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Charith Asalanka Photograph: (X)
Sri Lankan star Charith Asalanka played a captain’s knock for his side during the first ODI in Colombo against Australia. The 27-year-old scored his fourth ODI century, which came off 112 balls. What made this century more special was that at one stage the home team were placed at 135/8 in the 33rd over.
The hosts were bowled out for 214 runs in the 46th over, with Asalanka scoring a career-best 127. His knock came off 126 balls with the help of 14 boundaries and five sixes. It was a fine comeback for the home team considering that the visitors had reduced them to 55/5 at one stage.
A century for Charith Asalanka!
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 12, 2025
The captain carries his team with a super innings 🫡#SLvAUSpic.twitter.com/myjGmU1MMU
Australia fielded after Sri Lanka won the toss as Steve Smith went into the game without his seasoned pacer Mitchell Starc. The 35-year-old had shocked the world with his sudden decision to pull out of the upcoming Champions Trophy. Australia is already without skipper Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, and Marcus Stoinis.
Charith Asalanka ton helps Sri Lanka post 214 on the board
Sri Lanka lost their openers inside the first two overs of the game. Spencer Johnson got the wicket of Pathum Nissanka for four runs caught by Alex Carey. Aaron Hardie then struck twice when he got the wickets of Avishka Fernando for one and Kusal Mendis for 19 runs.
Jake Fraser-McGurk then took an amazing catch to get rid of Kamindu Mendis for five runs. After the fall of Janith Liyange for 11, Asalanka and Dunith Wellage added 67 runs for the sixth wicket. That stand ended when Steve Smith took a flying one-handed catch to dismiss Wellage for 30. Maheesh Theekshana was given out in controversial fashion for two runs, while Hasaranga was bowled by Nathan Ellis for seven runs.
Skipper Asalanka and seamer Eshan Malinga then added 79 runs for the ninth wicket in 79 balls. That stand took the hosts past the 200-run mark, with Malinga scoring just one run in the partnership off 26 balls. Abbott ended the innings when he had Asalanka caught by McGurk for 127 and followed it up with the wicket of Asitha Fernando for a duck.