16/10/2023
16/10/2023
LUCKNOW, India, Oct 16, (AP): Five-time champions Australia secured their first win at the Cricket World Cup with a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka on Monday and almost 15 overs to spare.
Adam Zampa spun out Sri Lanka with 4-47 in eight overs as he helped trigger a Sri Lankan batting collapse. Cruising at 125-0 at one point, the 1996 champions crashed to 209 all out in 43.3 overs, losing all 10 wickets for just 84 runs. Openers Pathum Nissanka (61) and Kusal Perera (78) were the only significant scorers.
In reply, Australia rode on half-centuries from Josh Inglis and Mitch Marsh, as they reached 215-5 in 35.2 overs. Inglis top-scored for Australia with 58 runs off 59 balls, including five fours and a six.
After straight losses to host India and South Africa, Australia moved off the bottom of the 10-team table to eighth. They are level on two points with fifth-place England, Afghanistan and Bangladesh but trail those teams on net run-rate.
Sri Lanka are ninth after its seventh consecutive loss to Australia in World Cups, and a third straight loss in this edition.
Kusal Mendis called correctly as Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat. Mendis took over captaincy duties from Dasun Shanaka, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a thigh injury.
Sri Lanka have lost to South Africa and to Pakistan in high-scoring games.
The match started in Lucknow within hours of the International Olympic Committee voting in Mumbai to include cricket on its sports program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.