Colombo: Australia’s woes in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy worsened as they succumbed to a 49-run defeat against Sri Lanka in the opening ODI of the two-match series at the R Premadasa Stadium here. A brittle batting display saw the visitors bowled out for just 165 in 33.5 overs, chasing a target of 215 set by Sri Lankan, riding on captain Charith Asalanka’s masterful 127 off 126 balls.
Despite an early bowling wicket-blitz by Aaron Hardie and Spencer Johnson that reduced Sri Lanka to 31/4, Asalanka’s counter-attacking century ensured the hosts posted a competitive total of 214 after they won the toss and elected to bat first. His determined knock, laced with well-timed boundaries, was the bedrock of Sri Lanka’s innings, as he stitched together a crucial 79-run stand with Eshan Malinga, who contributed just a single run.
Australia, too, found themselves reeling 31/4 in a mirror collapse, with the top three managing a combined five runs. Matt Short fell for a second-ball duck, Jake Fraser-McGurk followed soon after for two, while Cooper Connolly’s attempted aggression against Maheesh Theekshana saw him trapped lbw for three.
Skipper Steve Smith, who had earlier pulled off a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Dunith Wellalage, departed for 12, bowled by Wellalage himself, leaving Australia in deep trouble. A brief resistance from Alex Carey (41 off 38) and Marnus Labuschagne (15 off 27) momentarily steadied the innings, but their dismissals in quick succession all but sealed Australia’s fate.
