ICC World Cup 2019 Match 20
Australia Vs Sri Lanka played at Oval, London on 15 June 2019
Australia 334/7 (AJ Flinch 153, SPD Smith 73 G Maxwell 46, DM de Silva 2/40, I Udana 2/57) beat Sri Lanka 247 All Out ( FDM Karunaratne 97, MDKJ Perera 52, BKG Mendis 30, MA Starc 4/55, KW Richardson 3/47, PJ Cummins 2/38) by 87 Runs.
Player of the Match: AJ Flinch
DHAKA: Reigning Champions Australia’s HEXA mission gathered momentum with a resounding victory over Sri Lanka. Winning big by 87 runs Australia is now at the top of the table with 8 points from 4 wins in the five matches. Sri Lanka is at 5th position with 4 points from 5 matches. Two points from 2 rained out matches advantaged them over some other teams.
Sun has started peeping through the cloud as a very wet week of English Summer has hopefully come to an end. Reigning Champions HEXA mission has started getting momentum as their key batsmen are rediscovering their prolific forms and pace bowling battery have started firing in full cylinders. Oval witnessed a one sided episode as Australia batted superbly, bowled with a planned strategy and as usual fielded sharp. Sri Lanka which was lucky squeezing two points from two back to back rain ruined matches against Pakistan and Bangladesh looked pathetically mismatched with the superior skills of Australia.
The sky was overcast and Oval wicket looked green. Sri Lanka winning the toss put Australia to bat. Ausiie openers Flinch and Warner after a cautious start were on song. Especially Captain Flinch appeared dynamic and more aggressive of the two. Opening partnership raced to 80 by the 17th over when DS de Silva struck double blows removing Warner and Khawaja in quick succession. Smith and Flinch two main stays of Australian batting produced a match winning 173 runs in the 3rd wicket partnership batting Sri Lanka out of the match. Smith in his own special mode scored 73 with 7 fours and I six. Flinch was looking good for a double century scoring a punishing 153 smoking 15 fours and 5 sixes. Of the others Maxwell scored 48 in 25 deliveries. Australia cruised to 334/7 in their allotted overs. DM de Silva got 2/40 and Udana took 2/57.
Chasing 335 for an improbable win against a very strong Australian attack was out of reach by the young Sri Lankan team. Starc, Cummins, Richardson and Behrendorf. The only bright segment of Lankan innings was a bright opening partnership between Karunaratne and Perera putting together 115 runs in 15.3 overs. Once that partnership was broken Sri Lankans lost wickets at regular interval as young Lankans do not possess the quality and depth in their batting resources to challenge Australian quality attack.
Captain Karunaratne missed a well deserved century getting out at 97. Perera scored 52. Only other batsman showing some resolve was Mendis with his 30. Starc( 4/55), Richardson (3/47) and Cummins ( 2/38) had another sunny day at the wicket. Australia climbed to the top of the table and is looking assured for a berth among top four. Sri Lanka may start getting behind progressively from where they are now.
Australia may need giving Nathan Lyon few games before the business round starts as wickets would progressively get drier creating opportunities for quality finger spinners.
KANGAROOS have started looking in good shape for another long leap.
BDST: 1034 HRS, JUN 16, 2019
SI
