Aaron Finch blasts stunning century, Mitchell Starc rips in as Australia topple Sri Lanka
Australia claimed its fourth victory of the World Cup against an out-muscled Sri Lanka, a brilliant innings by Aaron Finch and some outstanding bowling from Mitchell Starc doing the damage.
- Ponting's 'magic dust' takes Finch to top billing
- Why Warner was never going to be Langer’s third man
If Australia ever clicks at the World Cup, watch out.
Somehow the Aussies are 4-1. Have they played great cricket? Not really. Are they anywhere near their best? No way.
It’s been a peculiar tournament. Today’s 87-run win against lowly Sri Lanka was surprisingly uncomfortable.
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The Lankans raced to 0/87 – the best power-play of the tournament – as Australia’s pace battery looked weary.
They burnt their lengths and burnt their review, which ultimately cost Glenn Maxwell his maiden wicket.
They also might’ve fluffed their selection. Where was Adam Zampa or, given Sri Lanka’s lefties, Nathan Lyon?
Four quicks on a green top seemed a good idea but might not have been. It threatened to undo the glorious work of Aaron Finch (153 off 132) and Steven Smith (73 off 59).
The current captain and former captain put on 173 runs together, the largest partnership of the tournament.
It was a blend of power and class that once again spared the middle order from any serious heat.
Instead the heat came via the way of England’s chilly summer.
With dark clouds lurking, Sri Lanka burst about 40 runs ahead of the par score. The rain was predicted but never arrived. A collapse was expected and came with a thud.
Sri Lanka went from 2/186 to all-out for 247 in a flash. Perhaps the prospect of knocking off the champions became daunting.
Is it the force field that surrounds Australia at the World Cup real? They’ve now won an incredible 45 out of their past 49 games at the tournament. Yes, 45/49.
Two more wins are required to lock away a semi-final berth, with games against Bangladesh, England, New Zealand and South Africa ahead.
The opposition gets harder but the schedule softer. Today was Australia’s fourth game in 10 days, and it’s clearly taken its toll.
The final four games are spaced across three weeks, and include a nine-day stay in London. It’s a nice lead into the knockout stages. At 4-1, Australia is all but there.
But the lack of bowling depth and middle-order punch means questions remain.
STARC SOARS UP THE ORDER
Mitchell Starc was off the boil early and then on fire. The World Cup’s leading wicket-taker – he has 13 – is also equal-second on Australia’s list at the tournament, drawing level with Brett Lee on 35 scalps. Starc overtook Brad Hogg and Shaun Tait (both 34) and Shane Warne (32) today, although has a long way to go to become No.1. Glenn McGrath’s 71 World Cup wickets will take some beating.
BOWLING, GLENN
Glenn Maxwell was brought into the attack after Sri Lanka set a new power-play record at the World Cup – 0/87 after 10 overs. Maxwell proceeded to bowl brilliantly, his first spell lasting seven overs.
The allrounder finished with 0/46 (10 overs) and you’ll struggle to find a better wicket-less spell. Maxwell conceded just one boundary in 60 balls while Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins both leaked multiple boundaries in their first over.
Comparatively, Maxwell bowled as tight as piano wire. He built the pressure and then the quicks cashed in.
As for the wickets column, the combination of a bad review and bad umpiring denied Maxwell his first scalp of the tournament.
Maxwell trapped Dimuth Karunaratne plumb on 50 yet somehow the finger stayed down and the Aussies were powerless given they wasted their review during the desperate start.
DK went on to make 97 (108) before a sharp Maxwell catch removed him. The fact Sri Lanka made 0/87 off the first 10 and 2/88 off the next 20 overs said plenty about Maxi’s impact.
BAD DAVEY
Three days after Dave Warner wound back the clock with a match-winning century he spun it forward to his form directly before that knock. Warner’s 26 (48) looked uncomfortable, just as he did against India at the same ground six days earlier. In two knocks at The Oval, Warner has made 2/82 off 22 overs. That’s not the Warner we know. Good thing for him the rest of Australia’s games in London are at Lord’s.
BYE BYE BOOS?
The boos are softening for Steve Smith and David Warner, with Sri Lanka fans clapping both players when they came out to bat, while Pakistan fans celebrated Warner’s century in Taunton on Wednesday. Smith’s third half-century in his past four games was met with some jeers but it was nothing compared to the Indian fans six days ago, or the English fans when he raised the bat in a warm-up match.
WHERE ARE THE AUSSIES?
Another sell-out crowd and another hostile feeling for Australia. Where are all the Aussies? Waiting for the Ashes? The Oval was filled with Sri Lankans six days after it was filled with Indians. In between, Taunton was packed with Pakistanis at the midweek game. Even in the World Cup opener the Bristol ground was rocking with Afghans. After five games probably only a few thousand Aussies have clicked through the turnstiles. Odd.
SELECTION CHANGES…
Marcus Stoinis has until Thursday’s game against Bangladesh to prove he is over a side strain. If Stoinis recovers, then he will face the Tigers. If he doesn’t, then Mitchell Marsh will replace Stoinis in the squad and face the Tigers. That means one of Usman Khawaja or Shaun Marsh will make way.
UZZIE
It was another poor day for Usman. Batting at No.3, which is as high as the natural opener will get in this team. Khawaja was targeted with short bowling and struggled, although eventually fell for 10 (20) to spin. After five games Khawaja is yet to post a half-century and has not scored a combined 100 runs, losing his mantle as the world’s leading run-scorer in 2019 to Finch. Can Khawaja adapt to a role in the flexible middle order? Justin Langer says yes, but the jury is out.
SOS
Marsh entered in the 44th over and was tasked with the unfamiliar role of finisher. It didn’t work. He faced nine balls and made just three runs. Marsh is versatile but can he adapt to become an aggressive basher, driving the run-rate up at the death? Justin Langer says yes, arguing Marsh is a “very, very explosive player”, but the jury is out.
OTHER CHANGES?
A specialist spinner will return against Bangladesh. Adam Zampa snagged 1/58 at Trent Bridge, where they play the Tigers, against West Indies last week while Nathan Lyon is the only member of Australia’s squad still searching for a debut. Could both play? Mitchell Starc and Patrick Cummins looked a little weary against Sri Lanka and might benefit from a rest at this stage of the tournament, while Nathan Coulter-Nile should be fresh after sitting out today’s game.
THE ROAD AHEAD
vs Bangladesh, Thursday (Nottingham)
vs England, June 25 (Lord’s)
vs New Zealand, June 29 (Lord’s)
vs South Africa, July 6 (Manchester)
SAM LANDSBERGER’S AUSSIE VOTES
3. Aaron Finch
2. Glenn Maxwell
1. Steve Smith
TOTAL
8 Finch
5 Smith
4 Warner
3 Starc
2 Zampa, Coulter-Nile, Carey, Cummins, Maxwell
Originally published as Aaron Finch blasts stunning century, Mitchell Starc rips in as Australia topple Sri Lanka
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