October 16, 2023: In a long tournament played in round-robin format, two early losses may not be cause for concern, but if they are demoralizing defeats, then they could spell doom for the prospects of qualifying to the knock-out stage.
Australia found themselves in such a predicament facing Sri Lanka in their third encounter – an unfamiliar do-or-die kind of situation for the five-time World champions.
Winning the toss and electing to bat Sri Lanka were cruising at almost 6 an over with the openers adding 125 for the first wicket. Things did not seem good for Australia, until then. It was David Warner’s brilliant catch in the deep that gave skipper Cummins the first wicket of Pathum Nissanka, that turned things around. The fall of the Kusal Perera to Cummins meant both the half-centurions gone and the slide began soon.
Chasing a moderate target of 210, Australia got off to a bad start, losing gritty Warner and Steve Smith early to pacer Madhushanka, reeling at 24/2. It was left to Mitchell Marsh (52), Marnus Labuschagne (40) and Josh Inglis (58) to help Australia avoid any more difficulties. All-rounders Glen Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis chased down the remainder of the target in quick time win by five wickets, with 14 overs to spare.
Australia will next face Pakistan in an all-important encounter on October 20th in Bengaluru.
-Venkat, Team Pure Cricket
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