Half-centuries from Aaron Finch and skipper Steve Smith helped Australia pull off a tricky chase to defeat a resilient Sri Lanka by three wickets in the first one-day international in Colombo on Sunday.
Australia, who suffered their first series whitewash against the hosts in the three Tests, chased down 228 in 46.5 overs at the R. Premadasa Stadium to lead the five-match ODI series 1-0.
Pacers James Faulkner and Mitchell Starc, who became the fastest to reach 100 wickets in his 52nd match, also played their part with seven wickets between them after Australia elected to bowl first.
Opener Finch, who scored a quickfire 56, gave Australia a brisk start despite the early wicket of David Warner, who was out for eight after a scratchy 17-ball stay at the crease.
Finch took on the Sri Lankan bowlers with ease in the first 10 overs of the mandatory powerplay as he regularly cleared the infield to notch up seven boundaries and two sixes during his 46-ball knock.
Scoreboard
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Sri Lanka Innings
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K. Perera b Starc 1
T. Dilshan c Smith b Henriques 22
K. Mendis c Head b Faulkner 67
D. Chandimal not out 80
A. Mathews c Head b Faulkner 0
D. de Silva c Bailey b Starc 2
M. Siriwardana c Finch b Starc 19
T. Perera c Wade b Faulkner 21
D. Perera c Hazlewood b Faulkner 10
A. Aponso not out 2
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Extras: (b-1 w-2) 3
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Total: (for 8 wkts, 50 overs) 227
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Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-45, 3-124, 4-124, 5-132, 6-173, 7-209, 8-224
Did not bat: L. Sandakan
Bowling: M. Starc 10-1-32-3(w-2); J. Hazlewood 10-0-56-0; J. Faulkner 10-1-38-4; M. Henriques 9-0-48-1; A. Zampa 7-0-34-0; T. Head 4-0-18-0
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Australia Innings
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D. Warner c K. Perera b T. Perera 8
A. Finch c Mathews b Aponso 56
S. Smith c sub b D. Perera 58
M. Wade c Dilshan b Sandakan 26
G. Bailey c Sandakan b D. Perera 39
M. Henriques c sub b Sandakan 6
T. Head st K. Perera b D. Perera 10
J. Faulkner not out 5
M. Starc not out 5
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Extras: (b-2 lb-1 w-12) 15
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Total: (for 7 wkts, 46.5 overs) 228
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Fall of wickets: 1-40, 2-79, 3-128, 4-190, 5-202, 6-216, 7-222
Did not bat: A. Zampa, J. Hazlewood
Bowling: A. Mathews 7-0-33-0(w-1); T. Dilshan 3.5-0-25-0(w-1); T. Perera 5-1-25-1; A. Aponso 10-1-27-1(w-3); M. Siriwardana 6-0-34-0; D. Perera 10-0-48-3(w-5); L. Sandakan 5-0-33-2(w-2)
Umpire: Aleem Dar and Ranmore Martinesz
TV umpire: Michael Gough
Match referee: Javagal Srinath
Result: Australia won by 3 wickets.
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