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Preview: Sri Lanka will look to tie up some loose ends ahead of the World Cup quarter-finals when the former champions take on winless minnows Scotland in their last group match in Hobart today. The Islanders, who have won three of their five matches, will likely take third place in Pool A behind co-hosts New Zealand and Australia should they win at the at the Bellerive Oval. Angelo Mathews’ side return to action just three days after going down to Australia by 64 runs in Sydney despite a heroic run chase led by remarkable veteran Kumar Sangakkara. [caption id=“attachment_2146561” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Angelo Mathews’ side return to action just three days after going down to Australia by 64 runs in Sydney despite a heroic run chase led by remarkable veteran Kumar Sangakkara. Getty Images[/caption] The 37-year-old left-hander smashed 104 to become the only batsman to score three successive centuries in a World Cup and is the leading run-scorer in this edition with 372 runs at an average of 124. Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan, 38, is fifth in the list with 291 runs, but former skipper Mahela Jayawardene’s lean patch on either side of a match-winning century against Afghanistan will be worrying. Jayawardene, 37, fell for zero in the tournament opener against New Zealand, did not get to bat against Bangladesh and England, before being run out for 19 against Australia. Sri Lanka will need the three senior pros to fire if they are to repeat their 1996 triumph after losing the last two World Cup finals in 2007 and 2011. The batsmen have so far made up for a wayward bowling attack which has leaked runs in the final overs to allow rivals to plunder big totals. New Zealand took 134 runs from the last 14 overs, England garnered 148 from 15 and Australia smashed 200 in the last 16 overs. “We have got to improve our bowling and fielding,” said Mathews. “If we can keep the opposition to 300, we can chase it down.” Sri Lanka, who have already seen all-rounder Jeevan Mendis and batsman Dimuth Karunaratne depart from the tournament due to injuries, suffered another blow on Tuesday when Dinesh Chandimal was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Chandimal retired hurt after making a 24-ball 52 against Australia and has been replaced by left-hand batsman Kusal Perera, who has played 41 one-day internationals and scored 839 runs with one century. With a week to go before the quarter-finals, Sri Lanka may look to rest tired limbs and test their bench strength against Scotland, who are lying at the bottom of the group with five defeats from as many matches. Sri Lanka have played the non-Test side just once in a one-day international, winning easily by 183 runs in Edinburgh in July 2011, and another one-sided game appears likely. Statistics reveal the wide gulf between the two sides. The combined ODI appearance total of the entire Scotland squad is 332 – 114 fewer matches than Jayawardene’s 446 ODIS, 70 below Sangakkara’s 402 and just 20 more than Dilshan’s 312. Scotland have yet to win a match in three World Cups, and with the International Cricket Council planning to reduce the number of teams involved from 14 to 10 in 2019, Wednesday’s fixture could be their last in the showpiece event. AFP
World Cup, Sri Lanka vs Scotland as it happened: Sri Lanka thump Scotland by 148 runs
Live updates as Sri Lanka take on Scotland in the World Cup.
 "World Cup, Sri Lanka vs Scotland as it happened: Sri Lanka thump Scotland by 148 runs")
That’s it! Sri Lanka beat Scotland by 148 runs!
OUT! Davey is caught at mid off off Chameera and Scotland have suffered anotehr defeat!
OUT! Another one bites the dust. R Berrington c Kulasekara b Chameera 29 (22b 2×4 2×6). After 41.1 overs, Scotland 210/9
Berrington departs! Chameera gets his second wicket. It’s full on off from Chameera, Berrington stays in his crease and smashes it straight to mid on. Kulasekara fumbles but manages to hold on to it somehow.
Alasdair Evans is the last man in.
OUT! Malinga gets his 2nd wicket! RML Taylor c NLTC Perera b Malinga 3 (6b 0x4 0x6) . After 40.5 overs, Scotland 209/8
It’s a slower one on off, Taylor looks to go over midon but is done in by the change of pace. He ends up mistiming it straight to mid on. Scotland falling apart!
Josh Daven is the new batsman.
After 40 overs, Scotland 207/7 (Berrington 28, Taylor 1)
Scotland have fallen apart in the Batting Powerplay. 19/3 during that period. They lost the set Coleman, Leask and Cross in that period. They have completely lost their way. Chameera has fought back well after a couple of expensive overs to start off. The Lankans would be looking to wrap this up as soon as possible.
OUT! 501st dismissal for Sangakkara! MH Cross c Sangakkara b Chameera 7 (10b 0x4 0x6) . After 39.4 overs, Scotland 200/6
It’s full outside off from Chameera, Chameera goes for a wild swing but gets a top edge high in the air. Sangakkara settles under it and takes a fine diving catch. It’s his 501st dismissal in ODIs.
Rob Taylor is the new batsman.
OUT! Kulasekara gets his third wicket. MA Leask c Sangakkara b Kulasekara 2 (7b 0x4 0x6). After 37.5 overs, Scotland 192/6
Good review by Sangakkara! It’s a bouncer from Kulasekara, Leask goes for a pull but seems to miss it. Sangakkara pouches but doesn’t appeal. But suddenly, he opts for a review. Snicko replays show there was some deflection and the infield decision is overturned. Leask walks back, smart from Sangakkara.
Matthew Cross is the new batsman.
OUT! Coleman’s resistance comes to an end. F Coleman c T Perera b Kulasekara 70 (74b 7×4 0x6). After 36 overs, Scotland 189/5
A very good innings comes to an end too. Full on off fro, Kulasekara, Coleman stays in his crease and looks to go downtown, doesn’t connect it well and helps it straight into the hands of Thisara Perera at long on. Coleman departs for a well made 70.
Michael Leask is the new batsman
After 35 overs, Scotland 188/4 (Coleman 70, Berrington 20)
Mommsen was looking good but departed at a crucial juncture off a soft dismissal. He had just pulled Perera for a brutal four but threw it away in the same over. Berrington straightaway goes on the attack as he cracks one through extra cover off Prasanna and then slog sweeps the next ball powerfully over deep mid-wicket for a six. Coleman then pulls Perera over square leg for a four. Berrington then again goes after Prasanna and hammers him over wide long on for a six. 41/1 in the last five overs.
OUT! Perera breaks the stand. PL Mommsen c Thirimanne b NLTC Perera 60 (75b 7×4 0x6) . After 32 overs, Scotland 162/4
Mommsen (60) hits it straight to short extra cover. It’s full outside off, Mommsen comes forward and cracks it to extra cover where Thirimanne fumbles but manages to hold on to it.
Richie Berrington is the new batsman.
After 30 overs, Scotland 147/3 (Mommsen 51, Coleman 60)
Malinga is brought back into the attack and he and Chameera have done well to bring down the scoring. Both the batsmen have reached their respective fifties. The 100 stand is also up but Scotland need a move on here. They need to attack. They have scored just 21 in the last five overs and need 217 runs fom 20 overs.
FIFTY for Mommsen!
Mommsen gets to his 50 off 66 balls. It’s his 5th in ODIs. six 4s in his inns so far. The 100 partnership is also up.
FIFTY for Coleman!
Coleman gets to his fifty off 44 balls. Six 4s in the innings so far. Scotland 126/3 (25). He’s looked pretty assured in this innings so far and has been pretty busy too.
After 15 overs, Scotland 126/3 (Mommsen 42, Coleman 50)
Coleman getting into the groove. Three fours off Chameera’s first over. At first a dab to third man then a straight drive and then a nicely placed cut through point. He then gets a streaky boundary as he gets an outside edge just wide of the 1st slip fielder trying to steer one off Chameera and then pulls one over mid-wicket off the same over. Both the batsmen have moved into the 40s. FIFTY! Coleman gets to his fifty off 44 balls. Six 4s in the innings so far. Scotland 126/3 (25). 38/0 in the last five overs.
After 20 overs, Scotland 87/3 (Mommsen 33, Coleman 21)
No one has looked as confident as Mommsen out in the middle. He’s taking singles and putting away the bad balls. He hammers a pull of Perera over square leg for a four and then cracks another pull off a half tracker from Prasanna for a boundary. Coleman has been busy with quick singles. Scotland have got a move on but only slightly. Sri Lanka rushing through their overs with the rain coming down and in between Mommsen charges down the track and hammers it over wide mid on for a boundary and then Coleman gets into the act as he lofts one over mid off for a boundary.24/0 off the last five overs. So we will have a resul in this match now…..
OUT! Dilshan is have a fabulous day! M Machan lbw b Dilshan 19 (31b 1×4 0x6). After 11.2 overs, Scotland 44/3
After scoring a century, he gets a wicket off his first over. He pushes it a bit quicker on middle and leg. It goes straight on. Machan is pegged back in his defense and he misses it. They all go up in a huge appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Machan has a word with Mommsen and opts for a review. Replays show it was clipping leg. Umpire’s call. Scotland lose the review.
Freddie Coleman is the new batsman.
After 10 overs, scotland 35/2 (Machan 14, Mommsen 7)
Sri Lanka have totally bogged down Scotland. They aren’t giving the singles away. Just two fours off the last five overs so far. Kulasekara has found some swing which will boost his confidence. Malinga has bowled tight lines but hasn’t fond much movement in the air or off the pitch. Mommsen has got off to a positive start with a lovely cover drive. Thisara Perera conceded a four in his first over, he missed his line in the first over and was too wide.
OUT! Kulasekara removes MacLeod! CS MacLeod b Kulasekara 11 (21b 0x4 0x6). After 7.3 overs, Scotland 26/2
This will give Kulasekara a lot of confidence. This is what he used to do best. Get the ball swinging. It’s full on middle and swinging back in sharply. MacLeod looks to drive but is totally done in by the inswing. He misses it, the ball hits the pads and crashes onto the stumps.
Preston Mommsen is the new batsman.
After 5 overs, Scotland 18/1 (MacLeod 10, Machan 7)
Malinga and Kulasekara have started off with great discipline. They aren’t getting much swing but are bowling good lines. MacLeod and Machan haven’t tried to play any aggressive or attacking shots. They are patient so far but need to get going soon.
OUT! Coetzer departs off the second ball of the innings! KJ Coetzer c & b Malinga 0 (2b 0x4 0x6), Sri Lanka 0/1 (0.2)
Length delivery on off from Malinga. Coetzer stays in his crease and looks to turn it to the leg side but he is early into his shot and gets a leading edge which pops up to Malinga. Not the start Scotland wanted!
Matt Machan is the new batsman.
Sri Lanka post 363/9!
Kulasekara and Chameera made sure that Sri Lanka got past 350 and batted full 50 overs. But Scotland did well to hit back with regular wickets after Sri Lanka had threatened to go past 400 at one stage. Scotland conceded just 37 runs for three wickets in the last six overs. But the day belonged to Dilshan (104) and Sangakkara (124) who set the platform for a huge total. This is a difficult task for Scotland and they could be in for another big defeat!
OUT! Sri Lanka nine down now! SL Malinga c Leask b Berrington 1 (3b 0x4 0x6). After 46.5 overs, Sri Lanla 336/9
Berrington drops a tough return catch of Kulasekara off the previous ball but then gets the wicket of Malinga in his next. Malinga gives himself room and looks ot go over covers but it’s a slower delivery and he ends up miscuing it in the air. Leask at point back peddles and takes a very good catch.
Dushmanta Chameera is the last man in.
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