World Cup 2023: Australia are back in their World Cup campaign after defeating Sri Lanka at the Ekana International Stadium in Lucknow.

Australia’s Playing XI:

Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Josh Inglis, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.

Sri Lanka’s Playing XI:

Kusal Mendis (C), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara.

Match Summary:

Australia defeated Sri Lanka in their ICC World Cup encounter on Monday by a margin of five wickets. Australia was sent in to bowl, and after removing Sri Lanka for 209 in 43.3 overs, they came back to complete the task in 35.2 overs, scoring 215 for 5 in a game that was temporarily stopped by rain.

Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat first. The opening duo scored 125 runs, giving Sri Lanka the perfect start. Kusala Perera scored 78 runs off 82 balls and his partner Pathum Nissanka scored 61 off 67 balls.

But after both the openers were dismissed, none of their batsmen were able to get into the game. The greatest collapse in World Cups since 2011 and Sri Lanka’s worst collapse since their first World Cup game, however, saw them lose 10 wickets for just 84 runs as they were bowled out for 209.

With stats of 4 for 47, Adam Zampa was the standout bowler, while Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc both took two wickets. The catches of Pathum Nissanka and Mendis by David Warner, however, deserve special recognition because they served as the catalyst for Sri Lanka’s demise.

Sri Lanka, and especially Dilshan Madushanka, got off to a strong start in defending their total. Twelve of Madushanka’s initial 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. He scored a 51-ball 52.

The chase was revived by the 77 runs added by Josh Inglis (58) and Marnus Labuschagne (40). The remaining runs were then scored by Glenn Maxewell (31) and Marcus Stoinis (20).

Five-time champions Australia are up and running and rise off the foot of the table 📈#AUSvSL | #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/z8HgrrKJsu

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 16, 2023