Australia v Sri Lanka, 1st ODI: Mitchell Starc replacement, Spencer Johnson, runs riot

Australia’s new-look bowling attack has warmed up nicely without its famed big three by decimating Sri Lanka a week out from the Champions Trophy. FOLLOW LIVE.

6PM: Australia’s new-look bowling attack has warmed up nicely without its famed big three by decimating Sri Lanka a week out from the Champions Trophy.

Sri Lanka are 8-140 after 34 overs with young quicks Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis and all-rounder Aaron Hardie picking the hosts apart with two wickets each.

Johnson claimed two of the first four wickets to fall in a brilliant first-start stepping out of Mitchell Starc’s shadow.

Australia will go into next week’s Champions Trophy tournament without Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, but if Wednesday’s first ODI against Sri Lanka is anything to go by, their hopes of winning the tournament are not dead.

Nathan Ellis celebrates after taking the wicket of Maheesh Theekshana. Picture: Getty Images

Sean Abbott and Matt Short have also chipped in with a wicket each and the Champions Trophy now almost shapes as being of even more interest because it’s the first look Australian fans will have at life after the Big Three.

Steve Smith has DONE IT AGAIN.

He takes a beauty at slip!#SLvAUSpic.twitter.com/kUpTdKOEMI

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 12, 2025

4.00PM: No Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins? No worries.

Australia’s new-look pace attack has decimated Sri Lanka’s top order in the first one-dayer in an encouraging sign ahead of next week’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

All-rounder Aaron Hardie, stepping into the big shoes of Mitchell Marsh (injured) and Marcus Stoinis (retired) has claimed two early wickets while Starc’s replacement Johnson got the ball rolling and also has two wickets to leave Sri Lanka in all sorts at 4-31 in the seventh over.

This is a new-look Australian attack with left-arm Big Bash star Johnson, Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott and Hardie so far answering the questions asked of them.

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first, but with Pathum Nissanka (4), Avishka Fernando (1) and Kusal Mendis (19) already back in the sheds, Australia’s momentum from their 2-0 Test series victory is continuing.

Australia's Spencer Johnson (R) celebrates after taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka. Picture: AFP

3.00PM: Spencer Johnson will receive his big break in international cricket today as he steps out of the shadow of Mitchell Starc in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka will bat first after winning the toss for the opening ODI, and they’ll have to face up to an in-form Johnson straight away.

The left-arm Big Bash ace has replaced Starc in Australia’s Champions Trophy one-day squad, and will get a chance to show his wares against Sri Lanka in the first of two ODI matches which will serve as warm-ups for the tournament starting in Pakistan next week.

Starc has withdrawn from the Champions Trophy squad due to personal reasons and with no Pat Cummins or Josh Hazlewood either, Johnson is suddenly the spearhead of the Australian attack.

The 29-year-old is yet to take an ODI wicket from his two internationals, but he has starred for Australia in T20 internationals as well as in the Big Bash and is ready for his big opportunity to impress.

In a way the pressure is off Johnson with the Big Three all ruled out of the Champions Trophy, and Australia will hope he can replicate the new-ball swing and strike of left-arm magician, Starc.

Meanwhile, Jake Fraser-McGurk returns to the Australian side despite an ordinary summer with the bat as a replacement for Mitchell Marsh.

Fraser-McGurk is expected to feature in Australia’s Champions Trophy top three along with Travis Head and Matt Short.

Originally published as Australia v Sri Lanka, 1st ODI: Mitchell Starc replacement, Spencer Johnson, runs riot