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Australia vs Sri Lanka, Cricket World Cup 2019 LIVE: Scorecard and updates as Sri Lanka start well in record chase

Live updates from the Cricket World Cup

Callum Rice-Coates
Saturday 15 June 2019 12:03 BST
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Cricket World Cup: Five batsmen to watch

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Australia are looking to return to winning ways against Sri Lanka after losing to India in their previous World Cup match.

Aaron Finch makes one change to the side with Jason Behrendorff replacing Nathan Coulter-Nile, who is struggling with a minor injury.

Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first a The Oval.

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37.0 Australia 210-2 Aaron Finch 116 Steve Smith 47

Udana had been heading towards a good over - just three singles until the final ball - but a wide delivery allows Finch to open his arms and smash over extra cover for four.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 13:02
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38.0 Australia 218-2 Aaron Finch 122 Steve Smith 49

Finch looks unstoppable at the moment. He capitalises on more loose bowling, this time from Perera, to strike an excellent square drive for four.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 13:06
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38.3 Australia 220-2 Aaron Finch 123 Steve Smith 50

A mixture of applause and boos as Smith brings up his 50 with a single. It's taken him just 46 deliveries to reach his half century, and he's allowed Finch to go after the bowlers by cleverly rotating the strike.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 13:08
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39.0 Australia 224-2 Aaron Finch 126 Steve Smith 51

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 13:10
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39.2 Australia 231-2 Aaron Finch 132 Steve Smith 52

Finch looks like he's going to get a move on now. He smashes another six into the stands and hits it so hard that he breaks the ball. There's a pause in play as the umpire brings out a replacement.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 13:12
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40.0 Australia 237-2 Aaron Finch 137 Steve Smith 53

Finch follows up his six with a cut for four. Twelve runs come from the over and Australia are well placed for the last ten. Finch will, no doubt, be targeting a double century.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 13:16
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41.0 Australia 255-2 Aaron Finch 146 Steve Smith 62

A devastating over from Finch, who hits two more powerful boundaries and moves closer to 150. Smith gets in on the act, too. Sri Lanka, somehow, need to stem the tide of runs.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 13:20
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41.1 Australia 259-2 Aaron Finch 150 Steve Smith 62

And there is Finch's 150. A full delivery from Malinga is flicked away, almost for six, bouncing just in front of the boundary. There's no sign of him slowing down here.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 13:22
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42.0 Australia 269-2 Aaron Finch 152 Steve Smith 69

That's another expensive over. It ends with a massive slog over deep mid-wicket for Smith's first six of the innings. That made a glorious noise off the middle of the bat and very nearly cleared the stands.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 13:25
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42.4 Australia 273-3

WICKET! Finch (154) b Isuru c Karunaratne

That's the end of Finch's magnificent innings. He attempts another big six but mistimes it, picking out Karunaratne at cover. It was a good slower ball from Isuru to catch Finch out and deny Australia's captain a double century.

Callum Rice-Coates15 June 2019 13:29

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