Watch cricket video highlights of Australia Tour of Sri Lanka 2025. First ODI between Australia and Sri Lanka. Venue of the match will be Colombo.
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A depleted Australian team began their Champions Trophy preparations with a 49-run loss as Sri Lanka’s captain Charith Asalanka orchestrated an impressive comeback in a low-scoring first ODI in Colombo. Just three days after the conclusion of the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy, Sri Lanka struggled with their batting at 135 for 8 until Asalanka stepped in to deliver a series of explosive performances in the later stages, taking advantage of a fatigued Australian bowling attack in humid conditions.
Asalanka scored 127 runs off 126 balls, initially playing cautiously under immense pressure before unleashing powerful shots all around the wicket. He completely overshadowed a ninth-wicket partnership of 79 runs with Eshan Malinga, who remained not out with 1 run off 26 balls. Australia’s inexperienced top-order struggled in their chase of 215 without Travis Head, Josh Inglis, and Glenn Maxwell. The team got off to a shaky start when Matt Short was dismissed for a duck on just the second ball, trapped lbw by fast bowler Asitha Fernando.
This was a letdown for Short, who appeared poised to partner with Head as an opener in the Champions Trophy. He faced difficulties against Pakistan in the white-ball series last November, although he did hit a quick century for the Strikers in the BBL. Jake Fraser-McGurk also faced a string of low scores against Pakistan and in the BBL prior to scoring 95 off 46 balls for the Renegades in their last match against the Heat. This aggressive innings helped him regain consideration for national selection.
Typically known for his bold style of play, he seemed hesitant against the moving ball, managing to score only singles. However, on his ninth ball, Fraser-McGurk offered a leading edge that Fernando caught low in his follow-through. After making his Test debut last week, Cooper Connolly had the chance to bat at No. 3, a position he enjoyed while playing for the Scorchers in the recent BBL season. However, as a traveling reserve for the Champions Trophy, Connolly found himself tied down and eventually lost patience, getting out lbw to offspinner Maheesh Theekshana after missing a slog sweep.
The pressure mounted on stand-in captain Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, who seemed to need to switch back to a Test cricket approach given Australia’s situation. Smith attempted to put pressure on left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage right away but made what might be considered his first mistake of the tour by playing right over an attempted slog. Labuschagne and Alex Carey had to regroup and put together a 52-run partnership, working the ball around effectively.
Following his career-best 156 in the second Test, Carey’s confidence was evident as he struck three boundaries when legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga came into the attack in the 15th over. The scenario appeared ideal for Labuschagne, but he fell lbw to Theekshana while on 15, and Carey was dismissed in the subsequent over after being caught by Asalanka for 41. Australia plunged to 85 for 6, leaving their faint hopes reliant on Aaron Hardie and Sean Abbott, who had a few anxious moments but managed to form a 41-run partnership.
Abbott soon fell in a disappointing manner, presenting a return catch to Theekshana, who completed Sri Lanka’s comeback victory by dismissing Spencer Johnson to finish with figures of 4-40. Although Sri Lanka did not qualify for the Champions Trophy, they maintained their strong ODI performance, achieving their eighth win in the last 12 matches. Earlier in the day, this conclusion seemed improbable when Australia’s bowlers dominated much of Sri Lanka’s innings.
Spin was anticipated to play a significant role on a dry pitch, yet Australia benefited from opting for a seam-heavy attack that took advantage of the considerable movement available under the occasional overcast skies. With frontline pace bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc sidelined for the series and the following Champions Trophy, Abbott, Hardie, Johnson, and Nathan Ellis collectively took nine wickets. Sri Lanka’s top order struggled against the moving ball after Asalanka chose to bat following the toss win.
He aimed for a total close to 270, but Australia’s quicks quickly found a threatening back of a length. Opener Pathum Nissanka aimed to bounce back from a double failure in the second Test but was outdone by poor footwork as Johnson secured his first ODI wicket in just his third match. Having made successful decisions throughout the Test series, Smith’s instincts again proved accurate when Hardie was given the new ball over frontline quicks Ellis and Abbott. He took out Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis behind the stumps while bowling at speeds near 135kph.
He ended with figures of 2 for 9 from his four overs after only returning to bowling late in the BBL season due to ongoing quad issues. This was a boost for Australia, who will head into the Champions Trophy without the injured Mitchell Marsh and retired Marcus Stoinis. Johnson got his second wicket when Kamindu Mendis’ miserable run continued as he chipped a simple catch to square leg. Long viewed as a potential successor to Starc, Johnson consistently bowled around 140kph, and his rising bounce troubled Sri Lanka’s batters.
It fell to Asalanka to restore some order, and he began with a 67-run sixth-wicket partnership with Wellalage as they dealt with legspinner Adam Zampa comfortably. Just when Sri Lanka seemed to gain some momentum, Smith interjected with a stunning one-handed catch to his right at slip as Wellalage tried to play Short’s offspin. Having just led the Hobart Hurricanes to their first BBL title, Ellis had bad luck during his initial spell but came back to take the wickets of Hasaranga and Theekshana as Sri Lanka looked poised for a dismal score.
Asalanka had different plans as he battled through cramps to turn the innings around. He monopolized the strike but was well-supported by Malinga, whose only aim was to defend against the few balls he faced. Asalanka completed his fourth ODI century with a single off Ellis before Malinga managed to score his first run off the 21st delivery he encountered. Asalanka met his demise in the 46th over at the hands of Abbott, but he had certainly energized his team.
