Cricket World Cup 2023

AUS vs SL highlights: Adam Zampa returns to form against Sri Lanka to hand Australia first CWC 2023 win

by Wisden Staff October 17, 2023 - 4:02pm 3 minute read

Watch: Australia clinched their first victory at the World Cup 2023 after beating Sri Lanka by five wickets on October 16.

After being asked to bowl, Australia didn’t have the best of starts in their third match. Sri Lanka’s opening batters, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera, stitching together a 125-run opening stand. In the 21st over, skipper Pat Cummins delivered the first blow to dismiss Nissanka for 61 (67). Cummins struck again four overs later to see off the firebrand batter Kusal Perera for an ominous 78 (82). Kusal Mendis’ team was 157-2 at this point.

Sri Lanka were well on course to post a target of over 300, but leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who had been off-colour in his outings against India and South Africa, had other plans. Zampa thwarted the looming danger by putting the breaks on the Sri Lanka innings with figures of 4-47. Australia bowled out Sri Lanka for 209 as Kusal Mendis’ side lost their last eight wickets for just 52 runs.

Chasing the underwhelming target, openers Mitchell Marsh and David Warner gave a rollicking start until the latter was wrapped around his pads by pacer Dilshan Madushanka. Madushanka struck again in the penultimate bowl of the over, sending Steve Smith packing for a duck. At the 14.3 overs mark, Australia slipped to 81-3 as Marnus Labuschagne returned to the pavilion for 40 (60). Marsh (52) and Josh Inglis (58) then got the five-time champions out of danger. Later, Glenn Maxwell (31 off 21) and Marcus Stoinis (20 off 10) delivered with quickfire cameos. Stoinis sealed the victory for his team with a maximum as Australia finished on 215-5 in 35.2 overs.