AUSTRALIA BOUNCE BACK TO CRUSH SRI LANKA TO EAT HUMBLE PIE – By Sunil Thenabadu

Australia executed a superb all round performance which guided them to an easy five wickets win over Sri Lanka in their World Cup cricket fixture played at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium at Lucknow yesterday.

It was very unexpected batting performance by Sri Lanka team who made 125 for no loss at one stage but were reduced to 209 all out in 43.3 overs. Australia chase their 210 runs target in 35.2 overs with loss of only five wickets. After losing two early wickets for 24 runs opener Mitchell Marsh 52 in 51 balls with 9 fours, wicket-keeper Josh Inglis who scored 58 in 59 balls with 5 fours and a six and Marnus Labuschagne who hit 40 in 60 balls with 3 fours steered them to reach their target in 35.2 overs. Marcus Stonis sealed their victory with a six off Dunith Wellalage.

Paceman Dilshan Madushanka was the only successful bowler taking 3 for 38 while newcomer Lahiru Kumara ended wicket-less while giving away 47 runs in his 4 over spell and Dunith Wellalage took 1 for 53.

This was a very disappointing performance by Sri Lanka who suffered their third consecutive defeat, leaving them an uphill task to enter the next stage.

Australian leg spinner Adam Zampa who did most of the damage with 4 for 47was named Man of the Match.

It was a remarkable open stand by two openers Kusal Janith Perera and Pathum Nissanka but rest of the batters were unable to keep momentum and Australia bowlers fought back strongly to get all ten wickets with in 84 runs during 22 overs space and 6.3 overs to spare Sri Lanka were all out for 209 which was the lowest total of Sri Lanka innings this time having recorded over 300 runs in previous two matches.

Skipper Kusal Mendis won the toss and with out any hesitation decided to bat first on this Lucknow wicket to make a big total against Australia and openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Janith Perera did it in great style to complete 51 runs in first power play while they added 100 runs in 106 balls to make huge pressure on Aussie bowlers. After 20 overs Sri Lanka were 114 for no loss with a strong position while Australia used six bowlers. Kusal Janith reached his fifty in 57 balls while Nissanka scored his back to back fifty in 58 balls.

The first breakthrough did by skipper Pat Cummins when Pathum Nissanka went to a pull shot and David Warne took a stunning catch at deep square leg position and Pathum was back to the pavilion scoring 61 in 67 balls with 8 fours. After half way mark (25 over) Sri Lanka were 152 for 1 wicket with a 6.08 healthy run rate.

The opener Kusal Janith Perera started his innings with a slow progress but came on top with his aggressive mood later. But Pat Cummins accounted his second wicket as Perera was clean bowled scoring 78 in 82 balls with 8 fours.

However after departure of both openers Sri Lanka couldn’t make any solid partnership to build up the innings. Skipper Kusal Mendis the inform batter was hurry to go for a pull shot but final result was David Warner took his second catch at deep mid wicket off leggie Adam Zampa.

The last match centurion Sadeera Samarawickrama couldn’t stay long as he was LBW to Zampa after scoring 8 in 8 balls and Sri Lanka were 130 for 4 wickets after 30 overs. However between 31 to 40 overs Sri Lanka lost quick 4 wickets adding only 31 runs and Australia made inroads to the game after successful open stand.

Dunith Wellalage was out for two with unnecessary run out while World Cup debutant Chamika Karunaratne did not use his opportunity properly as he was LBW to Zampa scoring two in 11 balls. The left hander Charith Asalanka made a longer battle scoring 25 in 39 balls stuck only six of the innings off the bowling of Adam Zampa in the 38 over but he was out as the last man in 43.3 overs and Sri Lanka were all out for 209 with 6.3 overs to spare.

Adam Zampa the experienced leg spinner was the chief wrecker taking 4 for 47 in his 8 over spell with a median over while paceman Mitchell Starc and skipper Pat Cummins took two wickets each.

Earlier Sri Lanka innings was halted by rain and lost 29 minutes between 4.42 pm to 5.10 pm while strong wind also interrupted the innings towards the end.

Sri Lanka team made two changes brought Chamika Karunaratne and Lahiru Kumara for injured Dasun Shanaka and Matheesha Pathirana while Australia played with unchanged side.

Today Netherlands will meet South Africa in their World Cup match at Dharamsala.