Published: May 26, 2017, 06:49 PM (IST)
Edited: May 26, 2017, 07:09 PM (IST)
In the first warm-up encounter of ICC Champions Trophy 2017, Sri Lanka posted a challenging score of 318 for 7 against Australia. Opting to field, Australia started well with their pacers restricting the opponents at 71 for 3. However, riding on Angelo Mathews‘ 95 and vital knocks from Chamara Kapugedra and Asela Gunaratne, Sri Lanka posted a challenging score against Australia on Friday. The Islanders would be pleased with their batting efforts as they stood their end, but will have to come hard against a tall batting line-up. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Australia (AUS) vs Sri Lanka (SL), warm-up match at The Oval
Niroshan Dickwella and Upul Tharanga started the proceedings. They looked good and added a 49-run stand, before Josh Hazlewood removed Tharanga for 13. Kusal Mendis came in at No. 3 but had a short stay in the middle with Moises Henriques dismissing him for 5. The experienced duo of Dinesh Chandimal and Mathews came in together at 71 for 3. Much was expected of the senior pros, but Chandimal departed for 17 after being clean bowled off James Pattinson.
Chamara Kapugedera lent valuable support to the skipper by adding a valiant 60-run stand for the fifth wicket. Just when both were looking to take the game forward, Kapugedera fell for 30, giving a return catch to Travis Head. Gunaratne, who slammed an impressive 46-ball 84 in the three-match T20Is against the same opponents early in 2017, continued his rich form against Australia and ended with 70 off 56 balls. His efforts took his side beyond 300 and it would be a big boost for them ahead of the marquee event.
Australia will like their batsmen to play freely and achieve the target in absence of Steven Smith.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka 318 for 7 in 50 overs (Niroshan Dickwella 41, Angelo Mathews 95, Asela Gunaratne 70; Moises Henriques 3 for 46, Josh Hazlewood 1 for 69) vs Australia.
