Sri Lanka defeat Australia in first ODI

Sri Lanka have secured a 49-run win over Australia in their opening ODI in worrying signs for the Aussies ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Sri Lanka saw the wickets tumble early before they fought back late to register 214 runs at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday.

While the total looked like a tough score to defend, the Aussie batting order capitulated in horror scenes.

The top three of Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Cooper Connolly scored a combined five runs while Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne only managed 12 and 15 respectively.

Alex Carey played a key role in rebuilding the innings, notching up 41 runs from 38 deliveries but he threw his wicket away shortly after his partnership with Labuschagne came to an end.

Carey wasn’t the only man to throw his wicket away with Smith attempting to hoist a shot over the rope before being bowled.

Nathan Ellis inexplicably attempted a reverse sweep on only his third delivery and was beat all ends up as the ball clattered into his stumps.

Sri Lanka ultimately bowled the Aussies out for 165.

The win leaves Australian selectors with plenty of question marks hanging overhead after a top order capitulation along with the bowling attack failing to end Sri Lanka’s innings early when they were on the ropes.

Australia and Sri Lanka will play again on Friday before the Champions Trophy gets underway next week.

The key highlight for the Aussies came during Sri Lanka’s innings when Steve Smith left jaws on the floor in the 25th over as he hauled in a sharp catch at slip off the bowling of Matt Short.

The delivery caught the edge of Dunith Wellalage and flew quickly past keeper Alex Carey, but Smith wasn’t going to be denied.

Carey’s reaction perfectly summed up Smith’s absurdity as he threw both his hands into the air after the catch.

Australia Innings

Things got off to a horror start for the Aussies with Matt Short caught on the crease with only the second delivery of the innings.

A stunning ball from Asitha Fernando straightened on the opener and thundered into his back pad.

Short spoke with Jake Fraser-McGurk but ultimately elected not to review the LBW decision, a wise choice as DRS showed it was going on to hit the stumps.

Fernando struck again in his second over when he sent Fraser-McGurk on his way after he popped one back down to the pitch to the bowler.

Things then went from bad to worse after Cooper Connolly attempted to sweep Maheesh Theekshana but completely missed the ball and was trapped in front.

Australia now find themselves 3/18 in less than six overs.

Marnus Labuschagne then strolled to the crease to join Steve Smith in a partnership the Aussie dugout would have been hoping could dig them out of the early hole.

Sadly it wasn’t to be as Smith attempted to hoist Dunith Wellalage over the boundary rope with the first ball of his spell.

Wellalage however deceived the Aussie star as he skidded one straight on and into the stumps to leave the tourists in all sorts.

After a 52-run partnership between Labuschagne and Alex Carey, both men were back in the sheds in quick succession to leave Australia reeling at 6/85.

Aaron Hardie and Sean Abbott attempted to resurrect the innings, but it wasn’t to be with Hardie finishing on 32 while Abbott and Adam Zampa were the next best for the Aussies with 20 apiece.

Sri Lanka Innings

Just like the Aussies, Sri Lanka were on the back foot early before they were saved by captain Charith Asalanka.

Spencer Johnson struck first for the Aussies, sending opener Pathum Nissanka on his way with only the fifth delivery of the match.

Australia doubled down when Aaron Hardie removed fellow opener Avishka Fernando after he chased a loose shot outside off stump.

Things didn’t get any better for the locals when Hardie and Johnson struck again in the fifth and sixth overs to leave Sri Lanka in all sorts at 4/31.

The paltry display from the Sri Lankan outfit left those watching on all fuming over how one-sided the contest was shaping up to be.

It ultimately all came to an end for Sri Lanka in the 46th over with Sean Abbott leading the way with three wickets while Johnson, Hardie and Nathan Ellis claimed two each.

Things could have been even uglier for the locals if not for Charith Asalanka who carried the innings with a stunning century.

Asalanka walked to the crease with Sri Lanka stranded at 3/30 and lifted the team before walking off after scoring 127 runs.

His innings saw him club five sixes and hit 14 fours as he put the Australian bowlers under constant attack.

Asalanka joined forces with Eshan Malinga after Sri Lanka fell to 8/135 with the duo producing a 79-run partnership.

Of that stand, Malina contributed one run as he well and truly played his part in feeding the strike to his skipper.