ICC World Cup 2023: Sri Lankans are lost again

SL’s Dhananjaya de Silva is clean bowled by Australia pacer Mitchell Starc yesterday. Pic/PTI

Sri Lanka flattered to deceive, not once but twice. The way they started the match after opting to bat first, it seemed they would put the struggling Australian team under pressure. But despite the openers providing a solid 125-run start, Sri Lanka could manage only 209, losing 10 wickets for the addition of 84 runs. That was an abject surrender by their batters. And when they came out to defend a lowly target, they got rid of opener David Warner and Steve Smith cheaply. At 24 for two, it seemed anybody's game. But, Mitchell Marsh (52 in 51 balls) who was in superb touch, gave the innings the much-needed moment and picked up runs at a fast clip to set the stage for other batters to sew up a hard-fought five-wicket win with 14.4 overs to spare.

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Adam Zampa (centre) celebrates a SL wicket with teammates. Pic/AFP

The desperately needed win has given Australia a lifeline in the World Cup after having suffered defeats in the first two games against India in Chennai and against South Africa here in Lucknow. The five-time champions have been having a miserable time with most of their batters out of touch. In their two defeats, they were bundled out for under 200 and this time, getting to the target of 210 proved like climbing Mount Everest. Besides Marsh, Josh Inglis (58 in 59 balls) and Marnus Labuschagne (40 in 60) played fluently to ensure there were no hiccups.

Pakistan challenge next
This win has lifted them from the bottom of the points tally and they can now focus on tackling Pakistan in their next game in Bangalore on Friday and keeping their hopes for a berth in the semi-finals alive. On the other hand, 1996 champions Sri Lanka fell to their third defeat, and the inconsistent way they have played so far does not seem they could be contenders hereon.

Solid opening stand
After opting to bat first, Sri Lankan openers Pathum Nissanka (61) and Kusal Perera (78) batted with supreme confidence and at that time it seemed the team were on its way to a huge total. But the turnaround was brought about by Australian captain Pat Cummins who got rid of both Nissanka and Perera. From 157-2, the Lankan innings went into a spin and for the addition of a mere 52 runs, they lost eight wickets. Adam Zampa who was having a miserable time in the first two games, finally found his line and length to pick up four wickets. His getting into form is great news for the Aussies.

While defending the target, Dilshan Madhushanka gave the Australians a jolt when he accounted for Warner and Smith in his second over. Though the Aussies lost three more wickets, the result was never in doubt once Marsh, Inglis and Lubuschagne got going. Glenn Maxwell (31 not out) and Marcus Stoinis (20 not out) completed the formalities. The game was stopped twice due to passing showers and there was also a dust storm in between. Luckily, barring a delay of an hour, the keenly/contested match was not disrupted again.

Brief scores
Sri Lanka 209 all out in 43.3 overs (K Perera 78, P Nissanka 61; A Zampa 4-47, P Cummins 2-32, M Starc 2-43) lost to Australia 215-5 in 35.2 overs (J Inglis 58, M Marsh 52, M Labuschagne 40, G Maxwell 31'; D Madushanka 3-38) by 5 wkts