Sri Lanka beat Australia in low-scoring 1st ODI: Key stats
What's the story
Sri Lanka's cricket team pulled off a stunning 49-run victory over Australia in the first ODI match in Colombo.
The win was primarily due to the phenomenal performance of captain Charith Asalanka, who scored a brilliant century.
Although Sri Lanka's batting lineup struggled at first, Asalanka's leadership and skill turned the tables for the island nation.
Sri Lanka scored 214 runs in 46 overs. In response, Australia folded for a paltry 165 in just 33.5 overs.
Match-turning innings
A spectacular knock under the circumstances
Asalanka was on 50* when number 10 batter Eshan Malinga joined him with the team in tatters at 135 for 8.
Asalanka produced a heroic show thereafter and kept the strike. The 9th wicket stand was worth 79 runs and Asalanka tallied 77 of them.
Malinga needs to be praised as well for hanging around. He faced 26 balls for his 1*.
Stats
2nd century in ODIs versus Australia
Asalanka's 127 was laced with 14 fours and five sixes. He struck at 100.79.
With this knock, Asalanka has raced to 2,296 runs at 41.74. This was his 4th ODI ton. He also owns 14 fifties.
In 7 matches versus Australia, he has 339 runs at 56.50. This was his 2nd century against Australia.
Notably, this is also his career-best ODI score.
Information
2,000 runs on Asian soil for Asalanka
As per ESPNcricinfo, Asalanka has surpassed 2,000 runs in Asia. He owns 2,084 runs at 47.36. All four of his tons have come in Asia (50s: 13). Meanwhile, he also surpassed 1,500 ODI runs in Sri Lanka (1,575). He averages 54.31 at home.
Batting struggles
Australia's batting crumbles under pressure
Australia's top order faltered in their chase of 215 runs, with Matt Short getting out for a duck by Asitha Fernando.
Jake Fraser-McGurk fell for a nine-ball two. Cooper Connolly struggled, scoring 3 runs from 16 balls.
Steve Smith (12) and Marnus Labuschagne (15) also faltered.
The likes of Alex Carey (41), Aaron Hardie (32), Sean Abbott (20) and Adam Zampa (20) fought hard but the Lankans stood tall.
Bowling triumph
Theekshana's bowling prowess seals victory for Sri Lanka
Maheesh Theekshana's bowling prowess proved to be the key to Sri Lanka's win.
He sent back four Australian players, including Labuschagne and Alex Carey who had stitched a 52-run partnership.
Theekshana finished with figures of 4-40, wrapping up Sri Lanka's comeback win against Australia in style.
Theekshana now owns 76 ODI wickets from 56 matches at 25.38. This was his 7th four-wicket haul in ODIs.