Australia on Tuesday defeated Sri Lanka by two wickets in a rain-hit first ODI in Pallekele. Chasing a target of 301, Australia were 72 for two at one stage before rain had interrupted proceedings.
The play resumed with an improvised target of 282 runs in 44 overs, but Australia chased it down with nine balls to spare, thanks fifties from Glenn Maxwell and Steve Smith. Maxwell top-scored with an unbeaten 80 while Smith returned to form with a fine 53 off 60 deliveries.
Earlier, Wicketkeeper Kushal Mendis anchored Sri Lanka’s batting performance to help their team reach 300-7 against Australia in Tuesday’s first one-day international. Mendis scored an unbeaten 86 off 87 balls, while openers Danushka Gunathilaka and Pathum Nissanka both struck half centuries in their opening stand of 115 runs, as the hosts choose to bat after winning the toss at Pallekele. Both men hammered an Australian fast bowling attack plagued by injuries before the visitors caught Gunathilaka short of the crease on a direct hit by Marcus Stoinis in the 10th over. Fellow opener Nissanka top-edged a reverse sweep to Aston Agar to hand Aaron Finch a simple catch two overs later.
It was Glenn Maxwell’s first one-day international in more than 18 months but the 33-year-old looked anything but rusty.
Maxwell’s unbeaten 80 (from 51 balls), including six sixes, helped Australia chase down a rain-revised target of 282 runs and beat hosts Sri Lanka by two wickets.
The visitors started out chasing a total of 301 runs in 50 overs but a 90-minute rain break reduced the innings to 44 overs with the visitors requiring 282 under DLS at Pallekele.
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