Source: ICC Cricket – 21 June 2022
A torrid start for Sri Lanka
Put in to bat first, it was a grim start for Sri Lanka who were rocked at the start of the innings. Glenn Maxwell outfoxed Niroshan Dickwella in the second over, the batter dancing down the tracks only to be completely deceived by the flight of the delivery and stumped by Alex Carey.
Kusal Mendis then saw his stumps uprooted after a beautiful delivery by Pat Cummins. Mitchell Marsh also made an immediate impact, getting the vital wicket of Pathum Nissanka, as the hosts found themselves reeling at 34/3.
Asalanka, de Silva fight back
A big partnership was the need of the hour for the hosts. They got exactly that with Dhananjaya de Silva and Charith Asalanka steadying the ship. After a sedate start, the pair upped the ante, registering a 101-run partnership off just 100 deliveries. Dhananjaya de Silva would perish relatively soon after reaching his half-century, but Asalanka would carry on to make it count.
πΎπ―π¨π». π¨. π²π΅πΆπͺπ² π₯
— ICC (@ICC) June 21, 2022
A maiden international century for Charith Asalanka!
Well played π
Watch the #SLvAUS series on https://t.co/WngPr0Ns1J (in select regions) πΊ
π Scorecard: https://t.co/KsvSxzgG3U pic.twitter.com/a36jglPTSB
Maiden ton delight for Asalanka
Asalanka would continue to battle hard for the Lankan cause, registering some crucial partnerships with Dunith Wellalage and Wanindu Hasaranga. In the process, he also brought up his maiden international ton. He ended with a 110 off 106 deliveries, a crucial knock that ensured Sri Lanka were not skittled out after a nervy start. Hasaranga (21* off 20) and Wellalage (19 off 35) also played handy knocks as Sri Lanka posted 258 in 49 overs.