SL vs AUS: ‘Cool as a cucumber’ Glenn Maxwell guides Australia to a hard-fought 2-wicket win over Sri Lanka
India Today
AUS vs SL, 1st ODI: Glenn Maxwell scored an unbeaten 51-ball 80 as Australia beat Sri Lanka by 2 wickets at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Australia, on Tuesday, June 14, defeated Sri Lanka by 2 wickets in the opening match of the ODI series at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
After Dasun Shanaka’s brilliance guided the Islanders to a win in the third T20I, Sri Lanka started the ODI series on a decent note. After electing to bat first, the home side posted a daunting target of 301 for the Aussies to chase down.
Danushka Gunathilaka and Pathum Nissanka laid the platform with a 115-run partnership for the opening wicket. But both batters perished in the space of 2 overs and Australia looked like getting back into the contest.
From there on, Kusal Mendis took charge and made sure that the Sri Lankans touched the 300-run mark. The right-handed batter stayed unbeaten on 86 off 87 with the help of eight fours and one six.
Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga scored 37 runs each and lent Mendis support. Ashton Agar and Marnus Labuschagne picked up two wickets apiece.
In the run-chase, Australia found themselves in early trouble after Maheesh Theekshana got rid of the dangerous David Warner. During the 13th over, rain interrupted play and the Aussies were set a revised target of 282 in 44 overs.
Aaron Finch and Steve Smith restored sanity to proceedings, having scored 44 and 53 runs respectively. Marcus Stoinis chipped in with 44 runs in double quick time.
