As it was expected, Australia beat Sri Lanka the way comfortably by 85 runs.
After winning the toss Sri Lanka, surprisingly opted to bowl first on a batting friendly wicket. Finch and Warner have started belting the bowlers from the very first ball. Finch was mainly in a mood to smash everything coming in on his way. The pair added 80 runs for the first wicket before losing Warner in the 16th over. Soon they lost Khawaja, but then the inform batsman, Steve Smith came out to bat. Finch and Smith added 173 runs for the 3rd wicket. Finch reached his hundred with a six, and he didn’t stop there. He went on to make 150 in the innings, third highest World Cup score for Australia.
Maxwell did some firework with the bat, in the end, smashed 22 runs in an over, but Lankan bowlers made a brilliant comeback. At one time the project score was 350+, but bowlers did a great job in restricting them under 340.
Australian Innings
What a day for #AaronFinch!
The Aussie skipper blasted 153 from 132 balls to help guide his country to victory. Watch all of Australia's top shots here ?⤵ #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/TxQVW4wHFj
— ICC (@ICC) June 15, 2019
For a while, it looked like the chase was well and truly on! A superb 97 by Dimuth Karunaratne helped Sri Lanka to a quick start. The openers added 115 runs in just 15.3 overs, but once Perera (52 off 36) got out, the match turned into Australia’s favour. The wickets fell on regular intervals. Lanka bowled for just 247 runs in 45.5 overs.
Sri Lankan Innings (Fall of Wickets)
But the defending world champs were too strong on the day. Mitchell Starc took four as the Aussies bowled Sri Lanka out for 247.
Watch the wickets here ?⤵#CmonAussie #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/h4HyD3Qejx
— ICC (@ICC) June 15, 2019
STATS
- Finch became only the third Australian to 150 or more runs in World Cup innings. Warner (in 2015) and Hayden (in 2007) have also scored 150+ in World Cup.
- Starc has now 35 wickets in the World Cup, only Mcgrath (71) has taken more wickets in for Australia in World Cup.
- Malinga has 47 wickets in the World Cup, only McGrath (71), Murali (68), Akram (55) and Vaas (49) have more wickets than Malinga in the World Cup.
