Sri Lanka made a flying start to their World Cup chase against holders Australia but failed to carry their momentum forward to be finally dismissed for 247 in 45.5 overs. Australia's 87-run win helped them climb to the top of the World Cup points table with eight points from five matches -- their only loss coming against India. Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne (97) and Kusal Perera both hit half-centuries in a swashbuckling opening partnership of 115 before Perera was bowled by Mitchell Starc. Karunaratne and his opening partner Perera blasted 24 from the first two overs of their run chase and reached their fifty partnership in just the seventh over. Perera smoked Jason Behrendorff over cover for a huge six, then survived a caught behind review off Kane Richardson before belting another boundary. Karunaratne reached his to 50 in 43 balls while Perera only needed 33 balls to reach the mark. However, after the departure of the top three, Sri Lanka lost all steam and fell way short of the target. Earlier, Australia captain Aaron Finch equalled his highest one-day international score of 153 as he powered his team to 334-7. Finch took the misfiring Sri Lanka attack apart with a dazzling display that included 15 fours and five sixes. (SCORECARD)
World Cup 2019 Match Today, Highlights Updates Between Sri Lanka vs Australia, Straight from Kennington Oval, London.
22:49 (IST)
That's it from us here!
It's a wrap from us for this match but do not forget to tune in tomorrow for the mega clash between India and Pakistan at Manchester. Goodnight and see you all tomorrow!
It's all over! Australia have gone top of the table with the 87-run win over Sri Lanka. It looked a bit tricky for long periods but Sri Lanka just didn't have enough fire power to come anywhere close to the target. Another dismal day for the Islanders!
The first the ball falls just short of the short-fine leg fielder, the next ball it goes just over his head for a boundary and the next one is skied but lands in no-man's land. Talk about riding your luck!
Sri Lanka started really well but lost the plot after Kusal Perera's departure. Dimuth Karunaratne tried to keep Sri Lanka in the chase but the asking rate kept on going up. Another disappointing performance by Sri Lanka after a promising start.
Mitchell Starc concedes boundary on the last ball of the over. David Warner at mid-off couldn't get his hands to the ball and it races away to the fence.
Thisara Perera gets off the with a massive six on his first ball ball. Starc welcomed him with a short ball and he got over the bounce of the ball and pulled it comfortably for a 85-metre six.
Angelo Mathe' short stay at the crease ends as he edges the short ball from Pat Cummins straight into Alex Carey's gloves. He is furious with himself as it was a poor ball and he failed to put it away and more importantly lost his wicket.
Mitchell Starc bowls short to Angelo Mathews, he makes room moving away form the line of the ball and pulls it along the ground towards backward square leg fence for a four.
Angelo Mathews starts his innings with a boundary off the first ball. The ball was pitched up and he leaned forward and played it along the ground for a lovely four.
Dimuth Karunaratne falls three short of his maiden ODI century. Kane Richardson bowled short and little wide of off-stump, inviting Karunaratne to go after it, he goes for the cut-shot, straight into the hands of backward point fielder.
Australia bowlers have pulled things back after conceding 87 runs in the first powerplay. They gave only 69 runs in next 15 overs and also picked up two key wickets. Sri Lanka batsmen are finding it difficult to free their arms.
Sri Lanka in the first 10 overs: 87/0
Sri Lanka in the last 15 overs: 69/2
Australia have fought back well after Sri Lanka's lightning start.
Glenn Maxwell gives Karunaratne the width outside off, he hits it perfectly between backward point and short third man fielder and the ball races away to the fence.
Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne runs for a risky single, Khawaja's throw misses the stumps and had he hit that it Karunaratne would have gone despite his full-stretch dive.
Dimuth Karunaratne swings his bat at a wide ball, only manages an outside edge, the ball goes over vacant slip region and races away to the third-man fence.
Mitchell Starc knocks Kusal Parera's stumps to give Australia the breakthrough they desperately needed. Parera falls soon after completing his fifty. He goes for 52.
Here's the first wicket to fall for Sri Lanka, with Starc doing what he does best!https://t.co/4iArDUW3e5
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 15, 2019
Kusla Parera scores his 13th ODI fifty with a single off just 33 balls. Mitchell Starc bowled a fiery toe-crushing yorker and Parera somehow managed to work it away to square leg for one run.
50 for Kusal Perera!
It's come off just 33 balls and it's given his side a real chance of creating history today.
Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne completes his 4th ODI half-century with a boundary. He has taken the game to the Australian bowlers, hitting them all around the park.
Aaron Finch takes review after Shaun Marsh and Alex Carey convince him that the batsman has edged the ball. The bowler was not so sure about it. The replay shows there was nothing in it and Australia lose their review so early in the innings.
Jason Behrendorff concedes another boundary on the last ball of his over. It was going down leg and Parera plays it fine along the ground to fine leg fence.
Sri Lanka Cricket Team
Australia Cricket Team
Dimuth Karunaratne
Aaron Finch
The Oval, London