A century from debutant Phillip Hughes guided Australia to a comprehensive 107-run win over Sri Lanka, in their first ODI of the ongoing 5-match series, played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today on January 11.
Top-order batsmen Aaron Finch (16) and Usman Khawaja (3) did not last long, but opener and Player of the Match Hughes anchored the innings firmly at the top with a composed 112. By the 16th over, Australia were at 72 for 2, but Hughes found an able partner in skipper George Bailey (89), who joined him for a third-wicket partnership worth 140 runs.
Their combined efforts got the team up to 212, after which Malinga finally managed to dislodge Hughes. Bailey, and Glenn Maxwell (5) followed soon after, but some final heroics from David Hussey, who remained unbeaten on 60, and Brad Haddin (10*), got the Aussies up to a formidable final total of 305 for 5 by the end of 50 overs.
The tourists never appeared to be in the game, as the host team’s bowling attack, led by Clint McKay (8-0-33-4) and Mitchell Johnson (9-1-43-2), proceeded to successfully defend the team total, leading them to victory by a staggering margin.
Tillakaratne Dilshan (51) and Dinesh Chandimal (73) were the only batsmen who managed to progress beyond the 50-run mark, while the remainder of the batting order remained insipid. Aside from these two batsmen, Jeevan Mendis (20), Nuwan Kulasekara (18), and Angelo Mathews (12) were the only other players who managed to reach double figures.
In addition to the lack of a batsman who could drive the innings forward, Sri Lanka were also shoddy between the wickets, and three dismissals were brought about owing to run outs. By the end of 40 overs, Australia managed to bowl the Lankan Lions out for 198, and went on to claim a 1-0 lead and an emphatic 107-run win.
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