Asalanka’s stunning century propels Sri Lanka to victory

Charith Asalanka acknowledges his century

• Recover from 55-5 to turn tables on Australia

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka’s victories over the current number one-ranked ODI team Australia are not many, but yesterday at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, they pulled off a famous 49-run win after being down and out at 55-5 and then 135-8, to go one-up in the two-match ODI series.

Sri Lanka’s win was all about one man, skipper Charith Asalanka, who played the innings of his life to turn the tide against Australia and manufacture a win for his team, which at one time seemed a distant dream. To come back and win from the position they were in is something that will be remembered for a long time by everyone, including the Poya day crowd that made its way to the stadium.

Asalanka resurrected the innings with his fourth ODI century, which was easily his best. He came to the wicket at 30-3 in the fifth over and held the innings together till the 46th to ensure that Sri Lanka had a total on the board to defend. The skipper was on 50* when Eshan Malinga, the number 10, joined him with the team in tatters at 135-8. How well did he play from that point onwards? He kept the strike for most of the over, found the early boundary and kept the scoreboard ticking. He marshalled the innings superbly and soaked in the applause from the crowd, removing his helmet after reaching his century.

The ninth wicket stand was worth 79 at a run a ball and Asalanka made 77 of those runs. It made the difference between the sides and cost Australia the match. The stand was a record for the venue, beating the 71 between Thilina Kandamby (the present Sri Lanka Batting Coach) and Malinga Bandara against Pakistan in 2009. 

Asalanka went on to score a career best 127 off 126 balls (14 fours, 5 sixes), but Malinga was the unsung hero. He scored 1* off 26 balls and his batting from the 32nd over allowed his captain to score the runs. He, in fact, played his role perfectly.

At one time, it was a sorry looking scorecard for Sri Lanka who opted to bat first. They were quickly reduced to 55-5 on a pitch that had plenty of swing and seam movement for the quicks, who exploited it to the full. Australia took four Sri Lankan wickets for 39 in the first powerplay, with all of them falling to catches behind the wicket and another at forward square, before Asalanka and Dunith Wellalage added 67 for the sixth wicket. But once again, Sri Lanka slipped from 123-5 to 135-8 – that is when Asalanka took control. Sean Abbott took wickets but was very expensive, conceding 61 runs while Spencer Johson, Aaron Hardie, and Nathan Ellis took two apiece.

In Australia’s reply, Asitha Fernando got both the openers early to infuse more belief into his side before the spinners took over. Wanindu Hasaranga had a rare off-day, but Maheesh Theekshana was the star with a four-fer and was well-supported by left-armer Wellalage, who took the massive wicket of Steve Smith first ball. 

A couple of poor shots from the Aussies did not help their cause. Alex Carey looked very impressive but he holed out after scoring 41 off 38 balls (5 fours, 1 six). His dismissal tilted the game Sri Lanka’s way decisively, despite Aaron Hardie and Shaun Abbott adding 41 for the seventh. The pitch certainly helped the spinners but it was nothing unplayable and Australia will be disappointed they could not chase this total down.

Aslanka, who was named Player of the Match, said: “Really pleased with the knock. Probably my best knock to-date. It was not easy batting out there. The ball was seaming around until about 15 overs, which is quite unusual on this wicket. Had to settle in and then, batting with the tail, had to take a few risks. Glad it all paid off today.”

Asalanka paid a compliment to Malinga, who helped him in a vital stand of 79. “Credit to Eshan Malinga. He hung in there and all we wanted to do was to take the game as deep as possible. If not for that partnership, we would not have got over the line.” Asalanka said that it was important for Sri Lanka to win this series to continue the form they showed in 2024.

“We are coming after a tough Test series and Australia are the world champions. It is important for us to win this series. We are not in the Champions Trophy but we had a very good year in ODIs last year. We look forward to winning the next game and completing a series win.”

Both teams will meet again tomorrow at the same venue for the second ODI in the two-match series.

Dunith Wellalage and Charith Asalanka rebuilt the innings with an important stand of 67

Dunith Wellalage gets the wicket of Steve Smith with his first ball

Maheesh Theekshana on his way to a four-wicket haul 

Asitha Fernando took wickets in his first two overs