AFTER losing its opening two games of the tournament, Australia has snagged a breakthrough win at the 2023 ICC One-Day World Cup with a five-wicket triumph over Sri Lanka on Monday night.

The Aussies looked in dire straits once again after the opposition stormed out to a powerful opening partnership. However, a huge batting collapse to close out Sri Lanka’s innings gave Australia a shot at chasing down the score, which it did so in more typically comfortable fashion.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first in Lucknow. It appeared to be an inspired choice, after openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera got their side off to the perfect start. Australia burnt a review on the opening delivery after Mitchell Starc‘s delivery was found to hit bat first. Shortly after, a Glenn Maxwell appeal for lbw. went unrewarded, and after Australia did not want to waste two reviews in a row and chose not to send it upstairs, was found to be hitting leg stump.

The opening duo took advantage of some sloppy bowling from the Australian quicks, often using the pace of the deliveries to get power on their shots, and picking gaps in the field. A 125-run partnership between the pair meant it was panic stations for Australia, before Pat Cummins got the breakthrough after Nissanka top-edged a pull shot that went straight to David Warner in the outfield.

The Australian captain struck again five overs later, dismissing the dangerous Perera with a peach that knocked over the opener, who produced his highest ever score against Australia. After Cummins sparked his side, it was Adam Zampa‘s turn to have his say in forcing a Sri Lankan collapse. Australia’s only front-line spinner struck twice in as many balls, ripping through the opposition’s top and middle order.

Following the opening partnership, Sri Lanka’s batting order fell apart, conceding 9/52 and setting the required total at just 209.

The Aussies got off to a flying start, with opener Mitch Marsh smashing the opening delivery down the ground for a boundary, before Warner conjured a six shortly after. However, Warner was dismissed for just 11 runs, and appeared to disagree with the third umpire’s decision upon review. Steve Smith was trapped lbw. for a duck in the same over, and suddenly Australia was 2/24 and in a bit of trouble.

Things appeared to be going from bad to worse for Australia when Marnus Labuschagne was given out for a golden duck after strangling the ball down leg side, but hawkeye showed the ball clipping his thigh pad. Labuschagne and Marsh steadied for the Aussies, before the latter was run out.

After being brought into the team to replace out of form keeper Alex Carey, Josh Inglis starred with the bat, putting on a 77-run partnership with Labuschagne to put the Aussies in a winning position. Although the pair were eventually dismissed before Australia could complete the run chase, Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis finished the job as their side managed to reach 210 with 15 overs in hand.

Zampa was named player of the match, producing figures of 4/47 in an excellent return to form after battling back issues. His best delivery was a magnificent wrong-un that deceived Chamika Karunaratne and smashed into his pads. Cummins was also instrumental in setting up Australia’s period of dominance with ball in hand, finishing with two wickets and a runout. With the bat, Inglis was the star with 58, while Marsh was not far behind with 52.

For Sri Lanka, Perera was the standout with the bat, finishing with 78 while fellow opener Nissanka was strong with 61. Pace bowler Dilshan Madushanka gave Sri Lanka some hope at the start of the second innings with a magnificent performance, and finished the match with figures of 3/38.

The result sees Australia move up to eighth in the rankings, and face Pakistan in its next match on Friday night.

Australia 5/215 (35.2) def. Sri Lanka 209 (43.3)

FIRST INNINGS

Sri Lanka – Perera 78 (82), Nissanka 61 (67), Asalanka 25 (39)
Australia – Zampa 4/47 (8), Cummins 2/32 (7), Starc 2/43 (10)

SECOND INNINGS

Australia – Inglis 58 (59), Marsh 52 (51), Labuschagne 40 (60)
Sri Lanka – Madushanka 3/38 (9), Wellalage 1/53 (9.2)