Picture : ICC / X
Desperate to get their World Cup campaign back on track after two losses to India and South Africa, Five- time winners Australia came out with a clinical display to beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets to record their first win and bag two valuable points at the Ekana Sports City Stadium in Lucknow.
Earlier Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. And Sri Lankan batsmen put pressure on Australia straight away with a fine opening stand . Openers – Pathum Nissanka 61 ( 67 balls 8 fours) and Kusal Perera 78 ( 82 balls , 12 fours ) frustrated Australia. The duo put on 125 for the first wicket . But Sri Lanka slumped soon after in dramatic collapse courtesy Aussie spinner Zampa and and some sharp fielding By Warner and double strike by Pat Cummins .
From 157/ 2 in 26. 2 overs, the team was bowled out for 209 . Skipper Kusal Mendis ( 9), Sadeera Samarawickrama ( 8) , Charith Asalanka ( 25) , Dhananjaya de Silva ( 7), Dunith Wellalage ( 2), Chamika Karunaratne ( 2), Maheesh Theekshana ( 0), Lahiru Kumara ( 4). Sri Lanka at one stage threatened 280 plus but inexplicable collapse saw them crash to 209 all- out.
Aussie fielding and bowling was much better this time around . Skipper Pat Cummins led from the front with 2/ 32 ( 7 overs), Josh Hazlewood 0/ 36 ( 7 overs), Glenn Maxwell 1/ 36 ( 9. 3 overs), Mitchell Starc 2/ 43 ( 10 overs), Adam Zampa with his leg spin was the star with 4/ 47 ( 8 overs) , Marcus Stoinis0/11 ( 2 overs)
In Reply , the Aussie to got off to a shaky start as they lost David Warner ( 11) and Steve Smith ( 0) early. But big-hitting all-rounder Mitchell Marsh finally came good and blasted a quick fire 52 off mere 51 balls with 9 fours . His shots were of brute power. Marnus Labuschagne anchored the innings well for his 40. But the innings was from wicket-keeper batsman Josh Inglis. In place of Alex Carey, Inglis made his presence felt with superb innings at crucial time . Coming good when Australia needed it most. Inglis cored a a fine 58 ( 59 balls , 5 fours, 1 six). The two power men Glenn Maxwell not out 31 and Marcus Stoinis not out 20 saw Australia romp home by five wickets . Australia reaching 215/ 5 in 35. 2 overs. Stoinis finishing off the match with a thunderous straight six .
Sri Lanka would be disappointed , their bowlers tried but the Aussies were gritty and determined this time around . The Sri Lanka bowling figures were : Lahiru Kumara 0/ 47 ( 4 overs), Dilshan Madushanka 3/ 38 ( 9 overs), Maheesh Theekshana 0/ 49 ( 7 overs) , Dunith Wellalage 1/ 53 ( 9.2 overs), Chamika Karunaratne 0/ 15 ( 3 overs), Dhananjaya de Silva 0/ 13 ( 3 overs)
Australia now take on Pakistan In Bengaluru on 20th October.
Match: World Cup 2023, 14th Match
Venue: Lucknow | Date: October 16, 2023
