AUS vs SL 1st ODI, SL vs AUS 2022

11:30 PM IST | Ovaise: The big show shines and single-handedly takes Australia past the finishing line, Australia have won the game with 2 wickets (DLS METHOD)

Let’s have a recap, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to field first on a dry-looking surface. Danushka Gunathilika and Pathum Nissanka walked in to open the batting for Lanka and took them off to a flyer. They had come out with an aggressive intent and were severe on anything short and lose. Josh Hazlewood opened the bowling from one end and it was surprising to see Glenn Maxwell opening from the other, Cummings and Jhye Richardson were quickly bought into the attack when but they too couldn’t manage to get a wick as the Lankan openers looked quite solid out in the middle. Both the openers got to their respective fifties and it was smooth sailing for the hosts.

On the 4^th delivery of the 20^th over, Sri Lanka lost their 1^st wicket to a run-out, and Australia pounced on them by picking up 2 more wickets, at this point, the host was looking on the verge of a collapse but Asalanka and Kusal Mendis stitched up a magnificent partnership and took Sri Lanka past the 200 runs mark. An Excellent platform was set and Sri Lanka did well to finish with 300 in the end. Mendis ended with a brilliant 86 or 87 balls. 

The pitch had tried down when Australia came out to bat, the visitors got off to a terrible start losing David Warner on the first ball of the 2^nd over. Aaron Finch and Steven Smith steadies the ship and slowly started accelerating, Finch was dismissed by Hasaranga in the 13^th over before rain interrupted play for over 2 hours and the game was reduced to 44 overs a side. Steve and Marnus put up a valuable partnership and took Australia past the 100-run mark but in trying to accelerate, Marnus lost his wicket. At this point, Australia were 126-3 in 21.4 over. Marcus Stoinis joined Steve Smith in the middle and the Sri Lankans had tightened the screws and were making it very difficult for the batter out in the middle. Smith was dismissed by the debutant, who bowled an excellent arm ball and knocked over the stumps. Stonis was taking it on and playing his shots but he played one too many and got dismissed by an excellent googly by Hasaranga. 

Glen Maxwell and Alex Carey were watchful at first, saw off the spinner's threat and shifted a gear in around the 34^th over, looked like the momentum was shifting towards the visitors but Hasarange struck in his last over and got Lanka back in the game big time. The debutant also chipped in with a crucial wicket but Maxwell singly handly took Austalia to the finishing line with a magnificent 80 of 51 balls.  The big show has a licking towards Sri Lankan grounds, he has a magnificent recond here in Sri Lanka.