David Warner was run out for 57 on the final delivery before lunch as Australia reached 2-97 on day one of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Bellerive Oval.

The mix-up between Warner and Phil Hughes (27 not out) was a shattering blow for the home side who had fought back from 1-18 to look in control of proceedings in overcast conditions.

Skipper Michael Clarke won the toss on Friday morning and chose to bat on a green-tinged pitch despite a series of low scores for teams batting first in recent Sheffield Shield matches in Hobart.

Warner lost his opening partner in the sixth over when Ed Cowan (four) top-edged a pull shot to mid-on from the bowling of Chanaka Welegedara.

Hughes, the former opener who has returned to the crucial No.3 position after a year-long absence from the Test team, has hit three fours from 59 balls.

While Hughes looked composed in his first Test for a year, Warner was the player who appeared set for a big innings after crunching eight fours in his 89-ball knock.

Cowan had made a tentative start and was dropped at third slip from the first ball that he faced and the second delivery of the day, bowled by Nuwan Kulasekara.

Tasmania’s Cowan almost fell for golden ducks in consecutive Tests after his first-ball failure against South Africa in Perth.

While Cowan enjoyed the best series of his short career against South Africa, scoring 228 runs, the 30-year-old left-hander’s average has dropped to under 33 in his 11th match following Friday’s failure with the bat.

Fourth-gamer Shaminda Eranga was introduced in the 10th over of the day and Hughes shook off any nerves about his Test comeback by blasting two superb cover drives to the boundary in the seamer’s first over.

Hughes and Warner registered their half-century stand but Warner had a stroke of luck on 37 when he inside-edged a ball from Welegedara to the boundary.

In Welegadara’s next over, Warner edged through the vacant third slip to move to 49 and reached his half-century next ball with a pull shot for two.

Former opener Hughes returns to the side at No.3, replacing Australia’s all-time leading runscorer Ricky Ponting who has retired.

Tasmania’s Ponting, 37, was given a lap of honour at the lunch interval on Friday before heading to Melbourne to play for BBL team Hobart Hurricanes on Saturday night.

As he followed Sea Siren off the training track at Sha Tin on Thursday, John O’Shea could barely hold himself back to a brisk canter.

And an hour-or-so later when the mare drew ideally in barrier seven for Sunday’s $ HK15 million Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), the trainer almost broke into a gallop.

“That’s just what we wanted, it’s beautiful,” O’Shea said.

Sea Siren performed a similarly attractive piece of work to prepare for what it is hoped will be her fourth Group One victory on Sunday in a race that has been almost totally dominated by locals since the Queenslander Falvelon scored the second of his two wins in the event in 2001.

Only the South African JJ The Jet Plane, who won in 2010, has interrupted the locals who have won 10 of the past 11 runnings.

But Sea Siren is regarded by keen form students in Hong Kong as the best Australian-trained prospect in a decade.

Sea Siren galloped on the course proper at Sha Tin on Thursday, having had an easier time in boggy conditions the previous day.

“I was very pleased with her this morning,” O’Shea said.

“I didn’t ask her to do much on Wednesday and on Tuesday she was a bit fresh and wanted to rip and tear.

“Today she was much more relaxed.

“I only wanted her to stretch her legs, not break any records.”

O’Shea was nevertheless keen to get back to the barn to check the mare over after her work.

“She’s very well, I just want to get back there and make sure.”

Australia’s second representative on the international program, Alcopop, also followed an impressive workout with a perfect draw, coming up with barrier four in the Group One $ HK22 million Hong Kong Cup (2000m).

Trainer Jake Stephens reported the Mackinnon Stakes winner to be “completely over” the issues that caused him to lose weight soon after his arrival and the horse turned out in good order to work on the all-weather track on Thursday.

Like O’Shea, Stephens appreciates the enormity of the task confronting Alcopop whose opposition includes the world’s highest-ranked racehorse, Cirrus Des Aigles, but believes the horse has acquitted himself well against good class opposition already this preparation.

“This is a fantastic experience for me and for the horse,” he said.

“He’ll run the best race he can, I’m sure of it.”

As well as Cirrus Des Aigles who drew alongside him in five, Alcopop will be opposed by local star and defending Cup champion California Memory who ran one of the best races of his career last start in the Cup trial, overcoming a chequered passage to beat Irian who is also in Sunday’s line-up.

Australia already require a world record chase to win the third Test, but an explosive spell from recalled quick Mitchell Johnson has at least dented South Africa’s stranglehold on the series decider.

Johnson held onto his second brilliant caught-and-bowled for the match to bring an end to the superb innings of dangerman Hashim Amla for 196 from 221 balls.

Left-armer Johnson (3-77) also cleaned up Dean Elgar for a duck – giving him a pair on debut – to have the Proteas 5-467 at tea on day three, already in possession of a massive 529-run lead.

AB de Villiers reverse-swept Nathan Lyon for three consecutive boundaries to break some scratchy recent form and bring up his century.

De Villiers is unbeaten on 116 from 145 balls and at the crease alongside the South African with the midas touch, Faf du Plessis on 2.

South Africa are firm favourites to win the Test and stay atop the world Test rankings, but there’s a window now for Australia to bowl the rampant Proteas out and give themselves more than two days to pull off the chase of their lives.

The sheer dominance of Amla – who stroked 21 boundaries – pushed Australia to the brink, retiring great Ricky Ponting one of eight bowlers asked to roll the arm over by desperate skipper Michael Clarke.

Ponting must play a crucial role with the bat in the fourth innings if he’s to be any hope of closing the curtains on his 168-Test career with a win.

Australia fought hard and at least slowed the run-rate down from the final session madness on day two, but only Jacques Kallis (37) fell on Sunday before lunch.

Amla, who was 99 overnight with South Africa 2-230, brought up his second century of the series in the first over of the day.

It was the 29-year-old run-machine’s 18th Test century, and comfortably his quickest.

Amla was unlucky to go, middling one straight back down the wicket, only for Johnson to show lightning reflexes to take the grab.

Johnson also had Alviro Petersen (23) sensationally caught and bowled in a diving effort on day two.

Elgar was trapped lbw by Johnson four balls later, to make a demoralising pair on debut.

However, de Villiers smashed fourteen boundaries and an enormous straight six off Lyon to continue the momentum for the tourists.

Fast bowler Mitchell Starc (2-141) got rid of Kallis, when he top-edged a hook shot to Johnson in the deep, but was very expensive.

South Africa scored a WACA record 4-414 in the fourth innings to beat Australia back in 2008 and the world record chase is 418 by West Indies against Australia in 2003.

But Clarke’s humiliated troops are staring down the barrel of having to chase more than 600.

Australia made just 163 in reply to South Africa’s 225, giving up a first innings lead of 62.

Retiring batsman Ricky Ponting will be aiming to bow out of the Test arena in grand style by helping Australia to a win in the third Test against South Africa at the WACA Ground.

Ponting shocked his teammates on Thursday when he announced his retirement, with the Perth Test to be his farewell appearance for Australia.

The 37-year-old conceded his recent poor form convinced him it was the right time to retire.

But with Australia needing to beat South Africa in order to assume the No.1 Test ranking, Ponting says he’s more determined than ever to produce a big score for his country.

“I’m hungrier than ever and I want this win more than any game I’ve ever played in,” Ponting said.

“To get back to the top of the tree and No.1 in the world, there’s no better time for me to finish.”

The match, starting Friday, will also mark Mitchell Johnson’s return to the Test arena after injuring his toe against South Africa last November.

He’ll be asked to lead a bowling attack missing James Pattinson (side strain) and rested duo Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle.

Four-Test rookie Mitchell Starc has also been recalled, while Josh Hazlewood, John Hastings and spinner Nathan Lyon will battle it out for the remaining two spots.

Australia skipper Michael Clarke was waiting until match morning to decide whether to stick with a spinner, or go for an all-out pace attack.

South Africa remain hopeful star all-rounder Jacques Kallis, who injured his hamstring in the drawn Adelaide Test, will be able to play as a specialist batsman.

The Proteas are set to replace wayward spinner Imran Tahir with Robin Peterson, while fit-again paceman Vernon Philander is almost certain to replace Rory Kleinveldt.

The series is locked at 0-0, with South Africa only needing a draw to retain the No.1 Test ranking.

Australia have taken a stranglehold on the 2nd Test immediately after Peter Siddle came out firing on day three.

Nonetheless the very good news was soured by an damage concern above quick bowling ace James Pattinson, who left the Adelaide Oval with side soreness and has been rushed for scans.

South Africa are 7-273 at lunch on Saturday, trailing Australia’s first innings total of 550 by 277 runs with three wickets in hand.

A fired-up Siddle (2-64) claimed the wicket of essential guy Graeme Smith (122) in dramatic conditions and then had AB de Villiers (1) lbw in his following more than as Australia took three-7 within 4 overs.

The wickets fell too quickly for the South African health-related staff, who didn’t have adequate time to perform on Jacques Kallis’ hamstring to send him out to bat at No.7.

As a substitute he arrived at the crease when the injury had been completed at 7-250.

Kallis clutched for his right hamstring as Siddle sent a barrage of short balls at him before lunch.

But the star allrounder soldiered on to be 11 not out, with debutant Faf du Plessis unbeaten on 26.

South Africa added 56 to their overnight score of 2-217.

Spinner Nathan Lyon (one-66) started the rot in the seventh over on day three, when he had Jacques Rudolph caught at quick cover by Rob Quiney for 29.

In the following in excess of Siddle ripped in and identified some movement in the Adelaide Oval wicket to have Smith caught behind possessing additional just 11 to his overnight score.

Smith was adamant he hadn’t hit the ball, and right away requested a evaluation.

On Friday Smith acquired a reprieve when hot-spot showed he hadn’t nicked a Pattinson (-41) delivery.

But on Saturday to Siddle, the slightest of marks showed up on Smith’s blade, and although he didn’t like it, he was back to the pavilion.

South Africa also challenged the lbw shout on de Villiers, but maybe that was out of sheer desperation – as replays confirmed the ball was hitting middle and leg.

Ben Hilfenhaus (two-43) also chipped in to get Dale Steyn (one) pushing meekly to Ricky Ponting at 2nd slip, ahead of knocking Rory Kleinveldt’s () leg stump out of the ground.

Issues were going swimmingly for Australia, until drama struck in the 83rd over when Pattinson was forced from the field immediately after just the 1st ball of his 2nd in excess of of the day.

Pattinson was right away consulted on the boundary by Australian physio Alex Kountouris.

The 22-12 months-old has been troubled by back, abdominal, foot and buttocks injuries in his fledgling Check career.

A Cricket Australia statement said the severity of the side dilemma isn’t but acknowledged.

Australia’s batsmen are set to be examined for the first time in their summer time campaign following a dominant display by their South African counterparts.

The Proteas have set the Aussies a monstrous target of 450 in the First Check at the Gabba, where an whole day of perform was yesterday lost due to rain.Jacques Kallis was the destroyer for South Africa on day three, bringing up his 44th Test century en route to a magnificent 147.Australia only loved a single moment’s celebration in 38 overs with the 2nd new-ball on Sunday morning in largely overcast conditions.

And that came with a large slice of luck as classy South African No.3 Hashim Amla was adjudged leg ahead of off Peter Siddle for 104.

Amla was hit substantial on the back pad by Siddle (1-93) but would have had umpire Asad Rauf’s determination overturned if he asked for a overview by the third umpire.

Kallis strangely suggested Amla towards challenging the determination but it was a single of very few errors the fantastic allrounder created as he set the most significant score by a South African at the Gabba – breaking Eddie Barlow’s record of 114.

The only slither of hope he gave to the residence side was a driven edge through a vacant third slip off James Pattinson when he was 117.

Like day a single, Australia’s pacemen struggled to swing the ball and also develop pressure on the batsmen by way of dot balls and a threatening line and length.

Kallis and Amla mixed for a 165-run stand in virtually 4 hours – their 11th century partnership together.

Check cricket’s major runscorer in 2012 with 791 runs, Amla brought up his hundred – his 3rd century in 4 Tests – 24 minutes into day with an upper-cut boundary off Pattinson.

Australia’s assault also gave AB de Villiers number of troubles as he cruised to 32 not out at lunch in an unbeaten 73-stand with Kallis.

An aggressive Australia will search to the skies on Friday morning ahead of finalising the bowling attack they aim to unleash on South Africa at their Gabba fortress.

Skipper Michael Clarke admits Brisbane’s overcast ailments have forced selectors into a shock rethink which has place a four-pronged pace battery back on the table for the very first Check.

They had backed beneath-stress offspinner Nathan Lyon to be an important member of the assault, from the begin of preparations but he looms as a fall man with the greenish Gabba pitch retaining far more moisture than anticipated.

Clarke is speaking like a guy who wants to throw the kitchen sink at the Proteas’ substantial-good quality batting line-up.

He likes the fact youngsters James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc have the capability to tough up South Africa’s leading-order – specifically on a Gabba track which will have pace, bounce and sideways motion.

Mixed with stalwarts Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus, they can continue to be more severe threats in the game longer than Lyon if the cloud cover and high humidity persists in Brisbane.

“I was expecting to have a choice (on 12th guy) right now but the wicket’s altered a little bit because yesterday and I want to see if it modifications any much more come tomorrow,” he said.

“I guess weather upstairs plays a huge portion as well if it is overcast compared to the sun shining.”

While Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers are all ranked among the best 7 batsmen in Check cricket, the Australians well bear in mind India’s batsmen were even far more acclaimed final summer ahead of a series drubbing.

After Ricky Ponting had earlier promised fireworks, Clarke followed up with his very own hard talk by tipping “plenty of brief things”.

“The youthful quicks know what they have to do,” he mentioned.

“I’ve created it clear they have to maintain the very same aggression they had final summer season towards India.

“We realize there is a line they can not cross but they will be pushing that line.”

If Lyon carries the drinks, then Clarke – who has underbowled his left-armers – will have to shoulder the load as the team’s spinner.

It creates an additional situation as the captain’s back difficulties have been stirred up by bowling in the past and Australia have opted against naming a vice-captain following Shane Watson’s withdrawal with injury.

Clarke nominated Mike Hussey, Ponting and even youthful wicketkeeper Matthew Wade as alternatives if he was injured, just before Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland stated Ponting was the “obvious back-up”.

Australia haven’t been beaten at the Gabba in 24 years but extended-time curator Kevin Mitchell jnr believes the Proteas are the best outfitted touring side to take care of the ailments in numerous seasons.

Their pace trio of top-ranked Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel routed Australia for 47 just 364 days ago and are eying the residence side’s greenhorn top rated-order of Ed Cowan, David Warner and debutant Rob Quiney – who didn’t play in the Newlands nightmare.

“That inexperience is hopefully one thing we can exploit because then we could have Australia underneath strain,” captain Smith stated.

Australia (achievable): Michael Clarke (capt), Dave Warner, Ed Cowan, Rob Quiney, Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, Matthew Wade, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc (12th man to be named).

South Africa (most likely): Graeme Smith (capt), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Jacques Rudolph, JP Duminy, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, Imran Tahir.

Australia captain George Bailey is keen to turn the tables on Pakistan in the World Twenty20 after his side suffered a 2-one series reduction in Dubai earlier this month.

Bailey’s males have been undefeated in two group matches and two Super Eights games so far in the Globe T20 and face Pakistan on Tuesday night in Colombo (2000 AEST) in their last Super Eights clash in a bid to qualify for the semi-finals to be staged on Thursday and Friday.

Australia’s healthy net run-price is likely to push Bailey’s side into the semi-finals even if they shed to Pakistan.

“It would be good, or in a final might be a greater time (to settle the score),” Bailey explained.

“The 1st game and the 3rd game were really 1-sided (won by Pakistan and Australia respectively) and the 2nd game was determined by a super over.

“It was a truly excellent series.

“I am keen to continue taking part in great cricket. I believe momentum and self-assurance are actually massive variables.

“It would be great to perform nicely against Pakistan just to keep that going.”

Australia’s eight-wicket win in excess of No.one-ranked South Africa on Sunday evening was dominated by allrounder Shane Watson (70 off 47 deliveries and two-29).

Recalled spinner Xavier Doherty opened the bowling for Australia in his 1st game for the tournament and claimed 3-twenty in an superb functionality.

Nevertheless spin will also be on the minds of Australia’s batsmen following they struggled against Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal in the Dubai series, with Ajmal snaring six wickets at an regular of 8.66.

“I do not know if you can de-code him,” Bailey stated.

“We have got some ideas and we have got some concepts. But if he comes out and bowls unbelievably then it is going to be a actual challenge.”

Malcolm Page and Mathew Belcher won the men’s 470 dinghy gold medal on Friday, making certain Australia will topple hosts Fantastic Britain and finish on leading of the Olympic sailing regatta medal table.

Page also cemented his spot in background as Australia’s most successful Olympic sailor, claiming his 2nd gold medal.

The reigning planet champions began Friday’s very tense medal race on Weymouth Bay already assured of a silver medal and with British pair Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell the only other crew difficult for the gold.

The Britons had to finish the race two boats ahead of Webpage and Belcher to snatch victory.

But the Australians sailed brilliantly in the light winds and finished the race 2nd, with Persistence and Bithell fourth.

Argentina took the bronze medal.

“It truly is a specific feeling, it’s been a genuinely hard battle all week with Luke and Stuart – they really brought their A-game,” Web page advised the BBC.

“To come away with what we needed was genuinely phenomenal.”

Belcher additional: “It was such a hair-raising race and credit score to Stuart and Luke, they’ve been unbelievable.

“They actually stepped it up and to come down to a medal race like that make a decision a gold medal, that is fairly hair-raising.”

The end result implies Web page, presently acknowledged as the best 470 sailor in the planet, turns into the very first Australian sailor to win two Olympic gold medals.

He took the men’s 470 gold medal in Beijing with former crewmate Nathan Wilmot.

Page now retires from Olympic sailing and his father Don, who was watching from the Nothe Peninsula, mentioned it was a glorious finish.

“I assume it truly is a fitting way to finish a lengthy occupation in the 470s, very, really proud,” he advised mentioned.

“It’s the golden finish.”

Australia has now won three gold medals at the Olympic regatta, with Tom Slingsby winning the Laser class and Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen taking victory in the 49er skiff.

It is the nation’s most effective sport at the London Video games.

No Australian sailing squad has ever won 3 gold medals at an Olympic regatta prior to.

The preceding finest was two golds, one silver and one bronze in Sydney 2000 and two golds and 1 silver in Beijing 2008.

It indicates Australia tops the London Olympic regatta medal table, condemning Fantastic Britain to second area in property waters immediately after topping the sailing medal table at each Olympics considering that Sydney 2000.

And Australia’s medal tally could rise even even more in Weymouth, with the women’s match racing crew competing in a semi-last battle with Finland on Friday afternoon, ahead of Saturday’s final.

The Australian women’s 470 crew also has an outdoors opportunity of snatching a bronze medal on Friday.