50 for Marshpublished at 12 overs

12 overs

Aus 74-2

A vital half-century for Australian opener Mitchell Marsh.

A typically aggressive innings from 39 balls, counter-attacking Sri Lanka's exciting new ball spell from Dilshan Madushanka in particular.

He looks determined to lead Australia to a win that'll finally get their World Cup campaign started.

The Australian pair tick six easy runs off Theekshana's latest, and are pretty much in cruise control now.

Mitch Marsh started by whacking the first ball of the innings for four, and he's looked in sparkling form since.

Tim Peach
Test Match Special producer

The wind has died down, and crowds are now being re-admitted into the lower tier. I'm not sure I'd be rushing if I were there, though - there's still a large chunk of banner hanging off to the right of the scoreboard.

Cheers, Stephan.

Those two quick wickets gave Sri Lanka some hope but it's dwindling pretty quickly now.

So that means I get to spend my first day back at work after my honeymoon watching Mitch Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne bat Australia to victory. What a treat.

A little typo in the last entry has Australia briefly chasing 2010, which would be quite something. Marsh wants a single and has to dive for his ground. Misses. Would have been out. Here comes Ffion Wynne. She won't let you down with typing errors...

Carlos Brathwaite
Ex-West Indies all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

You have to get Mitchell Marsh out, he can take the game away from you. He might not make 150, but the pace he scores, a 60 or 70 can break the back of the chase.

Sri Lanka can't stop the runs leaking when Madushanka isn't bowling. Wellalage has bowled three absolute pies here, allowing Marsh to tuck in. Three boundaries off the over. World XI one end, club 3rd XI at the other.

Carlos Brathwaite
Ex-West Indies all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

Nicely clipped away. We saw the lack of athleticism from Theekshana - someone like Warner or Stoinis would probably have made it. Well played from Marnus, he didn't try to fight the swing.

You can see the Madushanka plan. Full, try to swing it, target the pads. Labuschagne has already had a close call and this is another that would be curtains if he misses. Instead, he gets a fine tickle for four.

Phil Long
BBC Test Match Special statistician

In 23 innings, that's Steve Smith's first World Cup duck.

Image source, Getty Images

The third bowling change of the innings from this end, meaning all four overs have had a different bowler. Kumara, Theekshana, back to Kumara, now the left-arm spin of Dunith Wellalage. Maybe Sri Lanka should get Madushanka to bowl from both ends.

Russel Arnold
Former Sri Lanka all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special

The predictability of Kumara just playing into Mitchell Marsh's hands. But you know Marsh, when he hits it, it just flies.

This is like a pair of heavyweights slugging it out. Marsh counter-punches at Madushanka with another square punch that bullets to the point boundary. All happening.

Geoff Lemon
BBC Test Match Special commentator

It's the old trouser pocket flick. Which sent many a batsman down the river before DRS.

Image source, Getty Images

Thigh pad.

Booo.

Geoff Lemon
BBC Test Match Special commentator

Labuschagne has a big smile on his face, so he's confident.

Is this another! Marnus Labuschagne caught down the leg side?

Chris Gaffaney has given it out on the field. Marnus isn't having it...

That Smith lbw was hitting the middle of middle. It's his first duck in a World Cup match.

"Steve Smith never misses those," says our mate Finch on the telly.

I'm worried he's getting emotional.

Tim Peach
Test Match Special producer

Given the issues with falling banners in the first innings, all fans have been moved to the top tier, which means that they are echoing around more under the roof, resulting in a louder crowd.

Marnus Labuschagne is the new man. Australia need him here. Lahiru Kumara comes back, only to be pummeled through point for four by Marsh.