Freelance

Here we are at the end of Day 2 and this Test match is already nearly over.  After predicting a decent Australian total for the 1st innings I was wearing a bit of egg on the face when the Aussies struggled on Day 1, but the poor quality of the pitch really put this effort into perspective on Day 2 when the Sri Lankans brittle batting lineup fared even worse.

Pre-game I couldn't understand why the media was reporting the pitch as a raging turner, yet the markets had the Draw as odds on favourite.  In those situations I usually trust the markets over the media, but I don't think anyone foresaw such a poor strip for cricket.

Personally, I find it disgraceful and the general state of the ground that this match is being played on just as bad.  It seems indicative of the state of Sri Lankan cricket at the moment - it is on the decline and showing signs of decay.

That said, I'm happy to see Clark playing the spin well and Ponting is still showing glimpses of form but hasn't quite clicked yet.  Dissappointed for Khawaja who has a very tough assignment to score runs in these conditions and he may be punished unfairly by the selectors for it.  Lyon would obviously be very happy with his wickets, but even Michael Clark could get a 6-for in these types of dusty conditions so I don't read too much into it.

Australia are now paying 1.19 and so I'm taking the opportunity to green-up and cover my exposures though I will still have a substantial green on Australia.  I would not be surprised to see Australia fold before lunch on Day 3 and Sri Lanka to follow suit before stumps, but there is always a chance that someone like Sangakarra or Jayawardene could dig in and make a game of this.

I hope the ground and pitch is better for the 2nd test at Pallekele.