Follow UsAfter back-to-back losses to kick-off their campaign, Australia have finally woken up in this World Cup. The five-time champions handed a third straight defeat to Sri Lanka, beating them by five wickets. They chased down an underpar target 210 with 88 balls to spare.
Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat. They had a great start with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera vindicating the call. The duo added 125 runs for the opening wicket. The Australian skipper, Cummins broke the opening stand in the 22nd over with the wicket of Nissanka. Thereon, Sri Lanka collapsed to be bowled out for 209. Sri Lanka lost 10 wickets in the collapse for 84 runs.
Adam Zampa snapped 4/47 in eight overs, dismissing Kusal Perera and Sadeera Samarawickrama in Sri Lanka’s middle-order. The leg-spinner was adjudged the player-of-the-match for his spell.
Despite being on the verge of a five-wicket haul, Zampa didn’t complete his spell. The 31-year old went off the field after his eighth over and was seen removing an orthopedic belt from his back before heading into the dressing room.
“I wasn't feeling great because I had a bit of a back spasm. Was playing through it the last couple of days,” Zampa said after the game talking about his back.
This was Zampa’s first impactful performance after a series of dull games. The leg-spinner had picked only seven wickets in his last six games, while conceding runs at an economy of 7.4. In the World Cup so far, Zampa had figures of 1/70 against South Africa and 0/53 against India.
“Personally, not at my best and last game particularly felt I could have been doing better,” Zampa said about his performance.
“My job in this team is to take wickets in the middle order. Didn’t quite do that last game and put the pressure on the death bowlers. Today, I’ve been feeling better, but nice to come out on the winning side today.
Took a while to get into the game, just got to keep that wicket taking attitude going, doesn’t matter if I leak some runs.” the leg-spinner explained.
An injury scar for Zampa could be a big problem for Australia. He has been the leader of Australia’s spin attack for several years. Moreover, he is the only specialist spinner in Australia’s squad.
“I think it was the captain’s decision to get the off spinner against the lefties, and my back was also pretty sore,” Zampa said further about not completing a 10-over spell today.
Sri Lanka’s total of 209 was underpar, even more so after the start they got. Both captains, Cummins and Kusal Mendis stepping in for Dasun Shanaka, felt 300 was the par score on this wicket.
Sri Lanka had a sniff when Pramod Madushanka’s opening spell restricted Australia to 24/2 at one stage. However, half-centuries from Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis saw Australia through the finish line.
Australia will now play Pakistan on October 20 in Bengaluru. Sri Lanka, still looking for the first win of their campaign, will take on the Netherlands in Lucknow on October 21.