Australia finally got their first win of the World Cup, but only after surviving some nervy moments against Sri Lanka.
The five-time champions, who lost to India and South Africa in their opening two matches, were in another difficult situation when Sri Lanka reached 125-0.
But Sri Lanka fell apart, losing all 10 wickets for 84 runs to be bundled out for 209.
Even when faced with a modest target, Australia were 24-2, and had to be guided from trouble by maiden World Cup half-centuries from Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis, who made 52 and 58 respectively.
Pyrotechnics were added by Glenn Maxwell’s 31 not out from 21 balls, and Marcus Stoinis’ unbeaten 20 from just 10, sealing Australia’s victory with five wickets and almost 15 overs in hand.
The fluctuations of the contest were matched by drama off the field in Lucknow, where high winds dislodged signs from the roof.
Falling debris fell on to the pitch and seats, forcing spectators to the sheltered area at the back of the stands. The International Cricket Council said no one was hurt and the sparse crowd was able to move back closer to the field when the wind calmed.
Australia are now only two points off the top four places in the group table and next meet Pakistan in Bangalore on Friday. That match, along with contests against New Zealand and England, will go a long way to deciding their progress.
Sri Lanka, so far the only team in the competition to have suffered three defeats, play the Netherlands at the same ground on Saturday, knowing that another loss would probably send them out.
Australia finally up and running
Australia’s only World Cup defeat by Sri Lanka came in the famous 1996 final and there were periods in this game when a repeat was possible.
Following disappointing performances in their opening two matches, Australia were off the pace after losing the toss in Lucknow.
Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka added 125 for the first Sri Lanka wicket, taking advantage of some tame bowling and errors in the field.
Nissanka survived half-chances to wicketkeeper Inglis and the flying Marnus Labuschagne at mid-wicket. Perera could have been lbw to Maxwell’s off-spin but Australia did not review, perhaps reluctant after Mitchell Starc burned an awful review on Nissanka from the first ball of the match.
It took an excellent catch from David Warner on the leg-side boundary to remove Nissanka and get Australia firing. It was the first of two smart catches by Warner, who even helped the groundstaff with the covers when it rained.
Sri Lanka’s collapse was inexplicable. Nine wickets for 52 and six for 31. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa improved as the day went on to claim four wickets, captain Pat Cummins two and a direct-hit run-out.
The wind brought a dust storm at the end of the Sri Lanka innings, but the start of the Australia chase was hit by left-armer Dilshan Madushanka, who had a livid Warner and scoreless Steve Smith lbw in the same over. For Smith, it was a first duck in a World Cup match.
But Marsh, possibly playing for his place as Travis Head returns to fitness after a broken hand, was superb in powering the ball through the off side. He was cruising before coming back for a needless second and was run out by Dimuth Karunaratne’s accurate throw from the deep.
With 129 still needed, Inglis’ uncertain start did little to calm Australian jitters, but the gloveman born in Leeds grew into a stand of 77 with Labuschagne.
Labuschagne was on 40 when he miscued to mid-wicket to give Madushanka his third wicket. By then, though, the jeopardy had gone from the situation and Maxwell arrived to crash four fours and two sixes, while Stoinis ended it with a maximum. (BBC Sport)
