Australia, affected by injuries, got an exciting two-port victory over Sri Lanka in the first international of a day with Glenn Maxwell shattering half a century of entertainment.
Batting at number seven, Maxwell rescued the Australian tickets when he entered 5-189 with 93 required 84-run runs. The Victorian was undefeated in 80 of 51 deliveries with six fours and six sixes.
READ MORE: Serena reveals a massive Wimbledon decision
READ MORE: “The Madness” that has caused the Tigers’ decade of pain
READ MORE: Why the problem of “basketball” has “shaken” Ricciardo
Australia needed 12 runs in the last two overs and Maxwell ensured his team secured victory with nine balls left over, hitting Dushmantha Chameera for six in a row.
Sri Lankan spinners had been on the money, especially leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who picked up four ports, but Maxwell played bowling, clearing the boundary without any problems. Its excellent inter-port performance put pressure on Sri Lankan spinners. With him throwing and sweeping backwards at will, the bowling players were under pressure and started to get it wrong with their lengths.
Maxwell was involved in two crucial lower-order partnerships to see Australia above the line. On the 10th Chamika Karunaratne had been given the leg before the wicket, but she successfully overturned the decision after reviewing it. From there, he couldn’t stop it as he posed for his 23rd half-century ODI with a backhand for four.
Australia has slowed down due to injuries. Mitchell Marsh (knee) and Mitchell Starc (finger) are not available for injury selection, while Kane Richardson (hamstring) and Sean Abbott (finger) have returned home. The victory will cheer tourists with Starc and Marsh expected to be available for the Colombo stage of the ODI series.
When Sri Lanka set a goal of 301, they were the favorites to win, as no team had chased so many on the spot. However, Australia’s goal was revised after a rain break. Given Maxwell’s state of mind, nothing seemed impossible.
KANDY, SRI LANKA – JUNE 14: Glenn Maxwell of Australia hits the limit during the first match of the ODI series between Sri Lanka and Australia at Pallekele Cricket Stadium on June 14, 2022 in Kandy, Sri Lanka. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe / Getty Images) (Getty)
Three and a half centuries allowed Sri Lanka to reach its total of 300. The open Pathum Nissanka (56) and Danushka Gunathilaka (55) added 115 runs for the first port before being fired in quick succession.
Kusal Mendis then anchored the innings making an 86 unbeaten out of 87 deliveries with eight fours and a six. They lost three wickets in 19 races while Australia struggled, but a 77-run position between Mendis and Charith Asalaka (37) helped them get out of the fall.
“Our bowls didn’t live up to it as we threw too many short balls and full throws,” Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka said. “They baptized well and gave credit to their batsmen. They read the situation well. We made a good effort to put 300 on the board and I thought it was a winning score. But then our bowling today has been poor. We have to “Sit down, look at our strategies and recover in the next game.”
Australia boss Aaron Finch said Maxwell’s blow was “fantastic”.
“He was very smart and took some calculated risks. Even though we established worthy collaborations, we were always playing catch-up as we kept losing ports,” Finch said. “Then Maxwell put us back in the game. Steve Smith also baptized well. Great to start the series with a win.”
For a daily dose of the best breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!