Australia vs Sri Lanka Cricket World Cup Highlights: Australia Defeat Sri Lanka, Register 1st Win Of This Edition

After a bit of rain delay, we are all set for Australia's reply to commence. Sri Lankans are in a huddle near the rope before they spread out to take their respective field positions. It will be Mitchell Marsh and David Warner to open the innings for Australia. Lahiru Kumara will start with the new ball for Sri Lanka. Off we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

UPDATE - 6.47 pm IST (1.17 pm GMT) - Great news! The rain has stopped and the covers are off. Considering that it was just a drizzle, it should not take long for the ground staff to get the field ready for play. More promising signs as we have a start time for the Australian run chase. Play will resume at 6.55 pm IST (1.25 pm GMT).

Right then, Australia will be the happier of the two sides at the halfway mark. However, batting under lights isn't easy at this venue and their misfiring batting unit will have to rise to the challenge. Moreover, Australia have failed to cross the 200-run mark twice, and no Aussie batter has managed to score a fifty at this World Cup so far. Will they get the job done here? Or will Sri Lanka make a match out of this? The start of the chase will be a bit delayed as the covers are coming on again, but it is only a slight drizzle. Stick with us for further updates.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be disappointed with this batting effort, especially after the platform laid by the openers. After Kusal Mendis called it right and opted to put runs on the board, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera did a good job of negating the Aussie pacers. They were even helped by the bowlers missing their lines and lengths, which allowed them to ease off the early jitters. Once the movement disappeared, both openers looked at ease, and Perera carried on without any aftereffects of the blow to the helmet. At 125-0 and both batters completing their fifties, Sri Lanka were on course for a much bigger total than they eventually got. Once the two set openers perished, none of the incoming batters were able to handle the pressure and the wickets began to fall like ninepins on either side of the rain interruption. Charith Asalanka did farm the strike over while batting with the tail, but with nine wickets down, he had to go for the shots and was dismissed for 25.

In search of early wickets, Australia's new ball pairing of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood looked to go full, but they erred by bowling too straight and leaking boundaries in the process. Pat Cummins brought himself on as the first change, but he too failed to have any impact. As was the case in the last game against South Africa, the ineffectiveness of the pacers meant Glenn Maxwell was brought into the attack inside the first powerplay. He would have managed to trap Kusal Perera in front of the stumps had it been reviewed. There were a few half chances that Australia missed to convert, which meant they were behind the eight ball. It was Pat Cummins who broke the opening stand and soon went on to account for the other opener. Having had not so great first two games, Adam Zampa proved his worth by removing Sri Lanka's two in-form batters, Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama. Zampa carried on even after the rain break and was supported by Mitchell Starc from the other end. The leggie had the opportunity to become the first Aussie spinner to clinch a five-wicket haul, but Glenn Maxwell wrapped up the innings by making Charith Asalanka his second victim. The bowlers were well backed up by the fielders, especially David Warner whose two excellent catches started the turnaround for Australia.

What's with Asian teams and their batting collapses at this World Cup? First Pakistan, and now Sri Lanka. From 157-2, Sri Lanka lost their last 8 wickets for 52 runs to be bowled out for 209. If you consider the opening wicket partnership of 125 runs, the batting story for the Lankans will look even uglier. As far as Australia are concerned, it has been a tale of two halves. They did not start well but came roaring back to roll Sri Lanka over.

OUT! TAKEN! Glenn Maxwell finishes things off for Australia! He tosses this one up, full and around middle, turns away a bit, Charith Asalanka goes down on one knee for the slog sweep but the spin makes the ball take the top edge and the ball flies in the air in front of long on. Marnus Labuschagne runs forward, settles under it and pouches it safely. Sri Lanka have been bowled out for 209!

The wind seems to have slowed and things have returned to normalcy. Australia will want to get the last wicket quickly.

Tossed up, full and on off, Charith Asalanka uses his feet and chips it over extra covers for a couple of runs.

Short and on middle, Charith Asalanka flicks it off the back foot through mid-wicket but refuses the run.

Back of a length and around off, Dilshan Madushanka gets on top to and stabs it towards point.

Mitchell Starc continues with his fuller length, on middle, angling in again, Dilshan Madushanka once again manages to defend it out down the pitch. He still has one delivery to survive in this over.

Oh, no! The batters are having difficulty seeing the ball due to the dust that is blowing with the wind and have a chat with the umpires. The game is halted for now.

Mitchell Starc bangs in a bouncer at 144 clicks but down the leg sid, Dilshan Madushanka manages to get away from the line of it. Wided.

Another full delivery, on middle, angling in, Dilshan Madushanka gets hit bat down in time and keeps it out to the leg side.

Pitched up, on off, angling in, Dilshan Madushanka steers it towards point.

Fuller one and around off, Charith Asalanka drives it wide of extra covers where the fielder dives to his left to stop it. They cross.

Short of a length and on middle, Charith Asalanka looks to pull it away but toe-ends it down pitch and towards mid on.

Flighted, full and on middle, Dilshan Madushanka turns it to the leg side.