1st ODI, Kandy, June 14, 2022, 02:30 PM
Sri Lanka
300/7(50.0ov)
Australia
282/8(42.3ov)
Australia beat Sri Lanka by 2 wickets (D/L method)
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Glenn Maxwell
Commentry
Right then, that is all we have from this game. The first match of the ODI series had it all, heavy hitting, sensational pieces of bowling, rain and Australia did manage to chase down their highest score against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka as well. The next game of the series will be played on Thursday, the 16th of June at 2.30 pm IST (9 am GMT) but our build-up as usual will begin much sooner. Till then, take care and goodbye!
Aaron Finch, captain of Australia says it was a very good game of cricket, and Maxwell's innings was filled with class and maturity. Adds that they were always one more wicket down than they would have liked but Maxwell played brilliantly and it would have been better to have those wickets in hand at the death but it's fine. Says that they could be better with the ball in the death overs and will look to improve in the next game.
Sri Lanka skipper, Dasun Shanaka says that both sides played really well and their bowling went a bit wrong in the game and that cost them. Adds that the opposition had experienced batters and that mattered. Says that 300 on the board is also a good total but the bowling let them down. On Wanindu Hasaranga, he says that it doesn't seem bad but they will have to wait and see. On Dunith Wellalage, he says that he has watched him for a long time now and reckons he has a very bright future ahead.
Glenn Maxwell (80* off 51 balls) is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his match-winning innings. Maxwell says that he is very pleased with the win because the wickets were tumbling. He adds that he tried to stick around till the end but thought it was the right option to take on the debutant and that released the pressure a bit. One being asked about the reverse sweep, he says that it is a shot he is familiar with and he has worked on it, so it's not fluke but more skill.
The presentation ceremony...
Earlier in the game, Dasun Shanaka opted to bat and on the back of a stellar opening stand of 115-runs and some breath-taking batting by Kusal Mendis and especially Wanindu Hasaranga at the death, Sri Lanka posted 300 runs on the board. They hadn't lost to Australia on home soil if they got to 270 runs or more and would have been pleased at the interval. Ashton Agar was impressive with the ball and Marnus Labuschagne did get a couple of wickets as well but the pacers were a bit disappointing. Rain played a bit of spoilsport when Australia were 72/2 in 12.4 overs, after which the target was revised to 282 runs off 44 overs and action on the field got even more interesting. After a few good knocks from Aaron Finch, Steven Smith and Marcus Stoinis, the visitors still needed a big innings from somewhre. Cue in the 'Big Show' and it was Glenn Maxwell's effort that got his side the victory.
The hosts had the runs on the board and with Maheesh Theekshana dismissing Warner in the very first over, they couldn't just press the issue inside the Powerplay. The bowling overall was erratic with no one really bowling well throughout the match. It was the wickets that Lankan bowlers took that gave them the chance and the pick of the bunch certainly was Wanindu Hasaranga who played through a hamstring issue and did put on quite a show. The other two spinners were expensive, debutant Dunith Wellalage did get a couple of crucial wickets but he will be looking to improve a bit more. A game the hosts will feel they should have but they are behind in the series and will look to pull up their socks in the next game.
Chasing a stiff target of 301, Australia didn't have the best of starts as David Warner fell in the very first over but then came the 67-run stand between skipper Aaron Finch and Steven Smith. Finch did get out but Smith carried on his merry way before rain played spoilsport. After a long break, Smith came back and scored a well-composed half-century. Marcus Stoinis too played a good cameo but the Aussies kept on losing wickets at crucial stages of the game. It was certainly the innings from Glenn Maxwell (80* off 51 balls) that almost single-handedly took them over the line and has now put them in front early in the series.
What a brilliant game of cricket we have witnessed! The hosts gave it their all but Glenn Maxwell just absorbed all the pressure and has taken his side to victory. A closely-fought match goes in the favour of the visitors and they lead the five-match ODI series 1-0.
In over# 43
6
6
0
Dushmantha Chameera 60/0(7.3)
42.3
6
SIX! Maxwell ends it in style! Short and on middle, Maxwell hammers the pull over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. What a knock! What composure shown by him. Just brilliant. AUSTRALIA WIN BY TWO WICKETS!
42.2
6
SIX! What a shot that is! Outstanding! Length and on off, Maxwell stands tall and lofts it over the long off fence for a biggie. Another one of those and the game is done.
42.1
.
Yet another dot from Chameera! He has been brilliant at the death! Length and on off, Maxwell happily pushes it back to the bowler.
In over# 42
0
1
2
0
4
4
Dunith Wellalage 49/2(7)
41.6
.
A dot to end then! 12 needed in 12. On off, tossed up, this is pushed to cover. Australia's game now. Only chance Sri Lanka have is if they get Maxwell in the next three balls.
41.5
1
A single which means 12 needed in 13. On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.
41.4
2
Two more! Fuller and outside off, this is hit through covers for two.
41.3
.
Maxwell misses out! Down the leg side. He sweeps but to the man at short fine leg.
41.2
4
FOUR! Pressure released! Just the 15 needed now! Down the leg side, a poor ball, Maxwell sweeps it fine and the ball races away to the fence. Giving him the ball was always going to be a risky move.