Asalanka heroics power SL to 49-run win over Australia

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka pulled off a stunning comeback against world champions Australia to clinch a 49-run victory in the first one-day international on Wednesday after a century by captain Charith Asalanka. Defending a modest target of 215, Sri Lanka bowled out the visitors for 165 inside 34 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Asalanka smashed a career-best 127 before chipping in with the crucial wicket of Alex Carey, while Maheesh Theekshana took 4-40 to help scuttle Australia´s chase. “Really pleased with the knock,” Asalanka said. “It wasn´t easy batting out there... Had to settle in and then batting with the tail had to take a few risks, and glad it all paid off.” Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka found themselves in dire straits at 133-8 in the 33rd over, with Australia´s four-pronged pace attack running riot.

Asalanka´s strike rate was just shy of a run a ball and included 14 fours and five sixes. His ninth-wicket stand with Eshan Malinga was a stadium record of 79, even though the tailender made just a solitary run from 26 balls. “He hung in there and all we wanted to do was to take the game as deep as possible,” Asalanka said. “If not for that partnership we wouldn´t have got over the line.” Asalanka refused to throw in the towel and was last man out when he was deceived by a cleverly disguised slower delivery from Sean Abbott (3-61).