Despite a 125-run opening stand from Nissanka and Kusal Perera, Sri Lanka’s middle order was unable to build on the platform, falling from 157 for 1 to 209 all out while from Australia, Josh Inglis and Marnus Labuschagne made a 77 runs partnership. Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis entered the race and turbo-powered an already easy chase, romping home in the end to add the finishing touches.
Sri Lanka had won the toss and decided to bat first. The opening duo scored 125 runs, giving Sri Lanka the perfect start. However, a shocking collapse caused them to lose ten wickets for just 84 runs, which was Sri Lanka’s greatest collapse since their inaugural World Cup game, and they were eventually bowled out for 209.
For Sri Lanka, the collapse is a concerning trend as they have now wasted a strong position for the second game in a row, or the fourth time in five games if you include the warm-up games.
This match also demonstrated what may occur if Mendis falters; despite a 125-run opening stand from Nissanka and Kusal Perera, Sri Lanka’s middle order was unable to build on the platform, falling from 157 for 1 to 209 all out.
Nissanka had scored runs against Pakistan but Perera entered this game with a recently recovered shoulder issue and little previous form behind him. Although the Lankan openers weren’t exactly skilled at rotating the strike, there were enough boundary balls available to allay any pressure being built due to Australia’s seamers’ sluggish start.
No one could have expected the extent of the collapse that followed the pair’s best opening stand of the tournament for Sri Lanka, which would have had them aiming for a total of over 300.
Although Cummins will be given the credit for removing both Sri Lankan openers in the space of a few overs, a major portion of the credit should go to Warner whose catching created the opening.
Warner successfully hung on to two really challenging chances in the deep on either side of Cummins getting one back and dismissing Perera.
The first was to remove Nissanka, who misjudged a hook and appeared to be safe in the empty midwicket area before watching the patrolling Warner dart over from deep square leg and grab it on the slide.
With Warner’s second flash of brilliance, Adam Zampa was the one who benefited. An over later, Zampa struck again, trapping Sadeera Samarawickrama with a slider that was barely visible on the umpire’s call as leg stump contact.
Samarawickrama shook his head at the close call, but Australia will feel it made up for a not-out lbw call against Perera when he was on 24 that, had it been reviewed, would have shown three reds.
Karunaratne and Theekshana were both struck out by a pair of Zampa googlies as the innings started to collapse and then Starc came back to strike out Kumara with an inch-perfect yorker. The last man out, Charith Asalanka, hit Maxwell with a slog sweep.
Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc both took two wickets, but Adam Zampa was the standout bowler with figures of 4 for 47. However, David Warner deserves special recognition for two superb catches in the deep that resulted in the dismissal of Pathum Nissanka and Mendis, wickets that in many ways catalyzed Sri Lanka’s downfall.
Additionally, Australia’s fielding performance was a welcome change after their early losses to South Africa and India were characterized by some unexpectedly poor catching.
Sri Lanka, and particularly Dilshan Madushanka, got off to a strong start in defending their total. Twelve of Madushanka’s first deliveries, including a double-wicket maiden, resulted in 0 runs and two wickets. The dangerous Warner and Steven Smith were removed by those two wickets, but Mitchell Marsh at the other end gave Sri Lanka no relief.
Lahiru Kumara’s fullish delivery on off was the first ball of the chase, and Marsh lofted it back over mid-off without turning around.
Maheesh Theekshana was caught for a pair of magnificent boundaries after being introduced into the attack as early as the third over after Kumara had been hit for 15 in his opening over, and Marsh replicated the feat in Kumara’s following over. However, Dunith Wellalage received the harshest treatment, getting whacked for three boundaries in his opening salvo.
It took a beautiful throw from Chamika Karunaratne from deep to dismiss Marsh as he searched for a tight second, but by that point, a third of the chase had been knocked off, and the game was already won.
With a stand of 77 off 86, Josh Inglis and Marnus Labuschagne then put the result beyond question. Although both players collapsing before the finish line, Inglis still managed to reach fifty. Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis entered the race and turbo-powered an already easy chase, romping home in the end to add the finishing touches.
Zampa, Player of the Match:
“To be honest, did not feel great. Been sporting a back spasm for a couple of days but maybe bowled better [today]. I think that was the captain’s decision to bowl the offspinner to the lefties…Personally, I couldn’t bowl better in the last game and to be honest, I feel I can do better but good to be at the better end of the result tonight. Again, I didn’t feel at my best but I wanted to try and keep my wicket-taking attitude. We have a big game against Pakistan in Bangalore; that’s going to be a tough one.”
Kusal Mendis, the Sri Lanka Captain:
“Pathum and KP batted well for the opening partnership but after that, the middle order struggled. If we scored 290-300, it would have been good on this pitch. I think we didn’t rotate the strike enough and played more dots. I think the last two games we batted, but today we struggled a bit and we have six more matches to perform better. I have confidence in my batting unit. I think Madushanka bowled well and got two early wickets. I hope Dasun and Matheesha recover quickly.”
Pat Cummins, the Australia Captain:
“Yeah, happy today. It was probably that nothing was said and it was just on the back of two losses…The energy in the field was nice to start with and everything else flowed. Again, they started well but the way all the bowlers came in, hit the wicket and did their job, it was a great effort. I can’t read these wickets. About 300 [would’ve been parring] maybe. Outside noise doesn’t bother us too much. I hope so, all parts of the game came together at the end. We’re sort of underway in the tournament and hope we keep it up.”
Mitch Marsh speaks to Star Sports:
“It was a really good day for us. We came into the game with a little bit of pressure after the slow start, but our experienced guys stood up today. We’re away. I wouldn’t say soul-searching but there was plenty of hurt [after the loss to South Africa]. Hopefully, that’s a stepping stone for us in the right direction. Just making up for his [dad’s] strike rate. I felt like I was batting well tonight and I probably got ahead of myself (on the run-out). The boys were calm and the way we finished it off was great. I actually went for one over, but I was shut down. We have a heap of options – three quicks, Zampa, Maxwell, Stoin, and myself. He [Cummins] always has a calm demeanor. The way he bowled and his bowling changes were fantastic. Inglis is a fighter and loves a contest. He plays spin well and backs his skills. First of all, he has power and hopefully, it’s the start of a long career for him.”