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Australia defeated Sri Lanka in the first One-Day International (ODI) to take the 1-0 lead in the ongoing five-match series at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. All-rounder Glenn Maxwell was the star of the night and helped Au🦩stralia pull off their greatest chase against the Islanders.
Maxwell smacked an unbeaten 80 with the help of 6 fours and as many sixes to register a two-wicket triumph with nine balls to spare in a rain-affected clash. Chasing Sri Lanka’s total of 300/7, Australia’s target was subsequently reduced to 282 from 42 overs after an hour of rain.
Former skipper Steve Smith played a supporting role, hitting 53 off 60 balls, including five boundaries. Lankan tweaker Wanindu Hasaranga did bring the hosts into the game with his spectacular bowling. He picked up four wickets for 58 in nine overs but couldn’t stop the visitors from recording a win.
Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 300/7 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to Kusal Menis‘ brilliant knock. The wicketkeeper-batter smashed an unbeaten 86 from 87 deliveries, with the help of nine boundaries, including a six. Openers Danushka Gunathilaka (55) and Pathum Nissanka (56) chipped in with valuable contributions.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
A scintillating 8꧑0* (51) from Glenn Maxwell gets our Aussie men across the line by two wickets in the first ODI on the Qantas Tour of 🐈Sri Lanka!
Well played 🇦🇺
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus)
Fantastic game it was played so well 𝔉but it was a too good a knock by . Keep fighting guys 👊
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews)
Bad luck boys, you played really well, dominated from t൩he start, unfortunately we didn’t hold that to end, well done move to next gam🌄e with positive confidence, well batted by and congratulations to
— Dhammika Prasad (@imDhammika)
There's something about a clinical Glenn Maxwell finish that almost feels effortless. Coolly walked in at No 7 with Australia needing 93 runs off 84 balls and got them home with an unbeaten 80 off 51 balls. Easy as that
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07)
80 off 51. Glenn Maxwell taking car🐟e of business.
— Andrew Wu (@wutube)
One man army GLENN𒐪 MAXWELL �� 80* off 51, what an innings!
— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta)
Take a bow, Glenn Maxwell 🙌
Walking in at No.7, he smashes Australওia to a thrilling🅷 win over Sri Lanka💥
Watch the series on (in select regions) 📺
📝 Scorecard:
— ICC (@ICC)
Glenn ꦺMaxwell came in at 7 and made 80 of th🅠e last 93 runs. Blistering gear.
— Rudi Edsall (@RudiEdsall)
What a knock by Glenn Maxwell – 80* (51) with 6 fours and 6 sixes. A thunderous innings to take Australia to a victory with 2 wickets left. Unbelievable by Maxi!
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
Glenn Maxwell must be loving Kandy. Last time Australia were here, he smashed 145 not out in a T20 game. That was in 2016. It was raining sixes as photogrꦉaphers were hiding for cover. Another superb effort today. Some unbelievable shots. What a player.
— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine)
