Match Center

Right then, that is it from this game where Australia gets off the mark in the World Cup while Sri Lanka remains winless. However, the action continues in the ODI World Cup as South Africa takes on Netherlands to avenge their loss in the 2022 T20 World Cup. That game will be played on 17th October, Tuesday at 2 pm IST (8.30 am GMT), but as you know, you can join us early for all the build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Pat Cummins, the victorious skipper of Australia says that nothing was much said on the back of two losses. Mentions that they have high standards and the energy on the field was great. Feels that Sri Lanka started well but they stuck at it and bowled decently. Adds that the bowlers hit the deck hard. Reckons that 300 would have been par on this surface. Shares that there are a lot of people watching but outside noise does not bother them. Ends by saying that all parts of the game came together and they want to keep it up.

Kusal Mendis, the captain of Sri Lanka says that Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka batted really well but the middle order struggled. Adds that 290-300 would have been a good score on this wicket. Mentions that they did not rotate the strike enough but they have shown their batting prowess in the first two games and he has the confidence in his team. Praises Dilshan Madushanka for his opening spell. Ends by saying that he hopes Dasun Shanaka and Matheesha Pathirana recover quickly.

Adam Zampa is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant spell. He says that he did not feel great and informs that he has been suffering from back spasms for the last couple of days. Mentions that he tried to get through but feels that he could have bowled better. Says that it was the captain's decision to bowl off-spin to the left-hander. States that his back is pretty sore and was not at his best in this game. Feels that he could have bowled better in the last game. Further adds that his job is to make it easier for the death bowlers. Shares that he did nothing different and it took a while for him to get into the game. Mentions that bowling wrist spin is not easy and it is about doing the same job over and over again. Ends by saying that he is looking forward to their next game against Pakistan and feels that it will not be easy.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the game, after electing to bat first, Sri Lanka posted an under-par total on the board thanks to an extraordinary collapse. They were 125-0 with both openers, Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka registering fifties but were bowled out for 209 which says all about their performance with the blade. For Australia, Pat Cummins led from the front with a couple of important wickets and a fine run-out while Adam Zampa was their best bowler with a four-wicket haul. Mitchell Starc picked up two scalps while Glenn Maxwell chipped in with one. While chasing, they knew that they just had to be sensible and a couple of fifties from Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis got the job done.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their bowling effort, especially after the start that they got. Dilshan Madushanka was on fire with the new ball and got rid of David Warner and Steven Smith in the same over which set the tone for them, but his partner Lahiru Kumara leaked runs from the other end and failed to build on that. They did not have many runs to play with and allowed the Aussies to build up a couple of partnerships which took the game away from them. It was Madushanka once again who got another wicket in the middle overs while Dunith Wellalage got one too but in the end, they fell to yet another defeat.

Australia started off with a bang getting 15 runs off the very first over but suffered a setback when both David Warner and Steven Smith were dismissed in the same over. However, the intent from Mitchell Marsh was pretty clear as he continued to rack up the boundaries from the other end. Marnus Labuschagne played second fiddle to him and both of them added 57 runs together where Marsh registered his fifty as well which was also the first by any Aussie batter in this World Cup. After getting to it, a moment of madness cost him his wicket but he set up a good platform for his team. Marnus Labuschagne took the chase forward along with Josh Inglis who was the aggressor and notched up a fine half-century. The former tried to go on the attack but lost his wicket in the process after a 77-run stand which took the Aussies close to the win. Then Glenn Maxwell came in and started going bang bang keeping the NRR in mind as he scored 31 runs off just 21 balls. Inglis had the chance of staying till the end, but he too got out on 58 trying to go for a big shot. In the end, Marcus Stoinis played a few lusty blows and finished the job along with Maxi to get their first win of the tournament.

The Lion may be the King of the Jungle but the Kangaroos have roared louder than the Lankan Lions in Lucknow! Australia finally get their first points on the board in this World Cup and extends their unbeaten run to eight matches against Sri Lanka in ODI World Cups. The Lankans had the opportunity to get their first win over the Aussies in this mega event since that 1996 final but only have themselves to blame as they have to wait for even longer now.

SIX! BOOM! Marcus Stoinis finishes the game off with a big hit! Floated up, on middle and leg, Marcus Stoinis moves leg side and swings through the line. Thumps it down the ground and clears the long on fence with ease. Australia are finally off the mark in the World Cup as they win this encounter by 5 wickets!

Bowls it on a yorker length, outside off, Marcus Stoinis looks to squeeze it out on the off side but ends up jamming it out back to the bowler.

Scores level! Low full toss, on middle and leg, Marcus Stoinis drills it hard and along the ground to long on for one more.

Closer to the off stump, a bit full as well, Glenn Maxwell makes room and slices it without much timing to point for a run.

Angling away, fuller in length, outside off, Marcus Stoinis frees his arms and slaps it down to long off for a single.

WIDE! Dilshan Madushanka takes pace off and bangs it into the wicket. Marcus Stoinis stays still and the ball goes over his head for a wide.

Full and drifting on the pads, Marcus Stoinis clips it off his toes and gets it right between deep square leg and fine leg. Dushan Hemantha runs around to his right and keeps the ball in play with a diving stop.

Sees the batter make room and bang it in short, around middle and leg, Glenn Maxwell reaches out over his head and plays a forehand to deep point for a single.