Maxwell helps Australia to thrilling win

Rex Clementine at Pallekele

Injury hit Australia put up a splendid show in the first ODI against Sri Lanka securing a thrilling two wicket win in Kandy on Tuesday with Glenn Maxwell smashing an entertaining half-century.

Maxwell batting at number seven rescued the Australia innings when he walked in at 189 for five with 93 runs required in 84 deliveries. The Victorian was unbeaten on 81 off 51 deliveries with six fours and six sixes. Australia required 12 runs off the last two overs and Maxwell ensured his side secured the win with nine balls to spare hitting Dushmantha Chameera for back-to-back sixes.

Sri Lanka’s spinners had been on the money, particularly leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who picked up four wickets, but Maxwell toyed with the bowling clearing the boundary with no trouble at all. His excellent running between the wickets put pressure on Sri Lankan fielders. With him on the rampage pulling and reverse sweeping at will, the bowlers were under pressure and started erring with their lengths.

Maxwell was involved in two crucial partnerships with the lower order to see Australia over the line. He had been given out leg before wicket to Chamika Karunaratne on ten but successfully overturned the decision after reviewing. From thereon, there was no stopping him as he brought up his 23rd ODI half-century with a reverse hit for four.

Australia have been forced to scrape the bottom of the barrel due to injuries. Mitchell Marsh (finger) and Mitchell Starc (calf) are not available for selection with injuries while Kane Richardson (hamstring) and Sean Abbott (finger) have returned home. The victory will cheer up the tourists with Starc and Marsh expected to be available for Colombo leg of Australia series.

When Sri Lanka set a target of 301, they were favourites to win as no team had chased that many at the venue. However, Australia’s target was revised and even if not, given the mood Maxwell was in, nothing seem to be impossible.

Three half-centuries enabled Sri Lanka to get to their total of 300. Openers Pathum Nissanka (56) and Danushka Gunathilaka (55) added 115 runs for the first wicket before being dismissed in quick succession.

Kusal Mendis then anchored the innings making an unbeaten 86 that came off 87 deliveries with eight fours and a six. They lost three wickets for 19 runs as Australia fought back but a 77-run stand between Mendis and Charith Asalanka (37) helped them to come out of the slump.

Hasaranga did much damage towards the end smashing 37 off 19 balls. He had scored 22 runs including four boundaries off the penultimate over of the innings bowled by Jhye Richardson.