Colombo came alive on the sunny afternoon of February 12 as Sri Lanka hosted Australia for the first One Day International (ODI) match at the R. Premadasa Stadium. With the victory from the Test series fresh on their minds, Australia looked to carry their momentum forward, but they faced stiff competition from the Sri Lankan side, who struggled early on but found their feet thanks to captain Charith Asalanka.
The match kicked off with Sri Lanka winning the toss and choosing to bat first, perhaps hoping to put runs on the board. The start, unfortunately for the home team, was rocky, as they slipped to 39 for 4 within the Powerplay, sending alarm bells ringing across the ground. Australia's quick bowlers, particularly Sean Abbott and Nathan Ellis, capitalized on the dry, turning pitch to trouble the Sri Lankan batsmen, consistently finding the edges of their bats.
Matthew Short was dismissed for a duck after he fell lbw to the persistent bowling of Sri Lankan fast bowler, Eshan Malinga, on the second delivery of the innings. His dismissal was just the beginning, as other star batsmen, including Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, soon followed suit. The signs were ominous for Sri Lanka, with the scoreboard reading 31 for 6 at one stage, leaving fans wondering if they would even cross 200.
All hope looked lost, but then came the standout performance from Charith Asalanka. He took on the responsibility of guiding the tailenders and played with remarkable poise against Australia's formidable attack. His approach was aggressive yet calculated, as he amassed runs swiftly, finishing with 127 runs off 126 balls, including 14 fours and 5 sixes. His century was not just invaluable but also inspirational, as he single-handedly dragged Sri Lanka to a respectable total of 214.
With the contributions of Eshan Malinga as well, who supported him with some useful runs, Sri Lanka managed to regain some lost ground. Despite their earlier struggles, they reached 214 all out, leaving Australia needing 215 for victory. The Australians, appearing pleased with the target set before them, were confident yet aware of the potential for early wickets from Sri Lanka's bowlers, particularly with the condition of the pitch.
The second half of the match saw Australia open their innings with Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk at the crease. While they started cautiously, they quickly fell to the tight bowling of Sri Lankans, raising the stakes for the visitors. It was evident from the beginning the pitch was not straightforward to bat on, with pace and spin both playing significant roles.
Once again, Sri Lankan bowlers, particularly the impressive young talents Eshan Malinga and the experienced Ajantha Mendis, took advantage of the conditions. They maintained pressure early, with the Australian batsmen presenting several opportunities for wickets.
With Australia’s top order stepping onto the field, they seemed eager to chase down the 215 runs target at breakneck speed. But the pressure remained palpable as already one wicket fell before they could settle. Steve Smith, coming off his captaincy from the Test series, tried to instill calmness, but his team faced consistent pressure.
While Nathan Ellis shared insights during the innings break, stating how they would have grabbed the chance to chase 214 at the start of the day, the Australians quickly knew they had to be vigilant. Ellis acknowledged the hot and humid conditions, which were quite contrasting to their last matches. The humidity also played its part, making it tough for the Australian players acclimatizing to the shift from Test cricket.
After their innings concluded, and with Sri Lanka bowled out by the end of 46 overs, Charith’s leadership was revered, with the Australian side showing respect for his remarkable 127. The contest had now shifted gears as they prepared for the run chase against the Australian unit, which had just gained confidence after the bowlers claimed key wickets early.
The ambiance at the R. Premadasa Stadium reflected both optimism and apprehension from Sri Lankan fans, battling between hope for their bowlers to strike early and the seeming inevitability of the Australian batting order. The stage was set for what promised to be gripping action as Australia began their innings, needing 215 to seal victory against Sri Lanka’s determined bowling attack.