LONDON – Australia thrashed Sri Lanka by 87 runs in the World Cup 2019 group stage match at the Oval on Saturday.
Australia grabbed the top slot on the point table with eight points, while Sri Lanka remains at fifth place with four.
Chasing a target of 335, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 247, despite a 115-run opening stand between Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Perera.
Aaron Finch scored 153 off 132 balls, which was part of a 173-run stand between him and Steve Smith (73 off 59) for the third wicket.
Sri Lanka made a strong start to the chase with captain Karunaratne and Kusal pegging back the Australian pacers and Maxwell. Starc, however, got the breakthrough by taking Kusal’s middle stump while the latter was on 52 off 36 balls. Sri Lanka never managed to get a significant partnership after that.
Lahiru Thirimanne, who replaced Kusal, became Jason Behrendorff’s first World Cup wicket and Karunaratne was dismissed on 97 off 109 by Kane Richardson.
Australia 334/7, Aaron Finch 153 (132), Steve Smith 73 (59), Dananjaya De Silva 2/40. Sri Lanka 247, Dimuth Karunaratne 97 (108), Kusal Perera 52 (36), Mitchell Starc 4/55
Teams:
Australia (Playing XI): Aaron Finch(c), David Warner, Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Jason Behrendorff
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Dimuth Karunaratne(c), Kusal Perera(w), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Isuru Udana, Milinda Siriwardana, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep
