Lucknow, Oct 16: Injury-hit Sri Lanka, were off to a flier against Australia in the 14th match of the ICC ODI Men's World Cup, here on Monday. But they crumbled dramatically and could set a modest 210 run target before Australia.
In reply, Australia were 110/3 in 20.2 overs. Seasoned David Warner and Steven Smith were out, claimed by right arm Lanka pacer Dilshan Madushanka. Mitchell Marsh departed being run out after making run-a-ball 52.
Earlier, electing to bat first, Lanka were bundled out for a paltry 209/10 in 43.3 overs against the Aussies.
Aussie leg spinner Adam Zampa, who in the two previous matches was not very effective, but today he was the star of Australian return. Zampa topped the bowling chart for his side with an impressive 4/47 figure. In a shocking collapse, all the 10 Lankan wickets fell in a span of 21.5 overs, while batters could add only 84 runs.
Lankan openers duo Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera put 125-run partnership in 21.3 overs for the first wicket. But then, Nissanka fell to Aussie skipper Pat Cummins for 61, caught brilliantly by David Warner.
That perhaps was the start of the dramatic collapse of the Lankan innings. At the fall of the first wicket, Kusal Mendis (the skipper in-charge walked into bat. In absence of injured regular captain Dasun Shanaka, Mendis was assigned the additional responsibility of leading the side.
The two 'Kusal's (Perera and Mendis) for sometime kept the score-board ticking playing every ball on merit. But in the 27th over, Cummins struck again and bowled the other opener Kusal Perera (78).
Perera hit 12 fours in his 82-ball innings. After his departure, Sadeera Samarawickrama joined the skipper.
More trouble awaited the Lankans. In the very next over, leggie Adam Zampa got captain Mendis out, caught again by Warner. Mendis made only 9 in 12 balls. From 125/1 to 165/3, Lanka lost three quick wickets in a span of 5 to 6 overs.
Sadeera also felt to Zampa, being LBW for 8. Lanka's young star Dunith Wellalage could not replicate his recent heroics, as he was run out by captain Cummins. He left disappointed scoring only 2 runs in 9 balls.
Wickets tumbled in quick succession. Chamika Karunaratne (2) Maheesh Theekshana (0) and Lahiru Kumara (4) departed early.
Charith Asalanka tried to put some resistance with a 39-ball 25. But he ran out of partners and finally was claimed by Maxwell, caught by Marnus Labuschangne. Dilshan Madushanka remained not out without opening his account.
No doubt, the island nation cricketers are known for their flamboyance and giant-killing abilities. Today, they did began well with the bat in the Ekana Stadium, here. But the Kangaroos made a solid return, bundling out the Lankans from 125/1 to 210 all out.
Worth mentioning that both the teams have lost their respective previous two matches in 2023 ODI World Cup 2023. Australia have lost to India and South Africa in their first two encounters.
Similarly, Sri Lank have been beaten in their first two matches by South Africa and Pakistan.
The playing XI of both sides for this match are as follows:
Australia XI:
Mitchell Marsh, David Warner, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wicket-keeper), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (Captain), Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood.
Sri Lanka XI:
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wicket-keeper & Captain) , Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara.
