Australia win as SL lose their way

Captain Aaron Finch's brilliant 153 and ruthless pace bowling by Mitchell Starc led Australia to an emphatic 87-run victory over Sri Lanka in the Cricket World Cup on Saturday.

Finch and Steve Smith (73) shared a fine partnership of 173 to lead the defending champions to an imposing total of 334 for seven at The Oval.

Sri Lanka, attempting a World Cup record run chase, faded after a bright start and Starc picked up four wickets as they were bowled out for 247 in the 46th over.

Australia's fourth win of the tournament lifted them top of the 10-team standings while Sri Lanka stayed fifth with only one win from five matches.

"I thought we were a tad short with the new ball and it’s so hard to pull it back after that. We were a bit slow to change our plans and lost a bit of momentum," man-of-the-match Finch said.

"With each game we’re improving. Through the middle overs today we were excellent with the way we pulled it back with our pace bowlers. Mitch was all over them, he is a world-class bowler," Finch added.

After Sri Lanka had won the toss, Finch and David Warner shared a solid opening partnership of 80 before Warner, on 26, was bowled by spinner Dhananjaya de Silva.

Usman Khawaja was caught at square leg off De Silva for 10, bringing former captain Smith to the crease.

Finch launched De Silva for successive sixes and the right-hander lifted Milinda Siriwardana for another maximum to reach three figures off 97 deliveries.

Finch moved past 150 and must have had his sights on a double century when he skied Isuru Udana to extra cover after hitting five sixes and 15 fours.

Smith was bowled by Lasith Malinga as Australia's momentum stalled briefly but despite a flurry of late wickets, Glenn Maxwell's quickfire unbeaten 46 ensured his team posted a very competitive total.

Sri Lanka's reply started well as Dimuth Kurunaratne and Kusal Perera took the score to 115-0 in the 16th over.

Perera, however, was bowled by Starc for 52 and Lahiru Thirimanne laboured to 16 before edging Jason Behrendorff to wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

Kurunaratne was three runs short of his century when he cut Kane Richardson to Maxwell at backward point and Angelo Mathews gloved Pat Cummins down the leg-side to Carey for nine.

Starc picked up two wickets in an over, bowling Milinda Siriwardana for three and getting Thisara Perera caught at mid-on for seven, and the left-arm seamer had Kusal Mendis caught by Carey for 30 as Sri Lanka's last eight wickets fell for 61 runs. (Reuters, London)

 

 

 

Sri Lanka going strong in chase of Australia's 334

Sri Lanka got off to a flying start in chase of the mammoth 334 for seven posted by Australia. The two opebners -- Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Perera -- strung together an 115-run opening stand before Perera was dismissed on 52 in the 16th over. However, skipper Karunaratne remains unbeaten on 81. Sri Lanka are now on 145 for the loss of one wicket after 23 overs.

 

Australia post a mammoth 334 for seven

After a brilliant 132-ball 153 from skipper Aaron Finch, contributions from Steven Smith (73 off 59) and Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 46 off just 25 balls helped Australia post a mammoth 334 for seven against Sri Lanka at the Kennington Oval in London today.

 

Finch falls after a brilliant 153

Australia skipper walks off after scoring a brilliant 153 off just 132 balls as he skied an Isuru Udana back of a hand slower delivery to the cover in the 43rd over. The fielder makes no mistake and a magnificent innings comes to an end. Finch has smashed 15 boundaries and four maximums on his way to the brilliant innings.

After Finch's dismissal, Steven Smith also departs in the following over. Australia are now on 280 for four at the end over 44.

 

 

Finch smashes ton as Australia move towards a big score

Australia skipper Aaron Finch has been is superb touch at the Kennington Oval in London today as he smashes a century off 97 deliveries against Sri Lanka.

The right-hander moved to the three-figure mark with a glorious six off a Siriwardana delivery in the 33rd over of the game. Australia are now on 190 for two after the end of 34 overs. Finch remains unbeaten on 104 off 103 balls and his partner Steven Smith at the other end is on 39 off 34 deliveries.

 

 

Australia sent to bat first

Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to field first against Australia at The Oval.

Coming to this match, Sri Lanka had an abandoned game against Bangladesh whereas Australia won convincingly by 41 runs against Pakistan.

Sri Lanka will need to do it the hard way with games against England, South Africa, India and West Indies still to come after Saturday's outing. For Australia, the equation is more likely to require three wins from their remaining five fixtures. At the same time Australia will be chasing improvement in terms of performance and also balance.

Playing XIs:

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jason Behrendorff, Kane Richardson

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Perera (wk), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Milinda Siriwardana, Nuwan Pradeep, Lasith Malinga

 

More to follow.....