That’s all for today. We’ll have a match report shortly, and Jim and I will be back on Friday for the second game. See you then.
Steve Smith’s reaction
I don’t think the toss was too important – the wicket was pretty similar throughout. Charith was the difference, he played beautifully through the middle. I thought our bowlers did a really good job; unfortunately none of our batters were able to get going. Sometimes that happens.
It was a tricky wicket to bat on. The seamers were getting a lot of movement. There wasn’t a whole heap of spin but it was skidding on and we didn’t get going with the bat. We’ll be better for the run.
We’ve got a big ICC tournament coming up but we want to win these games. We were outplayed today; we’ll come again on Friday.
A reminder of the earlier news that Matthew Kuhnemann, who starred in Australia Test series victory, has been reported for a bowling action.
The second and final ODI is on the same ground on Friday. This has been a poor day for Australia but in the grand scheme it won’t worry them. If they lose again on Friday with their first-choice XI it might be different.
Sri Lanka win by 49 runs
Theekshana bowled beautifully for figures of 9.5-1-40-4. He was the pick of the bowlers, but the player of the match – by a distance – was their captain Charith Asalanka. His marvellous 127 rescued Sri Lanka, who were 55 for 5 and then 135 for 8, and gave his bowlers something to defend. They did it with aplomb.
WICKET! Australia 165 all out (Johnson LBW b Theekshana 0)
Yep, it pitched on leg stump and straightened, so Maheesh Theekshana has wrapped up an excellent victory for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka review for LBW against Johnson
Theekshana thinks he has his fourth wicket; if it pitched in line it’s out.
33rd over: Australia 162-9 (Zampa 19, Johnson 0) Zampa is showing the value of playing with a straight bat. He lofts Hasaranga sweetly over mid-off for four more, then chips the penultimate ball down the ground to keep the strike.
32nd over: Australia 155-9 (Zampa 12, Johnson 0) After a rare bad ball from Theekshana goes for five wides, Zampa drives through extra cover four with a touch of class. Shot!
31st over: Australia 145-9 (Zampa 7, Johnson 0) That was the last ball of the over.
WICKET! Australia 145-9 (Hardie LBW b Hasaranga 32)
Wanindu Hasaranga gets the wicket he has been hunting all night. Hardie, who played nicely but had too much to do, misses a sweep and is plumb LBW. He uses Australia’s last review, just in case ball-tracking decides to go rogue, but deep down he knows it’s hitting middle two-thirds of the way up.
30th over: Australia 141-8 (Hardie 30, Zampa 5) “Much of this batting would be witless if there were, say, only 20 overs in which to score runs,” says Eamonn Maloney.
I think that’s a bit harsh. Some of the decision making hasn’t been great but it must be so hard trying to think clearly in those conditions. They’ll be better for the experience, especially Fraser-McGurk and Connolly.
29th over: Australia 136-8 (Hardie 27, Zampa 3) Zampa edges a beauty from Wellalage and is dropped at slip by Asalanka. He got there in time, reaching to his left, but couldn’t hold on.
Drinks.
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28th over: Australia 130-8 (Hardie 25, Zampa 1) This will be Sri Lanka’s 14th win out in 20 ODIs since the 2023 World Cup, with five defeats and a tie.
Australia won’t be particularly worried, especially as they are without at least three of their best XI in Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis.
27th over: Australia 127-8 (Hardie 23, Zampa 0) It’s a shame Sri Lanka aren’t at the Champions Trophy. With their phalanx of spinners they would enrich the tournament.
WICKET! Australia 127-8 (Ellis b Wellalage 0)
Nathan Ellis misses a reverse sweep, Dunith Wellalage hits. The end. That’s not a great shot with Hardie at the other end; I guess Australia know the game is up.
26th over: Australia 126-7 (Hardie 22, Ellis 0) That was the last ball of the over.
WICKET! Australia 126-7 (Abbott ct and b Theekshana 20)
Maheesh Theekshana is called upon to end this irksome seventh-wicket partnership; he needs just six balls. Abbott pushed across the line with hard hands and offered a simple return catch. It’s surely Sri Lanka’s game now.
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25th over: Australia 121-6 (Hardie 17, Abbott 20) Wellalage continues to attack the stumps from round the wicket and is a bit unfortunate when Abbott inside edges down the leg side for four. A similiar delivery leads a strangled LBW shout; missing leg.
24th over: Australia 115-6 (Hardie 16, Abbott 15) Hardie blasts Hasaranga superbly through midwicket for four. In the context of a low-scoring game, Hasaranga’s spell is a poor one: 4-0-36-0.
23rd over: Australia 108-6 (Hardie 10, Abbott 14) Abbott, surprised by a ball from Wellalage that stops in the pitch, almost offers a return catch. The ball looped up but landed short of the bowler.
Hardie backs away to slash his first boundary and move into double figures. Australia haven’t given this up; they need 107 from 27 overs.
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22nd over: Australia 102-6 (Hardie 6, Abbott 13) Abbott is dropped at slip, a sharp chance to Nissanka off the bowling of Hasaranga. Steve Smith took an even tougher chance earlier in the day but, well, he’s different.
21st over: Australia 98-6 (Hardie 3, Abbott 11) The required rate is four an over, which is fine. Australia’s problem is the loss of six wickets, and the longish tail that will be exposed at the end of this partnership.
20th over: Australia 95-6 (Hardie 1, Abbott 10)
REVIEW! Australia 95-6 (Hardie not out 1)
A change of ends almost does the trick for Wanindu Hasaranga. After Abbott hit him for two boundaries, Hardie missed a reverse sweep and was hit on the back thigh. He was given out LBW but reviewed the decision successfully; the contact was outside the line of off stump.
19th over: Australia 86-6 (Hardie 1, Abbott 1)
WICKET! Australia 85-6 (Carey c Nissanka b Asalanka 41)
Charith Asalanka is having a day out! He scored a glorious hundred earlier in the day and now he has taken the key wicket of Carey. It wasn’t a great shot from Carey, who holed out to long-off to end a busy innings of 41 from 38 balls. Sri Lanka are huge favourites now.
18th over: Australia 85-5 (Carey 41, Hardie 1) Theekshana almost skids a quicker ball – a much quicker ball, 65mph – through Carey. He’s bowling beautifully and isn’t flattered by figures of 5-1-14-2.
Australia have a longish tail by modern standards so their hopes rest on Carey, Aaron Hardie and Sean Abbott.
WICKET! Australia 83-5 (Labuschagne LBW b Theekshana 15)
Yep, Theekshana is the danger man. Labuschagne misses a premeditated lap and is hit in front of off stump. Chris Gaffaney gives it out LBW out and, though Labuschagne reviews, ball-tracking says it’s umpire’s call on the point of contact and would have gone on to hit the stumps. That’s a big wicket.
17th over: Australia 81-4 (Labuschagne 13, Carey 40) The captain Charith Asalanka brings himself on to replace Hasaranga, whose first over was a bit of a shambles. Labuschagne skids back to force a big off-break down the ground for a single. for a split-second it looked like that was going to clean him up.
That’s one of four singles in the over, the last of which brings up the fifty partnership in only 47 balls. It’s been dominated by Carey, who is in superb form, but Labuschagne has played an important role by getting him on strike at every opportunity.
16th over: Australia 77-4 (Labuschagne 11, Carey 38) Australia are taking no risks against Theekshana, who is bowling a very tight line and spinning the ball both ways. Two from the over.
15th over: Australia 75-4 (Labuschagne 10, Carey 37) Carey ends a brilliant over for Australia – 15 from it – by muscling a slog-sweep for six. He has sped to 37 from 29 balls and looks in the form of his life.
Carey is not out Yep, that’s a stinker of a review – it was turning a long way past leg stump.
Sri Lanka review for LBW against Carey!
14.4 overs: Australia 69-4 (Labuschagne 10, Carey 31) Time for the legspin of Wanindu Hasaranga. Carey, who has started with the relaxed positivity of a man in prime form, picks the googly and chips stylishly over mid-off for four.
A full toss is pumped straight down the ground for four more, then Hasaranga has a big LBW appeal turned down. This looks close, though maybe it was turning past leg stump. Sri Lanka are going to have a look.
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14th over: Australia 60-4 (Labuschagne 9, Carey 23) The mystery offspinner Theekshana is a big threat on this pitch. He has an LBW turned down against Carey – pitched outside leg – before finding an inside edge that flies just past the stumps for four.
Drinks.
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13th over: Australia 52-4 (Labuschagne 8, Carey 17) Asitha returns and is driven over short cover for four by Carey. There were a few oohs and aahs but he was in control of the shot. Less so later in the over when he tried to pull a ball that kept a bit low and ran through to the keeper.
Australia need 163 from 37 overs.
12th over: Australia 45-4 (Labuschagne 7, Carey 11) A wide and a misfield help Australia take seven low-risk runs from Wellalage’s second over.
11th over: Australia 38-4 (Labuschagne 5, Carey 7) Malinga pushes Carey back with a couple of sharp bumpers, then slips in a full ball that Carey flicks just short of mid-on. Sri Lanka are bowling superbly.
10th over: Australia 36-4 (Labuschagne 5, Carey 5) Alex Carey is almost bowled first ball! He tried to reverse sweep the left-arm spinner Wellalage and under-edged the ball through the legs of the keeper for four. It was so close to hitting leg stump.
Sri Lanka are one wicket away from the bowling allrounders.
WICKET! Australia 31-4 (Smith b Wellalage 12)
Dunith Wellalage strikes first ball! Steve Smith tried to impose himself with a big slog sweep but missed it completely and was cleaned up. Australia have a job on to win this game now.
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9th over: Australia 31-3 (Smith 12, Labuschagne 5) Malinga changes ends to replace Fernando, who bowled a fine new-ball spell of 4-1-16-2. The required rate is only about 4.5 so Labuschagne can take a bit of time to get his eye in. When he gets a drive ball later in the over, he puts it away with authority for his first boundary.
8th over: Australia 27-3 (Smith 12, Labuschagne 1) Theekshana appeals for another LBW when Smith misses a push across the line. It would have missed leg stump.
Later in the over Smith jabs down on a ball that keeps low. It was wide of off stump but that low bounce is a concern for Australia.
7th over: Australia 26-3 (Smith 12, Labuschagne 0) Asitha beats Smith with another beautiful delivery – perfect line and length with just enough movement away from the bat.
Smith responds with two boundaries in three balls. The first was threaded beautifully between extra cover and mid-off, the second pulled with almost absent-minded certainty.
A terrific over ends with Asitha again beating Smith, who points down the pitch to acknowledge the bowler’s excellence. I think that’s what he was doing anyway.
6th over: Australia 18-3 (Smith 4, Labuschagne 0) Theekshana starts with a wicket maiden. For the umpteenth time, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne are together in the middle with a mess to clean up.
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WICKET! Australia 18-3 (Connolly LBW b Theekshana 3)
Sri Lanka turn to spin in the shape of Maheesh Theekshana – and he strikes third ball! Connolly, who was beaten by Theekshana’s first ball, launched into a big slog-sweep, missed and was hit on the back thigh.
Connolly walked down to discuss a review with Smith, who gave him the bad news. It looked plumb. Not a great shot from Connolly but it’s all part of his education.
5th over: Australia 18-2 (Connolly 3, Smith 4) An inswinger from Asitha to Connolly flies down the leg side for five wides. He’s targeting Connolly with the ball that comes back in to the left-hander and almost gets the desired result when an inside edge hits the back pad.
This is great experience for Connolly, much more valuable than a carefree romp to a target of 140.
4th over: Australia 12-2 (Connolly 2, Smith 4) Smith reaches for a wide ball from Malinga that keeps low and flies for four off the bottom edge. He’s beaten later in the over, squared up by a jaffa from Malinga. Sri Lanka have started admirably with the ball.
3rd over: Australia 7-2 (Connolly 1, Smith 0) Steve Smith walks out to the middle.
WICKET! Australia 7-2 (Fraser-McGurk ct and b Asitha 2)
Marvellous bowling from Asitha Fernando! He worked Fraser-McGurk over beautifully in that over, with an edge just short of slip and then a play and miss outside off stump. Fraser-McGurk tried to fight back by walking down the track, but he was squared up and got a leading edge that was caught smartly by Asitha in his follow through. He has 2-2 from 1.4 overs.
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2nd over: Australia 7-1 (Fraser-McGurk 2, Connolly 1) Fraser-McGurk, 22, and Connolly, 21, are batting together for the first time in international cricket. If all goes to plan they’ll spend a lot of time together in the middle over the next decade.
Eshan Malinga starts at the other end. Fraser-McGurk starts to walk down the track, so Malinga rams in a sharp bumper that forces him to abort his pull stroke. Sri Lanka have started very aggressively in the field.
The ball is doing a bit so it’ll be interesting to see whether Fraser-McGurk, in particular, goes as hard as usual. He works a single off the hip and then an errant delivery to the left-handed Connolly flies away for four leg-byes.
1st over: Australia 2-1 (Fraser-McGurk 1, Connolly 1) The new batter Cooper Connolly is greeted with a superb inducker that beats his attempted drive and whooshes past off stump. Then he gets off the mark with a thick inside edge past leg stump for a single.
A brilliant first over from Asitha Fernando concludes with Fraser-McGurk taking a very tight single to mid-on.
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Replays show it would have been a waste of a review from Short - the ball was hitting the top of the stumps.
WICKET! Australia 0-1 (Short LBW b Asitha 0)
Matt Short has gone second ball! He was turned around by a superb delivery that pitched on middle stump and straightened sharply to hit the flap of the back pad. Short was keen to review, presumably on height, but Fraser-McGurk wasn’t convinced and eventually they ran out of time.
Asitha didn’t even bother appealing; he was straight off in celebration like Stuart Broad.
Updated
Right, time for Australia’s runchase. Asitha Fernando will open up to Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk. There was some early movement for the Aussies so Sri Lanka will hope for the same.
Cheers Jim, evening everyone. Some knock, that, from Charith Asalanka: 127 from 126 balls with 14 fours and five sixes. His last 70 runs came from only 41 balls.
Asalanka added 79 for the ninth wicket with Eshan Malinga, who made precisely one of those runs. I love a one-sided partnership like that. My favourite comes from a county game between Glamorgan and Essex in 1981. On a vile turner, Javed Miandad added 43 for the eighth wicket with Robin Hobbs – who was out first ball.
If you’re a scorecard aficionado, you’ll love this.
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That’s my stint done but here comes Rob Smyth to take you through the Australian response. Game on!
Sri Lanka all out for 214
It’s all over very quickly after Asalanka departs, Asitha Fernando edges Abbott behind to Carey and Sri Lanka set the Aussies 215 runs to win. At 31-3 and 55-5 the home side were nowhere and heading for ignominy but they have their captain to thank for hauling them back into this match.
Skipper Charith Asalanka lifted Sri Lanka to 214 with a brilliant 127 #SLvAUSpic.twitter.com/mDNUHTvVWq
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 12, 2025
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WICKET! Asalanka c Fraser-McGurk b Abbott 127 (Sri Lanka 214-9)
Asalanka swivels Abbot away over fine leg for SIX but then the fun comes to an end. Asalanka is caught in the deep and an incredible innings comes to a close. What a knock, one of the best this OBO has seen in recent years. Glenn Maxwell would have been mightily pleased with those single-handed heroics, 127 defiant runs to give his side a chance in this match. Well batted Charith Asalanka!
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45th over: Sri Lanka 208-8 (Asalanka 121, Malinga 1) More runs! Asalanka carves Nathan Ellis over point for four and follows up with delicious late cut for four. He takes a single off the fourth ball of the over but Malinga does his job and survives the final two. Scenes!
44th over: Sri Lanka 199-8 (Asalanka 116, Malinga 1) Now then! This is quickly turning into a truly remarkable innings by Asalanka, he opens the shoulders and duly smears Short over the leg side fence for SIX and then effortlessly nudges fine off his pads for four more. A single off the last ball sees him farm the strike expertly once again. Australia have got no response to him whatsoever.
43rd over: Sri Lanka 188-8 (Asalanka 101, Malinga 1) The crowd cheers as loudly for Malinga getting off the mark as they did for Asalanka’s ton! A poke into the off side does the trick after 21 balls.
A remarkable century for Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka! He takes a single into the off side off Nathan Ellis to get there, 112 balls and a combination of stoic defence morphing gradually into thrilling strokeplay. He’s given his side a sniff after they were down and out at the start of this innings.
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42nd over: Sri Lanka 185-8 (Asalanka 99, Malinga 0) Asalanka goes to 99 with a biff down the ground and a scampered single. Fifty partnership up of which Malinga has contributed zilch in terms of runs but he’s hung around admirably for his captain.
41st over: Sri Lanka 180-8 (Asalanka 94, Malinga 0) Sublime from Asalanka! He uppercuts Abbott for four off the first ball of the over before absolutely rinsing a pull over cow corner for SIX! Another pull for two is followed by a single off the last ball so he keeps strike. He’s on 94 and one blow away from a remarkable back slammed against the wall century. Steve Smith is doing plenty of semaphore now, 55-5 seems quite while ago.
40th over: Sri Lanka 166-8 (Asalanka 81, Malinga 0) Smith recalls Zampa and Asalanka greets him with a slog sweep into the stands at midwicket! SIX! A single leaves Malinga with two balls to survive… one down… two down. The crowd cheer, on we go. Ten overs left.
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39th over: Sri Lanka 159-8 (Asalanka 74, Malinga 0) Asalanka pounds Abbott down the ground for four and then takes the single to keep strike for the following over.
38th over: Sri Lanka 154-8 (Asalanka 69, Malinga 0) Asalanka is playing a really standalone knock in Colombo. He swats Short away for four by clearing the front leg and pannelling down the ground.
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37th over: Sri Lanka 149-8 (Asalanka 64, Malinga 0) Spencer Johnson now to Asalanka… SIX! Launched high and long over mid on by the Sri Lankan captain. A thunderous shot. Three dots follow before Asalanka takes the single off the fifth to leave Malinga with one ball to face. The tailender survives, just. On we go.
36th over: Sri Lanka 142-8 (Asalanka 57, Malinga 0) Men around the bat and two slips in for Malinga. Short rattles through his sixth over and there’s just one single off it.
35th over: Sri Lanka 141-8 (Asalanka 56, Malinga 0) Hardie replaces Ellis as Smith continues to shuffle with abandon. Just a single off the over as Malinga gets a thin edge that lands short of Smith in the slips. Don’t hit it in the air near ol’ velcro paws!
34th over: Sri Lanka 140-8 (Asalanka 55, Malinga 0) Matt Short recalled and Asalanka top edges over slip for four. The Sri Lanka skipper looks to be suffering from a bit of cramp. There’s a delay whilst the physio come on with some magic ‘erbs and tinctures.
33rd over: Sri Lanka 135-8 (Asalanka 50, Malinga 2) Eshan Malinga blocks out the rest of the over to make it a wicket maiden and give his skipper the strike for the next over. Humpty time?
WICKET! Theekshana c Carey b Ellis 2 (Sri Lanka 135-8)
Nathan Ellis once more, flannel dangling out the back of his trews a la Angus Fraser in his pomp. Less of a harangued waiter vibe than dear old Gus mind. GONE! Tiny edge from Theekshana and it shows on the UltraEdge, he can’t believe it but has to drag himself from the middle. Nathan Ellis’ mightily impressive afternoon continues.
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32nd over: Sri Lanka 135-7 (Asalanka 50, Theekshana 2) Sean Abbot into the attack to replace Hardie. Steve Smith still attacking with slip and leg-slip in position. Abbott has more than a whiff of Pat Cummins about his approach to the crease. Big Pat would be proud of the over too, just a single from it as Abbott gets some bounce from back of a length.
31st over: Sri Lanka 134-7 (Asalanka 50, Theekshana 0) Maheesh Theekshana joins his skipper in the middle with every run a precious commodity. Ellis has bowled really well today, he has 1-11 off six overs!
WICKET! Hasaranga b Ellis 7 (Sri Lanka 133-7)
Nathan Ellis sorts out Hasaranga with a beauty. Full and nipping away late, the off-stump knocked back. Seven down and Australia in the hunt for a quick kill now.
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30th over: Sri Lanka 130-6 (Asalanka 50, Hasaranga 7) Aaron Hardie brought back too, a single takes Asalanka to a gutsy 71-ball fifty. A captain’s knock. His team need him to go on and get them something to bowl at.
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29th over: Sri Lanka 130-6 (Asalanka 49, Hasaranga 5) Nathan Ellis returns, he looked slippery early on. Four dots to Asalanka before two singles to close out the over.
28th over: Sri Lanka 128-6 (Asalanka 48, Hasaranga 4) Apologies I just had to deal with a freshly awoken toddler. Four off Short’s latest.
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27th over: Sri Lanka 124-6 (Asalanka 47, Hasaranga 1) Zampa continues. I’m still watching the replays of Smith’s catch tbh. Hasaranga off the mark with a punch down the ground.
26th over: Sri Lanka 122-6 (Asalanka 46, Hasaranga 0) Wanindu Hasaranga is the new man and blocks a dot to end the over.
That catch, phewf, what a stunner. Here’s one I prepared earlier on Smudge’s velcro hands.
WICKET! Wellalage c Smith b Short 30 (Sri Lanka 122-6)
WHAT A CATCH! Steve Smith that is brilliant! One of the best catches you’ll see as Smith dives to his left at full stretch, showing lightning reflexes to pouch Wellalage off the bowling of Short. Fire up the replay, that warrants at least ten re-watches right now!
Just try and stop him! #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/Nxy8HKIAQa
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 12, 2025
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25th over: Sri Lanka 120-5 (Asalanka 45, Wellalage 29) Asalanka plays a lovely late glide off the face to pick up four off Zampa, he’s now within sight of what would be a gutsy and battling fifty.
24th over: Sri Lanka 114-5 (Asalanka 40, Wellalage 28) Short drops erm short and is cut away for two runs. Three more singles pocketed off the over in addition. Sri Lanka edging back into the contest, the run rate creeping towards five an over and it’s been ten overs since the last wicket fell.
23rd over: Sri Lanka 109-5 (Asalanka 38, Wellalage 25) It’s a switcheroo of ends for Zampa. Shot! Asalanka uses his feet and drives powerfully down the ground for four! That’s the fifty partnership up. Seven runs in total off the over as the re-build job continues.
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22nd over: Sri Lanka 102-5 (Asalanka 32, Wellalage 24) Matt Short replaces Zampa. Time for some offies. He’s round the wicket and beats Asalanka on the outside edge. A single to point is the only action off a tidy first over.
21st over: Sri Lanka 101-5 (Asalanka 31, Wellalage 24) Wellalage and Aslanka are combining nicely, rotating strike and showing a decent understanding. Seven runs taken off Johnson’s over with a minimum of risk.
20th over: Sri Lanka 94-5 (Asalanka 27, Wellalage 21) Zampa with a leg slip in place. Three singles off the over and the partnership into the forties between this pair. Australia having to graft now for the first time in the match.
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19th over: Sri Lanka 90-5 (Asalanka 26, Wellalage 18) Johnson returns for his second spell and fifth over. Asalanka is timing it well now and pulls powerfully for two into the deep, Fraser-McGurk diving to stop the boundary. Sri Lanka edging towards 100, that looked unlikely at one stage early on.
18th over: Sri Lanka 86-5 (Asalanka 23, Wellalage 17) Adam Zampa into the attack and the first sighting of spin. Shades on and freshly shorn barnet. Asalanka flicks a full ball off his toes and away fine for four. Zampa lobs up a few full tosses as he tries to locate his groove. Six off the over, a decent little period this for Sri Lanka.
17th over: Sri Lanka 80-5 (Asalanka 16, Wellalage 16) Wellalage makes the most of Smith moving a fourth slip in position by flaying consecutive drives through the open space at cover point! Smith takes the fourth slip out and an edge from Asalanka flies through the newly vacant region for four more. Sri Lanka’s most productive over – 15 runs off it.
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16th over: Sri Lanka 65-5 (Asalanka 12, Wellalage 7) Ellis has looked sparky with the ball today, he beats the edge twice in his latest over, running his fingers across the seam and finding the edge, this time it bounced a foot or two in front of Smith in the slips.
15th over: Sri Lanka 62-5 (Asalanka 11, Wellalage 6) Dunith Wellalage is the new batter. He’s greeted by Sean Abbott with his dander up and three slips in place. The bowler gives away a free hit by overstepping and the new batter gets off the mark by cutting away over point for SIX! Nicely done.
WICKET! Liyanage c Smith b Abbott 11 (Sri Lanka 55-5)
Sri Lanka lose their fifth! Abbott finds the edge and a sharp low catch by Smith in the slips, he’s so damn good at those. After a quick check by the third umpire Liyanage is on his way, it was a clean catch. Time for a drink, Australia can enjoy their slurp of luminous liquid knowing that they are halfway to bowling the home side out.
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14th over: Sri Lanka 55-4 (Asalanka 11, Liyanage 11) Three slips in for Ellis and he keeps them innnerested by scudding past the edge of Liyanage. A late glide for two and a quick single make it three runs off the over.
This was very enjoyable:
Name a cricketer we haven't thought of for a while 🤔💭
— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) February 11, 2025
A fun topic we like to raise with the Aussie players each year.
Keep up with all the latest sport news and analysis on the ABC listen app: https://t.co/VP2GGbfgge pic.twitter.com/y5Mzt8Vydj
13th over: Sri Lanka 52-4 (Asalanka 11, Liyanage 8) Asalanka counter punches for Sri Lanka! A clip over midwicket for four is followed by a crunch through cover for another boundary. Abbott responds well by dragging his length back, might we see a change of tack from the home side, it’s not a bad option to try and put some pressure back on the Aussie bowlers. The danger being if they lose another couple of wickets then they are cooked.
12th over: Sri Lanka 43-4 (Asalanka 3, Liyanage 7) Ellis sends down a beauty to Asalanka, full on off stump and seaming away late. The bowler then shows his variety with a well executed slower ball that nearly outfoxes the batter. Ravi Bopara is lending his dulcet tones to the commentary box for this match. Any excuse to post a bit of this.
Ravi Bopara really is a wonderful cover-driver 😍pic.twitter.com/2GdIPZxY91
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) January 30, 2021
11th over: Sri Lanka 40-4 (Asalanka 3, Liyanage 5) Abbott bustles in, Errol Flynn tache hugging his top lip. Liyanage fences at a shorter ball that shoots past the edge. Five dots are followed by a plink into the off side for a single.
10th over: Sri Lanka 39-4 (Asalanka 3, Liyanage 4) Steve Smith shuffles his pack and brings on Nathan Ellis. He’s short and skiddy and beats Asalanka with his very first delivery – a beauty that nips away at the last. Keep ‘em there son. He does exactly that and starts with a maiden. Fair to say the Aussies have dominated the first ten overs in Colombo.
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9th over: Sri Lanka 39-4 (Asalanka 3, Liyanage 4) Sean Abbott into the attack to replace Spencer Johnson. Three slips and a gully in place. Asalanka gets off strike with a dab to third and Abbott wobbles one past Liyanage’s edge. A clip for two through midwicket closes out the over.
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8th over: Sri Lanka 36-4 (Asalanka 2, Liyanage 2) Hardie beats both Asalanka and Liyanage outside the off stump and then brings a couple of balls back to keep the lbw on their minds too. Just a single off the over, Sri Lanka hanging in there, just, at the minute.
7th over: Sri Lanka 35-4 (Asalanka 1, Liyanage 2) Janith Liyanage joins his captain in the middle and gets underway with a couple of guided singles past point. Steve Smith goes for the kill with three slips and a gully in place, he won’t mind seeing the Sri Lankan batter hanging his bat outside off stump like that.
WICKET! Kamindu Mendis c Fraser-McGurk b Johnson 5 (Sri Lanka 31-4)
Oh no! Kamindu Mendis plays a loose shot, clipping Johnson off his pads in the air and Fraser-McGurk dives at full stretch to pluck the catch! The home side are four down and in a whole lotta trouble.
Australia on fire with the new ball in Colombo! #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/1yGUWzDELJ
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 12, 2025
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6th over: Sri Lanka 30-3 (Kamindu 5, Asalanka 0) Sri Lanka’s captain arrives in the middle with his team teetering. Crikes! He nearly goes to an edge too as he fends Hardie just short of Sean Abbott in the slips. Australia all over Sri Lanka like the proverbial menswear garment.
WICKET! Kusal Mendis c Short b Hardie (Sri Lanka 30-3)
Gone Gone Gone! Kusal was living dangerously outside off-stump and eventually perishes by getting a thick edge off Hardie that is snaffled by Matt Short at first slip. Sri Lanka in all sorts.
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5th over: Sri Lanka 26-2 (Kusal 15, Kamindu 5) Shot! Kusal lofts Johnson down the ground for four and follows up with a nick between the cordon and gully for four more! Good bowling from Johnson who looks particularly threatening. Kusal clips a quick single and scurries off strike. Kamindu throws his hands at a ball on fourth stump and he gets a thick edge that flies past a diving gully and away for the third boundary of the over. Good intent from Sri Lanka, flash hard and all that.
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4th over: Sri Lanka 13-2 (Kusal 6, Kamindu 1) Hardie doesn’t have the same high pace as Johnson but he is nagging and accurate, he beats Kusal Mendis with one that nips and leaves the batter poking on the crease. A tidy over, just two singles off it.
3rd over: Sri Lanka 11-2 (Kusal 5, Kamindu 0) There are some ominous looking clouds over the Colombo cityscape which might be helping this white ball nibble about through the air. The forecast is set fair. Johnson gets a bit carried away in search of the magic ball and serves up a full bunger that is swatted back down the ground by Kusal Mendis. The recovery job starts here for the home side.
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2nd over: Sri Lanka 6-2 (Kusal 1, Kamindu 0) Kamindu Mendis joins his namesake Kusal in the middle with Sri Lanka in early strife.
WICKET! Fernando c Smith b Hardie 1 (Sri Lanka 6-2)
Two down inside two overs! Sri Lanka lose both openers as Fernando wafts at a length ball from Aaron Hardie and the edge flies to Steve Smith’s left at second slip, the skipper makes no mistake with the catch!
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There’s some more breaking news out of the Australian camp to go with Mitchell Starc’s withdrawal from the Champions Trophy.
It’s not nice news for Matt Kuhnemann:
Australia’s breakout spinner Matt Kuhnemann has been reported for a suspect bowling action during his starring role in Australia’s 2-0 series sweep of Sri Lanka.
Cricket Australia confirmed on Wednesday that International Cricket Council match officials cited Kuhnemann over his action after the second Test in Galle.
The left-arm spinner was the leading wicket-taker in Sri Lanka with 16 at an average of 17.18, after overcoming a thumb injury to play in the two-Test series, but will now have to prove the legality of his bowling action.
1st over: Sri Lanka 4-1 (Fernando 0, Kusal 0) Kusal Mendis joins Fernando in the middle, Johnson is up at 140kph and shaping the ball away. A leave from the new batter closes an eventful first over.
WICKET! Nissanka c Carey b Johnson 4 (Sri Lanka 4-1)
He has! A big scalp in the first over for Australia as the freewheeling Nissanka is sent back for an early bath. There was a thin edge that showed on the UltraEdge and Alex Carey got the gauntlets under it diving low to his right.
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Nissanka is batting well out of his crease and he opens his account with a flashing square drive for four! Johnson goes a touch fuller and pushes on across him, booming drive from the batter and we could have a wicket in the first over! Has Nissanka got a tickle on this?!
Avishka Fernando and Pathum Nissanka will open up for Sri Lanka. The hulking left-armer Spencer Johnson is at the top of his mark with the new ball. Play!
The players head out onto the field for the anthems, Australia’s younger than expected outfit are about to get their first trot out.
A changing of the guard?
Probably the first time in over a decade that Australia won’t have Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood leading the attack in an ICC event #ChampionsTrophy https://t.co/2emf9RYHR7
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 12, 2025
Sri Lanka win the toss and will bat first
Sunny skies in Colombo as the coin is tossed. Steve Smith doesn’t call correctly so his opposite number Charith Asalanka gets to choose what to do. It’s a dry pitch and he wants to have first use of it. “We want runs on the board”. Smith confirms he would have batted too and also that Travis Head, Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell won’t be gracing the turf today.
TEAMS:
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando
Australia: Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cooper Connolly, Steve Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
Charith Asalanka won the toss and elected to bat first. #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/iKYX56VaNS
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 12, 2025
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Preamble
Hello and welcome to the first of two ODIs between Sri Lanka and Australia. After the Aussies scooped the two Test matches in Galle last week it is over to Colombo for a brace of games in coloured clothing. The matches will serves as tune up and run out for Australia before they head to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
It’s not a rinse and repeat set of players for Australia, Steve Smith is set to captain after successfully helming the Test series and Jake-Fraser McGurk, Cooper Connolly, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Spencer Johnson and Tanveer Sangha are all names that have been added to the squad recently to cover for injury – in the cases of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh or as a result of a shock retirement – Marcus Stoinis having announced he has played his last ODI for his country. As this preamble is typed it is also noted that Mitchell Starc has opted out of these two games and the Champions trophy.
“We understand and respect Mitch’s decision,” Australian chair of selectors George Bailey said in a statement that landed a couple of hours ago.
“Mitch is deeply respected for his commitment to international cricket and the priority he places on performing for Australia.
“His well documented ability to play through pain and adversity, as well as forgoing opportunities in other parts of his career to put his country first should be applauded. His loss is of course a blow for the Champions Trophy campaign but does provide an opportunity to someone else to make a mark on the tournament.”
Lots to unpack and play for then for the visitors, let’s get into it.
Play starts at 10am local time, 3.30pm AEDT and 4.30am here in the UK.
