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After losing two back-to-back games, Australia registered its first win of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 over Sri Lanka. Finishing off the game, it was Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis, who helped the five-time champion win the game by five wickets. But it wasn't always smooth sailing for the Aussies as Sri Lankan openers started the game with some incredible stroke play.
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The duo of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera scored 61 and 78 respectively to help the Lankans post a 125-run stand. Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, this was the only positive from the batting department as Adam Zampa-led Aussie attack produced a colossal collapse. Zampa picked up four wickets while Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc chipped in with two wickets each to bundle out Sri Lanka for 192 in 33.1 overs.
Unlike the bowling effort, the Aussie batters got off to another poor start as David Warner (11 in 6 balls) and Steven Smith (0 in 5 balls) were dismissed in Dilshan Madushanka's first two overs. But steadying the ship, Mitchell Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne stitched a crucial 57-run stand. This partnership carried the Aussies out of trouble as the Marsh's wicket at a score of 52 didn't hinder the chase.
Josh Inglis started with a great touch as he elevated the pressure and took Australia near to the finish. The Aussie gloveman brought up his half-century while Labuschagne put up a solid 40 before Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis finished off the game with some massive hits.
