Australia secured their inaugural victory in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023, defeating Sri Lanka by five wickets in an exciting match.
Australia, five-time World Cup champions, successfully chased down a modest target of 210 runs in the 36th over. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, had a challenging start to their innings, losing two early wickets with only 24 runs on the board. Both David Warner (11) and Steve Smith (0) departed in the same over.
Mitchell Marsh, Australia’s opening batsman, alongside Marnus Labuschagne, built a steady partnership of 57 runs. Marsh, in exceptional form, scored 52 runs from 51 balls, including nine boundaries, before a run-out ended his innings in the 15th over.
Labuschagne played a crucial role for Australia, forming another valuable partnership of 77 runs with Josh Inglis before getting dismissed by Dilshan Madushanka in the 29th over. Labuschagne contributed 40 runs from 50 deliveries, featuring two boundaries.
Josh Inglis took charge of Australia’s run chase after Labuschagne’s departure but was dismissed in the 34th over, leaving his side needing 18 runs to secure victory. Inglis emerged as the highest run-scorer for Australia, amassing 58 runs from 59 balls, including five boundaries and a six. Late cameos by Glenn Maxwell (31 off 21) and Marcus Stoinis ensured Australia’s first triumph in the ICC World Cup 2023, propelling them to the eighth position in the standings.
Australia won the toss and chose to field, allowing Sri Lanka to bat first. The Sri Lankan openers, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera, set an impressive tone with a strong opening partnership of 125 runs. Nissanka reached his second consecutive half-century in 58 balls, while Kusal Perera achieved the milestone in just one ball fewer.
However, Australian captain Pat Cummins played a pivotal role in breaking the partnership with a brilliant catch by David Warner, dismissing Nissanka. Nissanka’s innings featured 61 runs from 67 balls, including eight boundaries.
Kusal Perera continued to anchor the innings alongside Kusal Mendis, accumulating 24 runs in their 32-run partnership until Pat Cummins shattered his stumps at 157. Perera emerged as the top-scorer for Sri Lanka, contributing 78 runs from 82 balls, featuring 12 boundaries.
However, Sri Lankan batters struggled after these dismissals, unable to recover from a brilliant bowling display by Australia. Charith Asalanka fought a solitary battle while losing partners, with none of the last nine batters managing to reach double figures. He scored 25 runs from 35 balls before being caught by Labuschagne off Maxwell, concluding Sri Lanka’s innings at 209 in the 44th over. Australia’s Adam Zampa led the bowling attack, with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc each claiming two wickets