squad of Sri Lanka.

Watch Live T20I Final: Sri Lanka vs West Indies - Free Streaming | 7 October

Sunday today at Colombo, Sri Lanka is the day when the ongoing ICC T20I cricket World Cup comes to its culmination with the hosts Sri Lanka taking on the West Indies in the much awaited final.

Both West Indies and the Islanders have fought their way well into the final. West Indies almost ripped apart the Kangaroos in the semi finals when they gave an unreachable target of 206 to the Australians and then dismantled the Kangaroos for 131 only.

As for the Sri Lanka, they had a tough semi final with Pakistan. Pakistani batsmen restricted the Islanders to a manageable and chasable target - but it were the unpredictable Pakistani batsmen who failed to chase the target and lost by 16 runs.

As against Australia  West Indian Gyle will have to be closely watched by the Sri Lankan bowlers for he is the power behind the Sammy's XI and if the Islanders fail to harness him, their hold on match will weaken. Although Gayle pled up a side strain during match with Australia he is likely to be fit for today's final.

Si Lanka will be battling to win a second T20I title after almost a gap of 16 years since 1996, while it will be a second title for the Windies after a gap of 30 years since 1983. 

The opposing squads are as under:

Sri Lanka:

DPMD Jayawardene*, AD Mathews, LD Chandimal†, A Dananjaya, TM Dilshan, RMS Eranga, HMRKB Herath, KMDN Kulasekara, SL Malinga, BAW Mendis, BMAJ Mendis, EMDY Munaweera, NLTC Perera, KC Sangakkara†, HDRL Thirimanne

West Indies:

DJG Sammy*, DJ Bravo, S Badree, DM Bravo, J Charles, FH Edwards, CH Gayle, SP Narine, KA Pollard, D Ramdin†, R Rampaul, AD Russell, MN Samuels, LMP Simmons, DR Smith

The weather forecast is cloudy with a chance of thunderstorm - which may disrupt the match and break the momentum.

The match is scheduled for Sunday, 7 October 2012 at 13:30 GMT at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

If you are one of the fans located at different destination and miss the chance to visit the stadium to watch your favorite team, You can now watch the match live on your laptop or desktop computer, FREE, provided you have an internet connection, from the links given below:

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West Indies thrash Kangaroos in the ICC T20I Cricket World Cup semi final

Those who watched the West Indians thrashing the Kangaroos, must have enjoyed watching almost a one sided battle at Colombo this evening.

Batting first, the West Indies simply outclassed the Aussies' bowlers who could not restrict the Windies till they reached 205 for four. And as expected by many, it was Gayle who was the centre of attraction and made the difference.  Even Australian captain Bailey had to admit after the match that they were absolutely outplayed. "Although Gayle was subdued for a while but while he's at the crease he's always in your mind. But we set ourselves to get to the semi-finals and I don't think there's one area specifically where we can improve on. But from tonight you can probably say all three!" said Bailey.

Gayle with his impressive 75 remained not out.

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When the Aussies came to bat, they got into trouble right from the outset as their wickets started falling at much rapid pace they would have ever imagined. Warner and Watson were bowled by Badree for 1 and 7 - openers that Aussies were banking on. It was Bailey who tried to save the team who scored 63, but it was too late as they could make only 131 in stipulated 20 overs.

So the Sammy's XI march into the finals taking on the hosts Sri Lanka in the final being played Sunday evening. Don't miss to watch the finals - it sure is gonna be fun.

India beat South Africa by 1 run - But Pakistan qualifies for the T20I semi final

What a day it was today as we witnessed two of the most sensational T20I matches being played as part of the ICC T20I World Cup 2012 at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

It was Pakistan playing against Australia to secure a place for the semi final, which however was conditional on the outcome of the second match between India and South Africa.

As for the first match, a time came when even Australia's sailing through to semis looked doubtful as Pakistan had sufficiently contained the Kangaroos. However, the Australians, needing 112 to qualify for the semis, did meet the target but could not make more than 117, which resulted in a huge defeat by 32 runs at the hands of Pakistan.

However, even after winning over the Australians, Pakistan still needed India to lose against the South Africans or at least South Africans lose by 33 runs. And what a superb performance the South Africans displayed. They not only achieved the 121 runs mark to allow Pakistan to qualify for the semis, but also made their utmost effort to win over the Indians as  a matter of pride. The match ended in India's favour with only run needed for the South Africans to win over the Indians.

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While India and South Africa leave for home, the South Africans will do it with their heads high as they displayed the highest degree of sportsmanship and resilience to win over the Indians, even when winning did not matter at all. Well played South Africa.

Pakistan now plays its semi final against Sri Lanka, while Australia plays against the West Indies.

India beat Pakistan by 8 wickets in ICC T20I Super Eights

Many expected this to happen, but still they believed that Pakistani batsmen will play responsibly and win over their crucial match with India and go straight for the semis with Australia.

But this was not to be so.

Pakistan winning the toss elected to bat and were in such a hurry to let the Indian play their innings that they did not take long to vacate the  R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo for the Indians to come in and win the match.

Except for Shoaib Malik and Umer Akmal who crossed twenties, none other crossed 15 and the whole team was back with 128 runs. When everything looked bleak, everyone looked up to Umer Gul to repeat his perevious performance of 32 against South Africa, but bowlers don't click everyday and he was back with 12.

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Indians, though lost their first wicket of Gambhir at the hands of young inexperienced Raza Hassan in his very second ball (c/b Raza), were composed and lost only one more wicket at the hands of Afridi when Sehwag was out at 29. Thereafter, they cruised comfortably to reach the target with 18 balls remaining and wickets in hand.

Kohli sparked with his 78 not out and Yuvraj with 19 still on the crease when India won the match. Unlike Pakistani batsmen who looked gittery to score, the Indian played a very calculated and composed game and won  while playing a very relaxing game.

Now both Pakistan and India have a chance with a narrow NRR. Pakistan's NRR at this stage is -0.43 while India's is -0.45. Pakistan will have to beat an aggressive Australia, while India will have to ease over a rather docile South Africa. Who does it will matter - we shall have to wait and see who.

India vs Sri Lanka: 4th ODI | Free Streaming Links - 31 July 2012

India plays its fourth ODI against the hosts Sri Lanka Tuesday morning today at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

India is on a winning spree against the Islanders, and would like to keep the momentum with a lead of 2-1. The third ODI exhibited a record 92 runs sixth wicket partnership by the visitors' Suresh Raina and Irfan Pathan. This superb performance came, after the Indians suffered one of their lowest toal in the second ODI.

Sri Lankans are finding difficulty with their batting line and unlss they show some improvement today, they are likely to be heading for a set back again.

The probable squads for the 4th ODI are:

Sri Lanka: DPMD Jayawardene*, AD Mathews, LD Chandimal, TM Dilshan, N Pradeep, HMRKB Herath, CK Kapugedera, SL Malinga, BMAJ Mendis, NLTC Perera, KC Sangakkara†, SMSM Senanayake, WU Tharanga, HDRL Thirimanne, I Udana

India: MS Dhoni*†, V Kohli, R Ashwin, AB Dinda, G Gambhir, Z Khan, PP Ojha, IK Pathan, AM Rahane, SK Raina, V Sehwag, R Sharma, RG Sharma, MK Tiwary, UT Yadav

The match is scheduled for Tuesday, 31 July 2012 at 09:00 GMT

If you are one of the fans located at different destination and miss the chance to visit the stadium to watch your favorite team, You can now watch the match live on your laptop or desktop computer, FREE, provided you have an internet connection, from the links given below:

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Rain in Colombo frustrate Pakistan's hopes to equalize

After a miserable first test match loss by 209 runs with a day to spare, the visiting Pakistan cricket team rebounded on the first and second day of the second test at Colombo to much surprise to the hosts Sri Lanka and fans too.

The superb 4 runs less double century by Muhammad Hafeez, his career best, and Azhar Ali's 157 ensured a strong case of winning the second test and equalizing the 1-1 the wo tests.

But then came rains - and came they heavily to whitewash hopes of the visitors to avenge the first test defeat.

Pakistan declared their first innings on an imposing 551-6 and claimed an early wicket as Sri Lanka went to lunch on 70-1. 

But then rain stopped any further play after lunch.

We wait if clouds give way for play and Pakistan's hard work comes to their benefit. So far it looks it is for the benefit of the hosts as they are looking for a test series win against Pakistan.

Pakistan's Hafeez shows teeth to Sri Lanka with his career best 172

Pakistan's opener Muhammad Haffez showed his teeth to the hosts Sri Lanka on the first day of the 2nd Test at Colombo by his unbeaten career best 172.

Muhammad Hafeez scores 196 on Day-2 of 2nd test against Sri Lanka at Colombo

Pakistan cricket squad, which was mauled for 209 runs by the Islanders with a day to spare in the first test at Galle, looked over confident for a repeat performance in the second test.

Sri Lankan must be licking their decision and gamble of opting to field despite winning the toss Saturday morning at Colombo when Hafeez struck with his fifth test century and career best 172 on day one of the 2nd test match. 

Hafeez's superb almost double century put Pakistan in a commanding position with 334-1 on day one.  Hafeez, Pakistan's vice captain, shared 256 runs for the second wicket partnership with Azhar (92 not out), followed by the opening stand with Taufiq, who fell victim to Mathews at 65.

However, after the day-2 started, Hafeez could not complete his second century and was back in pavilion for 196 bowled by Herath. Azhar Ali has made his century and is at 121, playing with Younis Khan at the time of writing this post.

Watch free live streaming of the 2nd day of the 2nd test HERE

Pakistan Vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Live Streaming | Jun 30-Jul 4, 2012

Pakistan, after a miserable performance in its first test match against Sri Lanka, plays the second test at Colombo beginning 30 June.

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the first test at Galle by 209 runs right on the fourth day and now leads Pakistan 1-0 in  athree test matches series.  The miserable performance by the visitors came after the loss of the five ODI series to Sri Lanka 3-1, with one of the ODIs, the fourth one,  wshed away in rain.

Sri Lanka has not won a Test series since defeating New Zealand 2-0 at home in August 2009 and is eagergly eyeing the second test and win the series at least 2-1 or even completely whitewash it.

Thanks to weak Pakistan batting line which has failed not only in the first test but aslo in the ODI series. Whatever gains Pakistan side has had is attributed to the bowlers, specially the spinners. as Pakistan's spinners claimed 11 of 14 Sri Lankan wickets at Galle. saeed Ajmal came out on top with seven wickets.

Let us watch the 2nd ODI with the hope that Pakistani nbatsmen shien for a change or else lose the series to the Islanders.

The opposing teams for the second test are:

Sri Lanka: DPMD Jayawardene*, AD Mathews, LD Chandimal, TM Dilshan, ANPR Fernando, CRD Fernando, HMRKB Herath, HAPW Jayawardene†, S Randiv, KMDN Kulasekara, BMAJ Mendis, NT Paranavitana, NLTC Perera, TT Samaraweera, KC Sangakkara

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq*, Abdur Rehman, Adnan Akmal†, Afaq Raheem, Aizaz Cheema, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Faisal Iqbal, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Ayub, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Sami, Saeed Ajmal, Taufeeq Umar, Umar Gul, Younis Khan

The test match is scheduled from June 30 - July 4 2012 daily at 04:30 GMT at Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Colombo.

If you are one of the fans located at different destination and miss the chance to visit the stadium to watch your favorite team, You can now watch the match live on your laptop or desktop computer, FREE, provided you have an internet connection, from the links given below:

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Watch Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 5th ODI Free Live Streaming 18 June

The hosts Sri Lanka, leading the five ODI series against visitors Pakistan 2-1, with one one match washed away by rains, play  the fifth ODI on Monday, 18 June 2012.

Pakistan is having a bad time in cricket as its batsmen continue to fail and get descrated at the hands of bowlers of any team they play and dash any hope which its bowlers create for the the top men t take advantage of.

Now it is to be seen if the visitors can make it 2-2 by winning the last ODI Monday. But that is not what the predictors are predicting - their votes are in favour of the hosts who are out there to prove they are lions at home fields.

Possible opposing teams:

Pakistan: 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Azhar Ali, 3 Asad Shafiq, 4 Younis Khan, 5 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 6 Umar Akmal, 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 9 Sohail Tanvir, 10 Umar Gul/Mohammad Sami, 11 Saeed Ajmal.

Sri Lanka: 1 Upul Tharanga, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 5 Dinesh Chandimal, 6 Lahiru Thirimanne, 7 Angelo Mathews, 8 Thisara Perera, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Sajeewa Weerakoon.

The 5th ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is scheduled for 18 June, Monday at R Premadassa stadium, Colombo. The match commences 09:00 GMT.

If you are one of the fans located at different destination and miss the chance to visit the stadium to watch your favorite team, You can now watch the match live on your laptop or desktop computer, FREE, provided you have an internet connection, from the links given below:

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Sri Lanka v Pakistan: Watch Live Online Free Streaming - Colombo 4th ODI 16 June 2012

Having drawn the series of five ODIs 1-1, with the thrid ODI washed away by rain, the visiting Pakistan cricket team under Misbah u Hassan play their fourth ODI against the hosts Sri Lanka at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on saturday, 16 June 2012.

The weather at Colombo is again frecast as scattered thunderstorm with temperature ranging between 27 - 30° C. Therefore, on Pakistan's request, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has made a provision for reserve days for the two remaining ODIs against Pakistan in Colombo.

I was amazed to find one interesting remark at cricinfo where one commenets read: "Can we build a roof close stadium in Colombo. Then we can schedule any match wiout any problem. When we are going to lose we will open the roof. We will be first nation in Asia to build a roof close stadium."

Pakistan team has no changes for this match.

The match is scheduled for Saturday, 16 June 2012 at 09:00 GMT at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

If you are one of the fans located at different destination and miss the chance to visit the stadium to watch your favorite team, You can now watch the match live on your laptop or desktop computer, FREE, provided you have an internet connection, from the links given below:

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3rd ODI Sri Lanka vs Pakistan washed away in rain

Third ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka that kicked off at Colombo has been washed away by torrential rains Wednesday.

Pakistan winning the toss elected to bat. But when they were hardly 12/2 in about 6.3 overs, the match had to be suspended and later abandoned due to torrential rains over Colombo.

In fact the rains came to the rescue of the visitors as both their openers Hafeez and Azhar were sent back to pavillion for a total score of 12. 

It was Malinga that showed Hafeez the way to pavillion in the first over, while Azhar was forced to follow suit in the sixth over.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: Watch Live Free Streaming - 3rd ODI Colombo 13 June 2012

After a rather surprised defeat at the hands of the hosts, Pakistan teams reaches Colombo to play the third ODI agianst Sri Lanka. even the remianing two ODIs will alos be played at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka

While Pakistan outdid the hosts in the first ODI, there was a complete chaos in the second ODI. Pakistan cricketers were rather stunned by the Sri Lankan Thisara Perera and Tillakaratne Dilshan.

Pakistan have won eight of their previous nine ODIs at the R Premadasa stadium. Now with the present state and very abysmal level of fielding, it is very difficult to predict anything for the visitors. However, the Pakistan captain Misbah says that they have learnt from their 'mistakes' and will try to make it up in the third ODI - we wait and see.

But there is onw thating that may matter more than the teams: The Weather, which has been forcast as rain for the afternoon and evening at Colombo. Or should we say it is going to come to rescue of either of the two teams - who knows.

The likely opposing squads for Wednesday's 3rd ODI are:

Pakistan: 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Azhar Ali, 3 Younis Khan, 4 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 5 Umar Akmal, 6 Shahid Afridi, 7 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 8 Sohail Tanvir, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Mohammad Sami/Rahat Ali

Sri Lanka: 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Dinesh Chandimal, 5 Upul Tharanga, 6 Lahiru Thirimanne, 7 Angelo Mathews, 8 Thisara Perera, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Sachithra Senanayake, 11 Lasith Malinga

The match is scheduled for Wednesday, 13 June 2012 at 09:00 GMT at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

If you are one of the fans located at different destination and miss the chance to visit the stadium to watch your favorite team, You can now watch the match live on your laptop or desktop computer, FREE, provided you have an internet connection, from the links given below:

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Sri Lanka-England Test Match: England dominates Sri Lanka

England had to dominate in the second test lest they slipped from the world number one ranking. Although, it is too early to say whether England fianlly wins or not, but by Day-3, England is in a commanding position.

Today, the Day-3 saw England's Pietersen disregarding hosts' bowlers and scored impressive 151 off 165 balls, which inlcuded six mighty sixes. Besides Pietersen, Alastair Cook remained six shor t of a century, while Jonathan Trott scored 64. England is was all out for 460, a little before the bales off.

Sri Lanka made four runs before the day's play ended and now trails behind the visitors by 185 runs.

Day-4 tomorrow will be crucial for both the hosts and the visitors. If Sri Lanka can get hold of the match, they can over awe the visitors and maycreate a dilemma for their ranking.

Tomorrow's match, that is Day-4 on Friday, can be watched live free on line form the links given in my earlier post:  England vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test: Watch Live Online Free

England in strong position against Sri Lanka on Day-2 of 2nd Test

Dumping Sri Lanka in the first innings for mere 275, England struck with the full might of its batsmen to have  a grip on the 2nd test against Sri Lanka on the 2nd day at Colombo.

Sri Lanka started the day with a score of 238 for six - but the remaining four wickets fell for just 37 runs and the hosts were called in to field against England.

England batsmen Andrew Strauss (61) and opener Alastair Cook (77) hit half centuries to reach stumps 121 behind on 154 for one.

Let us watch Day-3 match tomorrow and see whether this strength gives visitors a window of opportunity to cash on and win the match - something badly to maintain the World Number One ranking.

For Live streaming links for the 3rd of play go to our earlier post: England vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test: Watch Live Online Free

Sri Lanka manages to keep itself intact on first day for 238/6 against England [2nd Test]

Like the first test, the openers did not click in the second test for Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka really looked cramped for runs and quite disheartened when it lost three of its batsmen for mere 30.

England today had made two changes: Steve Finn and Tim Bresnan had been inducted to replace Monty Panesar and the injured Stuart Broad.

Having won the toss Tuesday morning, the hosts decided to bat but met a disaster when England's James Anderson struck with his full might and sent back three of Sri Lanka's stalwarts for paltry 30 runs. Dilshan was first to fall prey to Anderson when the total score was 21, followed by Sangakkara when the score was still 21 and then Thirimanne marched off to pavilion at 30. It was captain Mahela Jayawardene who stood firmly on the crease and scored his second century, as he did in the first test (he scored mighty 180), and took the score to 238 for 6. Jayawardene was lbw by Graeme Swannwhen he had just scored his century and was playing at 105. 

At the close of the play today,  Angelo Mathews, 41, and Suraj Randiv, 5 were on the field when the bails were put off for the day.

The event to mention for the day was the DRS appeal against  Samaraweera when he was at 34. The ball by Andy Flower was a catch at short leg but umpire Asad Rauf did not raise his finger. The DRS appeal took a long time with repeated replays as we saw on TV and ultimately Rauf's decision was upheld by the third umpire Rod Tucker and the match continued, much to the dislike of Flower. 

England is struggling to win the second test, as otherwise it will be difficult for them to hold their top position as World Number One, which has already been severely dented by Pakistan's 3-0 win test series against them. If England loses, it will largely benefit South Africa which will take the top position in the world ranking.

well then, this is all for today - we wait and see whether England succeeds in early packing-off of the remaining Sri Lanka batsmen Wednesday and take command of the game or otherwise.