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Sri Lanka stunned Australia in the first ODI of a two-match series at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Defending a small target of 215 runs, Sri Lanka bowled Australia out for 164 runs to take an unassailable lead of 1-0 in the series. For the hosts, skipper Charith Asalanka turned out to be the top scorer with 127 runs with bat. After that, Maheesh Theekshana took four scalps with the ball as Sri Lanka defeated Australia by 49 runs in the first ODI.
Batting first, Sri Lanka lost five wickets for just 55 runs in 14.3 overs. After that, Charith Asalanka and Dunith Wellalage took charge of the innings as the duo put up a partnership of 67 runs for the sixth wicket. Wellalage got out after scoring 30(34) runs with two fours and a six. On the other hand, Asalanka played a captain’s knock of 127(126) runs hitting 14 fours and five sixes as Sri Lanka went past 200 runs despite a poor start.
Maheesh Theekshana scalps 4 wickets as Sri Lanka successfully defend 214 runs vs Australia
Batting first, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 214 runs in 46 overs. For Australia, Sean Abbott took three wickets, Spencer Johnson, Aaron Hardie, and Nathan Ellis scalped two wickets each while Matt Short put one in his bag. Defending a low target, Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana shone with the figures of 4/40 in his spell of 9.4 overs.
Australia kept losing wickets while chasing a winning target and were bowled out for 165 runs in 33.5 overs. Alex Carey was top scorer with 41(38) runs hitting five fours and a six while Aaron Hardie contributed with 32(37) runs. Apart from Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando and Dunith Wellalage took two wickets each while Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka scalped a wicket each.
