Australia vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI live updates: Steve Smith takes a stunner

Australian star Steve Smith has left jaws on the floor after producing an other-worldly act that you have to see too believe.

Australia’s dominance in Sri Lanka continued on Wednesday as the first one-day contest between the two nations got underway.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Sri Lanka saw the wickets tumble early and often in front of their home crowd as they fought back late to register 214 runs.

Watch India vs England T20I & ODI Series LIVE on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

While Australia was in complete control, it was stand-in skipper Steve Smith who once again stole the spotlight.

Smith left jaws on the floor in the 25th over as he hauled in a sharp catch at slip off the bowling of Matt Short.

Watch the absurd catch in the video player above

The delivery caught the edge of Dunith Wellalage and flew quickly past keeper Alex Carey, but Smith wasn’t going to be denied.

Carey’s reaction perfectly summed up Smith’s absurdity as he threw both his hands into the air after the catch.

Cricket journalist Bharat Sundaresan wrote on X: “Steve Smith has now started pulling off these blinders at slip for fun. No fuss. No frills. Just another day at the office. This one as good as the blinder last week in Galle.”

One fan wrote: “Like seriously how Smith catching these ? That’s an unbelievable catch.”

A second added: “SMUDGE OH MY GOD.”

Steve Smith takes an absurd catch.

The catch ended a 67-run stand for Sri Lanka which gave the home team life after they found themselves on the ropes in the opening overs.

Spencer Johnson struck first, sending opener Pathum Nissanka on his way with only the fifth delivery of the match.

Australia doubled down when Aaron Hardie removed fellow opener Avishka Fernando after he chased a loose shot outside off stump.

Things didn’t get any better for the locals when Hardie and Johnson struck again in the fifth and sixth overs to leave Sri Lanka in all sorts at 4/31.

The paltry display from the Sri Lankan outfit left those watching on all fuming over how one-sided the contest was shaping up to be.

It ultimately all came to an end for Sri Lanka in the xx over with Johnson, Hardie and Nathan Ellis finishing the innings with two-wickets each.

Smith made it look easy by claiming the catch of Fernando. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Things could have been even uglier for the locals if not for Charith Asalanka who carried the innings with a stunning century.

Asalanka walked to the crease with Sri Lanka stranded at 3/30 and lifted the team before walking off after scoring 127 runs.

His innings saw him club five sixes and hit 14 fours as he put the Australian bowlers under constant attack.

The two ODI contests against Sri Lanka are serving as a warm-up for the Aussie squad ahead of the Champions Trophy which gets underway next week.

Australia entered the match missing a host of star players with Pat Cummins, Mitch Marsh, Josh Hazlewood and Marcus Stoinis all not in the squad.

The squad was also dealt a blow in the days prior to the contest when Mitch Starc returned home and withdrew his name from the Champions Trophy.

Originally published as Australia vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI live updates: Steve Smith takes a stunner