Sri Lanka vs Australia Match Highlights & Results

Right then, Sri Lanka have taken the lead in the series, and this win will certainly boost their confidence heading into the next game. As for Australia, while they will want to not dwell too much on this defeat, they will undoubtedly take valuable learnings as they continue their preparations for the Champions Trophy. The second and final game of the ODI series will take place here at the same venue on Friday, 14th February. It will be another day game, with the first ball set to be bowled at 4.30 am GMT. For now, you can switch tabs and catch the action from the other two ODI games on this blockbuster Wednesday. In Ahmedabad, riding on a century from Shubman Gill, India have posted 356 in the third ODI against England. Meanwhile, over in Karachi, South Africa are well-placed to post a daunting total against Pakistan in what is a virtual semi-final, with the winner set to take on New Zealand in the tri-series final. It's all shaping up to be an exciting day of cricket. See you there. Cheers!

The captain of Sri Lanka, Charith Asalanka is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant knock of 127 runs off 126 balls. He says that this was the best knock of his ODI career. Adds that he wanted to take the innings deep. Mentions that the way Dunith Wellalage started the innings, set the platform for him and a lot of credit should go to him. Shares that it was a tricky wicket to bat and he was confident at the halfway mark that his bowlers could defend this total. Further says that getting wickets early with the new ball was key and he is glad that they managed to do that.

Steven Smith, the captain of Australia thinks that the toss was not that important. Says that Charith Asalanka was the difference between the two teams, and appreciates him for batting really well. Mentions that their bowlers did a good job but the batters could not get going. Mentions the seamers getting that movement was good to see and also states that there was not much turn early on and the ball was skidding off the deck. On being asked about the Champions Trophy, he says they are keeping the big tournament in mind and preparing accordingly. Concludes by saying they were outplayed and will come back stronger in the second ODI.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Dunith Wellalage is up for a quick chat. He says that this performance and win is special just because it came against an Aussie side. Adds that his teammates gave him support. Mentions that he had a chat with the coach Sanath Jayasuriya before going into bat and the message from him was to support the captain. Further mentions that the wicket was really good and he was trying to vary pace a bit. Concludes by saying that this win is the most memorable one so far in his ODI career.

Earlier in the game, after opting to bat, Sri Lanka were rocked early. The Aussie pacers made the most of the conditions, reducing the home side to 55/5, with the batters struggling with their footwork. Charith Asalanka and Dunith Wellalage rallied, but once that stand was broken, Charith was left fighting a lone battle. He found a solid ally in Eshan Malinga, who contributed just 1 in their 79-run stand but showed great defensive resilience. Asalanka's career-best ODI knock of 127 helped Sri Lanka recover, reaching 214 after being at a perilous 135/8.

For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando provided them with early inroads, but as expected, the Sri Lankan spinners took control during the middle phase. Maheesh Theekshana was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 4 for 40 in 9.5 overs, including a maiden. Dunith Wellalage chipped in with a couple of wickets to go with his 30-run knock earlier in the day. Wanindu Hasaranga struggled to get his radar right, much like his leg-spinner counterpart in Australia, Adam Zampa.

Australia endured a similarly tough start as Sri Lanka, with their batters not helping their cause through poor shot selection. Asitha Fernando did the early damage, and Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage combined to leave the tourists reeling at 31/4. Alex Carey and Marnus Labuschagne then stitched together a recovery, with Carey taking the aggressive route. However, both Marnus and Carey fell in quick succession, leaving the lower order with too much to do. Aaron Hardie kept the flame of the chase alive, but once he perished, the fate was pretty much sealed.

Sri Lanka go 1-0 up with a fighting performance! Given their horror start at 55/5, not many would have backed them to come out victorious, let alone by a 49-run margin. However, Charith Asalanka’s heroic century gave them something to bowl at, and the bowlers followed up with a spirited display. As for Australia, they would have gladly accepted a target of 215 at the start of the day, but their lack of application and impatience at the crease proved costly. While the wicket did slow down in the second innings, batting was still very much possible with the right approach.

Maheesh Theekshana to Spencer Johnson, OUT! lbw b Maheesh Theekshana.OUT! LBW! A huge shout for LBW, but not given by the umpire. Charith Asalanka signals the 'T' and takes the review to challenge the on-field decision. Maheesh Theekshana dishes out a fuller-length delivery, on middle and leg. It lands and then turns a shy bit into the batter, skidding through quickly. Spencer Johnson is a bit late to bring his bat through the line and misses as his bat hits the back pad. The ball goes on to clip his back pad. Ball Tracking shows that the ball is hitting the leg stump on the projection. Maheesh Theekshana finishes with a four-fer. SRI LANKA SUCCESSFULLY DEFEND THEIR TOTAL OF 214, AND WIN BY 49 RUNS!

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, 1 run.Too full and around off, Zampa tries to hoick it across but inside edges past the stumps for a single at deep fine.

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, No run.Full, on middle, Zampa defends it out to the off side.

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, No run.Flat, a yard behind fuller length, on off, Adam Zampa blocks it straight back to the bowler.

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, No run.Drags the length on middle, stabbed to the leg side.

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, Wide!WIDE! Another one drifting down leg, fuller in length, Zampa tries to whip it across but misses. Wide given again!

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, Wide!WIDE! Down leg on a length, Zampa gets inside the line and the umpire calls it Wide.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Spencer Johnson, No run.A slip and a leg slip in position for Johnson! Flat, short and on the pads, Spencer Johnson hangs back and goes to pull but hits it off the bottom edge near the strip to the leg side.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Adam Zampa, 1 run.Full, on the pads, Adam Zampa chips it over to widish long on for a single.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Adam Zampa, No run.Slow, full, on middle, blocked straight back to the bowler.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Adam Zampa, Four!FOUR! Wow, Zampa has played a few pleasing strokes! Looped up, fuller and on off, Adam Zampa skips down the track and lofts it over mid off for a boundary.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Adam Zampa, No run.Full and turning away from off, Adam Zampa backs away to punch it to the off side, but chops it on the surface in front.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Adam Zampa, 2 runs.Googly, full and on middle, Adam Zampa leans out with a huge forward stride and works it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of quick runs.

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, 1 run.On middle and full, Zampa pushes it down to the left of mid on and takes a single. A wayward throw from the fielder to the keeper's end and the ball goes towards the short fine region where it is backed up. Zampa wants to keep strike with him and does not take the second.

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, No run.Full, at off, blocked out.

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, No run.A flat carrom ball, on middle and leg, Adam Zampa chips it across in the air, but it dips in front of Wanindu Hasaranga at short mid-wicket on the bounce.

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, Four!FOUR! Oh, what a lovely shot! Overpitched on off, almost a half-volley, Adam Zampa takes his front foot out and drives it inside-out through covers for a glorious boundary.

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, No run.Full, around off, driven to mid off.

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, 5 Wides!FIVE WIDES! Oh, that's gone past everyone! Sprayed down leg on a fuller length, Adam Zampa tries to slog it but misses as the ball turns down leg. The keeper Kusal Mendis too, fails to collect the ball and it races down to deep fine fence.

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, No run.Attacks the stumps, on middle, blocked off the back foot to mid on.

Spencer Johnson is the last batter.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Aaron Hardie, OUT! lbw b Wanindu Hasaranga.OUT! LBW! Finally, something for Hasaranga in this match, as he dismisses the set batter in Hardie. A leg break on offer from Hasaranga, full and on the stumps, Aaron Hardie premeditates and sits down to sweep it away but misses to connect and the ball pings on the front pad. A confident shout for LBW and the umpire raises his finger instantly. Aaron Hardie is not happy with himself at all but still goes for a review. Nothing on UltraEdge and the Ball Tracking shows Hardie being trapped plumb on middle. Sri Lanka are just a solitary wicket away now.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Adam Zampa, 1 run.At 82 kph, on a fuller length and middle, Adam Zampa whips it past mid-wicket for a single.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Adam Zampa, No run.Flighted leg-break, around off, Adam Zampa leans on it and drives it straight to mid off.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Aaron Hardie, 1 run.A wrong'un, flat, full, on middle and leg, tucked across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Adam Zampa, 1 run.Slower through the air at just 74 kph, on the pads, on a length, Adam Zampa nudges it safely to deep backward square leg for a single.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Aaron Hardie, 1 run.Lands it outside off on a length, a googly on offer, Hardie hangs back and punches it to deep extra cover for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, 2 runs.Pitched fuller around off, driven to deep cover for a quick couple of runs. Australia now need 74 runs in 120 balls remaining with 2 wickets in hand.

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, No run.Quicker and flatter, fuller and on off, Adam Zampa defends it out to the off side.

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, No run.Nice and full, on off, Adam Zampa blocks it out to the bowler.

Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Hardie, 1 run.Full, on middle, Hardie brings his bat ahead of the pads and pushes it gently down to long on for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Hardie, 2 runs.Flat again, outside off on a length, Aaron Hardie cuts it off the back foot and beats the diving backward point fielder to his right for a couple of runs.

Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Hardie, No run.Quicker at 96 kph, full around off, Aaron Hardie leans on and defends it out safely.

DRINKS BREAK! Sri Lanka find themselves firmly in control, with Australia needing 79 runs and only two wickets in hand. The tourists’ hopes now rest on Aaron Hardie to pull off something special. Australia will be disappointed with their position at this stage, especially considering that the pitch hasn’t been a rank turner or overly challenging. Instead, it has been a case of their batters lacking application, allowing Sri Lanka to dictate terms.

Dunith Wellalage to Adam Zampa, No run.Length ball outside off. Zampa keeps it out to point.

Dunith Wellalage to Aaron Hardie, 1 run.Tossed up, on off, Hardie creates room and punches it wide of cover for a single.

Dunith Wellalage to Adam Zampa, 1 run.DROPPED! Charith Asalanka, the skipper shells a catch now. Can be called a regulation catch but Asalanka reacted a bit late to it and it went to his wrong side. Pitched around off, turning away from a fuller length, Adam Zampa drives at it but gets a thick outside edge and it goes to the left of Charith Asalanka at the first slip. He is a bit late to react, gets his left hand to the ball, but parries it to the short fine region. One run taken.

Dunith Wellalage to Aaron Hardie, 2 Wides!Drifting down leg, full in length, Hardie misses to sweep it away and the keeper too, fails to collect it behind the wickets. The ball runs down to the short fine region. They cross.

Dunith Wellalage to Aaron Hardie, No run.Grip and turn! On a length, on middle, turning away off the pitch. Aaron Hardie looks to tuck it across but gets a leading edge to the cover region.

Dunith Wellalage to Adam Zampa, 1 run.A silly point comes in place for Zampa now! Pitched fuller on off, Adam Zampa takes a huge stride out and drives it down to long off for a single.

Dunith Wellalage to Aaron Hardie, 1 run.An in-drifter, on middle and leg, Aaron Hardie tucks behind square to the leg side for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, No run.A carrom ball, on a dragged length, around off, kept out safely by Zampa.

Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Hardie, 1 run.Dishes out full and on middle and leg, Aaron Hardie works it past mid-wicket for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, 1 run.Overpitched, on middle, drilled down straight by Zampa for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Adam Zampa, No run.Nagging length, on off, Adam Zampa stands tall and blocks it out.

Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Hardie, 1 run.Drag-down on middle, Aaron Hardie tucks it across to deep square leg for a single. Hardie wants the second but Kamindu Mendis throws it flat and quick to the keeper from the deep to restrict it to a single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Hardie, No run.Flat, full, on the pads, Aaron Hardie flicks it to mid-wicket.

Dunith Wellalage to Adam Zampa, No run.Nice and full on the stumps, blocked to the right of the bowler by Zampa.

Dunith Wellalage to Adam Zampa, No run.Two slips in place now. Around the stumps, tossed up, fuller on off, Adam Zampa lunges forward and pushes it back to the bowler.

Adam Zampa walks out at number 10.

Dunith Wellalage to Nathan Ellis, OUT! b Dunith Wellalage.OUT! BOWLED'EM! Nathan Ellis tries to be inventive and pays the price! This one is fired in full and straight on middle from around the wicket. Nathan Ellis lunges forward to reverse sweep it towards deep third but completely misses it and the ball goes on to dismantle the leg stump. The eighth one down now! Australia are now 127 for 8.

Dunith Wellalage to Nathan Ellis, No run.Goes fuller and on off stump. Nathan Ellis lunges forward to defend.

Dunith Wellalage to Nathan Ellis, No run.On a good length, on middle. Nathan Ellis lunges forward to defend it right back.

Dunith Wellalage to Aaron Hardie, 1 run.Fired in full and on middle. Aaron Hardie tucks it towards square leg for a single.

Nathan Ellis is the new batter in at number 9.

Maheesh Theekshana to Sean Abbott, OUT! c & b Maheesh Theekshana.OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Maheesh Theekshana's carrom ball does the trick! This one is bowled full and on the middle stump. Sean Abbott lunges forward to play at it, looking to work it away on the leg side with a closed bat face. Closes the bat face early and it loops up off a leading edge, back towards Maheesh Theekshana at a comfortable height. Seven down for Australia now!

Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Hardie, 1 run.On a good length, on middle. Aaron Hardie tucks it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Hardie, No run.Beaten! Goes full and just outside off, turns away sharply. Aaron Hardie plays at it from inside his crease with just his hands as the ball zips past the outside edge.

Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Hardie, No run.Slower one outside off. Aaron Hardie leans on to drive it back to the bowler.

Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Hardie, No run.Fuller and on off stump. Aaron Hardie stays inside and gets his bat down in time to keep it out.

Maheesh Theekshana to Aaron Hardie, Four!FOUR! Streaky that but Australia will take it. Full and outside off, turns away just that bit. It takes the thick outside edge of the bat of Aaron Hardie as he looks to play with just his hands as it races towards the fence for a boundary.

Dunith Wellalage to Sean Abbott, No run.Fired in full and on leg stump, goes straight on. Sean Abbott goes back to play a full ball. It keeps low and thuds onto the shin. There's a slight appeal but probably going down leg.

Dunith Wellalage to Sean Abbott, Four!FOUR! Inside edge and four! This one is fired in full and on middle. Sean Abbott rocks back to cut but it takes the inside edge and goes past the left glove of the keeper as it races towards the deep fine leg fence for a boundary.

Dunith Wellalage to Sean Abbott, No run.Slightly overpitched on middle stump. Sean Abbott digs it out towards mid on.

Dunith Wellalage to Sean Abbott, No run.Full and on middle. Sean Abbott plays it back towards the bowler.

Dunith Wellalage to Aaron Hardie, 1 run.Fired in on leg stump. Aaron Hardie flicks it off his legs for a single.

Dunith Wellalage to Sean Abbott, 1 run.Misfield! Goes full and outside off, turns away. Sean Abbott rocks back to slap it straight towards cover, who misfields it and parries it further and that lets the batters run through for a single.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Aaron Hardie, No run.Fuller and on leg stump, turning away. Aaron Hardie stands tall to tuck it towards square leg.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Aaron Hardie, Four!FOUR! SWEPT AWAY! Floated up on middle stump. Aaron Hardie gets his front leg out of the way and slogs it towards cow corner fence for a boundary.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Aaron Hardie, No run.Chance? No. Goes off the pads. Goes full and on leg stump. Aaron Hardie looks to sweep but beats the inside edge and wears it on the back pads. Loops up towards the short leg region.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Aaron Hardie, 2 runs.Swept again! On a good length and on middle stump. Aaron Hardie lunges across to sweep it away towards deep backward square leg for a brace.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Sean Abbott, 1 run.Fuller on middle stump. Sean Abbott sweeps it away towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Sean Abbott, No run.Full and outside off. Sean Abbott pushes it towards mid off.

Dunith Wellalage to Aaron Hardie, Four!FOUR! STREAKY BUT THE BATTER WILL TAKE IT! Fired in full and outside off. Aaron Hardie shuffles towards the leg side to give himself room, throws his bat at it and the ball goes off the outer half of the bat to deep third for a boundary.

Dunith Wellalage to Aaron Hardie, No run.Full and on off. Aaron Hardie lunges forward to defend it out.

Dunith Wellalage to Sean Abbott, 1 run.Full and outside off. Sean Abbott rocks back to cut it towards deep point for a single.

Dunith Wellalage to Sean Abbott, No run.Almost another chance. Full and on middle. Sean Abbott prods at it as it loops up back to the bowler. Gets beaten in the air.

Dunith Wellalage to Sean Abbott, No run.On a good length outside off. Sean Abbott rocks back to cut but mistimes it to the off side.

Dunith Wellalage to Sean Abbott, No run.Slightly shorter on middle. Sean Abbott pulls it towards mid-wicket. Brilliant effort there to stop that one.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Aaron Hardie, No run.DROPPED AT FIRST SLIP! Goes full and outside off, turns away. Aaron Hardie makes some room to punch it away but instead takes the outside edge and goes towards first slip at a decent pace. It goes in and out. Pathum Nissanka the culprit there!

Wanindu Hasaranga to Aaron Hardie, 2 runs.Slower on leg stump. Aaron Hardie tucks it towards deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Aaron Hardie, No run.Full and on middle. Aaron Hardie pushes it back towards the bowler off the full face of the bat.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Sean Abbott, 1 run.Fuller and on off stump. Sean Abbott drives it inside out towards long off for a single.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Aaron Hardie, 1 run.Overpitched on leg stump. Aaron Hardie flicks it off his legs towards fine leg for a single.

Wanindu Hasaranga to Sean Abbott, 1 run.Fuller and on leg stump, looking to turn away. Sean Abbott leans on to work it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Dunith Wellalage to Aaron Hardie, 2 runs.Slower one on middle, goes straight on. Aaron Hardie shuffles outside leg stump to make room and goes down on one knee to sweep it all along the ground towards long leg for a brace. Janith Liyanage runs and puts in the slide to keep the batters down to a couple.

Dunith Wellalage to Aaron Hardie, No run.Full and on middle. Aaron Hardie pushes it back towards the bowler.

Dunith Wellalage to Aaron Hardie, No run.On a good length, outside off. Aaron Hardie punches it with the spin towards cover.

Dunith Wellalage to Aaron Hardie, No run.Beaten! Slowed down outside off, turns away sharply. Aaron Hardie prods at it as it zips past the outside edge.

Dunith Wellalage to Sean Abbott, 1 run.Fired in full and on middle, goes straight on. Sean Abbott rocks back to tuck it away towards square leg for a single.

Dunith Wellalage to Sean Abbott, No run.Full and outside off. Sean Abbott leans on to push it towards cover.