In a great relief for Australian fans across the world, Australia on Monday recorded their first win of the ongoing World Cup by defeating Sri Lanka by five wickets in Lucknow. Asked to chase the target of 210 runs, the Aussies reached the target with 88 balls to spare.
While chasing the target in the rain affected match, Australia lost their first wicket for 24 runs when David Warner was declared leg before off the bowling of Dilshan Madushanka for just 11 runs. His opening partner, Mitchell Marsh, looked set on the other hand, with a fine half century. He scored 52 runs off 51 deliveries. His innings included nine boundaries.
Building partnerships
Apart from Marsh, others who made significant contributions during Australia’s chase included Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell. Even as Labuschagne scored 40 runs off 60 deliveries that included six boundaries, Inglis scored the highest score of his side of 58 runs, which included five boundaries and a six. He faced 59 deliveries.
Similarly, Maxwell contributed 31 runs off 21 deliveries that included four boundaries and two huge sixes. Another batsman, Marcus Stoinis, also contributed 20 runs off 10 deliveries to guide his team to a well-earned victory.
For Sri Lanka, Madushanka took three wickets, including the important wickets of Warner and Labuschagne. Duninth Wellalage also took one wicket for the Lankan Tigers.
Poor batting by Sri Lanka
Earlier, after winning the toss, Sri Lankan skipper Kusal Mendis decided to bat first. Openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera got off to a flying start, putting on a 125 run partnership for the first wicket. While Perera hit 78 runs off 82 balls that included 12 boundaries, Nissanka contributed 61 runs off 67 deliveries. He hit eight boundaries.
Apart from openers, none of the other Sri Lankan batsmen were able to stay at the crease for long the only notable contribution coming from Charith Asalanka. Who scored 25 runs off 39 deliveries, which included a six. For Australia, spinner Adam Zampa was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets. Starch and Josh Hazlewood also took two wickets each,