The English are not a very spiritual people, so they invented cricket to give them some idea of eternity.
-George Bernard Shaw
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At this point, Australia knew their chances of winning the Test were virtually zero.
Going from 4-139 to 7-141 in the space of three overs was terribly demoralising. Steve Smith was about to lose his first Test as captain. Australia was going to continue their woeful record in Asia.
Nathan Lyon made a speedy eight (well, by Nathan Lyon standards) after lunch, but was caught out, and Australia was 8-157, still 110 runs short, with a wicketkeeper at the crease, and an injured bowler and someone who scores less than 10 an innings to come.
They sent in the injured bowler.
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Steve O’Keefe is an unassuming player. He was one of those who didn’t fall to the centre of the post-Shane Warne vacuum. He only got his chance in 2014.
His batting is reasonable, though. He averages almost 30 in first-class cricket. He once scored 99. He’s more like Shane Warne than we thought.
During his seventeenth over of bowling, he injured his hamstring. He’s going home, replaced by Jon Holland.
He replaced Lyon, facing up to Lakshan Sandakan.
Dot. Dot. Dot. Dot. Dot.
A wicket maiden for Sandakan. A good performance.
Peter Nevill, who is at 9 (26), takes guard to Herath from the other end.
Dot. Dot. Dot. Dot. Dot. Dot.
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Three more maiden overs later, Australia’s game becomes clear.
They will try to block out the day.
It’s not unseen. South Africa recently batted almost a day and a half at a run rate of one to try and force the draw against India.
There’s still hours before tea, though.
Dot. Dot. Dot.
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O’Keefe has now faced 21 balls without scoring. This is impressive. On this pitch, no mean feat.
Four.
A misplaced wrong un from Sandakan is swept to deep backward square leg for four, an impeccable shot.
Practically the only one O’Keefe will play.
Dot. Dot. Dot.
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After 66.1 overs, this partnership has lasted 10 overs.
Four runs have been scored in it.
Dot. Dot. Dot.
Dark clouds begin their inexorable march towards Kandy.
Clouds Sri Lanka wanted at the start of the Test, but they now wish to leave.
Dot. Dot. Dot.
Australia feels a different way. In a three match series, losing the first Test is a near-insurmountable obstacle.
They would need to win the next two, on spin-friendly wickets, in rainy conditions.
72.5 overs. 100 balls. 4 runs.
The slowest partnership in history (with at least 100 balls).
Dot. Dot. Dot.
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Steve O’Keefe is hit on the pads.
Rangana Herath appeals.
The umpire says not out.
Angelo Mathews reviews.
Third umpire analyses the video.
Bat first.
Not out.
Dot. Dot. Dot.
Frustrating for Sri Lanka. They almost had the chance at getting this stubborn partnership out.
Drinks.
12 maiden overs in a row.
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de Silva is bowling to O’Keefe.
O’Keefe plays a defensive shot. Ball hits pad, goes up and is caught.
Not out, says the umpire.
Sri Lanka have no reviews left. They have to take it.
On the video replay, the edge is clear.
Dot. Dot. Dot.
16 maiden overs in a row.
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The new ball comes in.
Herath summons bounce from it.
Still nothing.
Dot. Dot. Dot.
Peter Nevill faces his 100th ball. He’s scored nine runs.
He was 9 off 26 when Lyon got out.
Dot. Dot. Dot.
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Herath to O’Keefe.
Out. LBW.
Review.
Clear inside edge. Not out.
You can almost hear the groan from Sri Lanka.
Dot. Dot. Dot.
20 maiden overs in a row.
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Dot. Dot. Dot.
21.
Dot. Dot. Dot.
22.
Dot. Dot. Dot. Dot. Out.
Nevill is gone, thin outside edge, straight to the keeper. de Silva’s first Test wicket. The partnership is broken. Less than half an hour to tea, Sri Lanka can finish it before then.
Josh Hazlewood comes out.
Dot.
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