Twitter Reactions: Centurion Charith Asalanka helps Sri Lank to memorable win against Australia

Sri Lanka orchestrated a memorable win against Australia in the first ODI at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Sri Lanka’s top order collapsed like a pack of cards. At one point in time, they were reeling at 31/4. The highest score amongst the top four batters was Kusal Mendis’ 19 runs innings. 

Sri Lanka skipper, Charith Asalanka held the other end strongly as wickets tumbled. He tried to forge some partnerships in the middle but none could help him in his cause to negate the batting failure. Spinner, Dunith Wellalage joined hands with him and played a crucial knock of 30 runs coming into bat at number seven. The duo stitched a 67-run stand for the seventh wicket. 

But Asalanka showed his resistance against the quality Australian bowling. He brought his fourth ODI century in the 43rd over. The lower order fell for the Australian attack easily Asalanka departed when the scorecard read 214 runs. In the end, Sri Lanka managed to post a respectable total of 214 runs. 

Also check: Watch: Steve Smith's one-handed stunner leaves Sri Lanka in tatters

Asalanka named Player of the Match

It was a chaseable target for visitors in all sense but they were treated the same way as they did to Sri Lanka. The team found itself teetering at 31/4 after Steve Smith’s wicket. But Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey’s 52-run stand for the fifth wicket was shortlived. The duo departed scoring 15 and 41 runs respectively. 

Aaron Hardie was in a situation where Asalanka was during Sri Lanka’s innings. But the all-rounder lacked gas and contribution from his other colleagues. He was the ninth man to go down after scoring a gritty 32 runs and Australia were bowled out for just 165 runs as Sri Lank emerged victorious by 49 runs. For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekhshana was the pick of the bowler with four-fer as Asalanka was named Player of the Match. 

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