ICC Men's Cricket World Cup: Australia taste first victory beating Lanka by 5 wkts

Sports Reporter :
Australia tasted their first victory in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup after eased past Sri Lanka by five wickets in their third match at Lucknow in India on Monday.

Chasing Sri Lanka’s paltry total of 209 off 43.3 overs, Australia stormed into the victory target in 35.2 overs making 215 for the loss of five wickets.

Australia lost their early two wickets for 24 runs.

Opener Mitchell Marsh and second-down Marnus Labuschangne mended the innings contributing together 57 runs for the third wicket partnership before Mitchell Marsh was run out by a joint-effort of Chamika Karunaratne and wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis when the Aussies total was 81 for the loss of three wickets.

Mitchell Marsh hit a terrific 52. His 51-run innings was belted with nine fours.

After Mitchell’s departure, Labuschangne and Josh Inglis built a worthy partnership.

They scored together 77 runs in the fourth wicket stand before Labuschangne was caught at the midwicket by Chamika Karunaratne off Dilshan Madushanka when Australia’s score was 158 for the loss of four wickets.

Labuschangne hit a polished 40 from 60 deliveries including two fours.

Then, Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell added 34 runs for the fifth wicket partnership before Josh was caught at the point by Maheesh Theekshana off Dunith Wellalage when Aussies total was 192 for the loss of five wickets.

Josh struck a splendid 58. His 59-ball innings had five fours and a sixer.

Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis guided their team to anchor the victory target.

Maxwell remained unbeaten with 31 runs, while Marcus remained unbeaten with 20 runs.

Madushanka was his team’s most successful bowler with three wickets for 38 runs.

Earlier, Sri Lanka made a solid start as openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera put on together 125 runs in the opening stand before Nissanka was caught at the deep square leg by David Warner off Pat Cummins.

Nissanka notched up a fine 61. He hit eight fours in his 67-ball knock.

After Nissanka’s dismissal, Kusal Perera was bowled out by Pat Cummins when the Islanders’ total was 167 for the loss of two wickets.

Kusal Perera knocked a marvelous 78. His 82-ball innings was laced with 12 fours.

After Perera’s departure, Sri Lankan batters failed to resist the tight, controlled and superb bowling attack. Thus, Sri Lanka paid heavily.

Adam Zampa captured four wickets in the space of 47 runs, while Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc bagged two wickets each instead of 32 and 43 runs respectively.

Besides, Glenn Maxwell took one wicket for 36 runs.