Australia opened their account in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, defeating Sri Lanka. After two straight defeats, the Aussies found some joy after starting poorly against the Lankans. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka now have three straight defeats. SL had a dream start after electing to bat. Openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Perera added 125 runs. However, Pat Cummins handed Australia the momentum by dismissing the two. Adam Zampa was terrific and claimed four scalps. For the Lankans, Charith Asalanka was the only other batter with a double-figure score. SL perished for a paltry 209.
In response, Australia started poorly, losing David Warner and Steve Smith cheaply. Mitchell Marsh went well and scored a fifty. Josh Inglis also fired for his side with a maiden World Cup half-century. Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell chipped in with notable contributions as the Aussies won with 14.4 overs to spare. For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madhushanaka was the pick of the bowlers. He claimed a three-for.
Here are the major records broken.
1500 ODI runs for Nissanka
Sri Lanka opener Nissanka smashed 61 from 67 balls. His knock consisted of eight fours. Nissanka has now breached the 1500-run mark in ODIs. Nissanka has raced to 1,508 runs in 43 ODIs at an average of 37.70. He has tallied three centuries and 11 fifties in this format. This was also his second fifty against Australia. As per ESPNcricinfo, on Asian soil, he has scored 967 runs at 37.19.
Kusal Perera slams 12 fours, registers this mark
SL opener Perera found form with a sturdy 82-ball 78. Notably, his knock was laced with 12 fours. He has now raced to 350 fours in ODIs, besides also owning 50 sixes. Perera slammed his 16th ODI fifty, besides getting to 3173 runs at 31.10.
3rd batter with 900-plus runs in 2023
Nissanka has become the 3rd-highest scorer in ODIs this year. He is also the 3rd player to surpass 900 ODI runs in 2023 after Shubman Gill (1246) and Asif Khan (934). Nissanka owns 931 runs at 44.33.
Highest World Cup score for Perera
Making his 12th appearance in ICC World Cup history, Perera now has four fifties. Notably, he has slammed his highest ODI WC score as well. Perera has also smashed the fifth-highest individual score by a Sri Lankan against Australia at the ODI World Cup.
Highest opening stand for SL against AUS in WC
Nissanka and Perra’s 125-run stand is now the highest for the first wicket for Sri Lanka against the Aussies in ICC World Cup history. Meanwhile, this is the fourth-highest stand for Sri Lanka (any wicket) in ODI World Cups against the Aussies. Overall, this is Lanka’s fifth-highest opening stand in ODI cricket versus Australia.
Zampa follows Warne’s footsteps
Adam Zampa claimed a solid four-wicket haul. As per Cricbuzz, he has become the second Aussie spinner with 10 or more four-wicket hauls in ODIs after the legendary Shane Warne (14). Zampa has become the third Aussie spinner to take a four-wicket haul in the World Cup. Brad Hogg (4/27) and Warne (4/29) are the others.
300 List A wickets for Starc
Aussie left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc extended his tally at the World Cup to 54 scalps. Starc, who claimed two scalps versus SL, averages 15.79. Meanwhile, the star fast bowler has completed 300 List A wickets (301). 225 of his scalps in the format have come in ODI cricket.
Sri Lanka equal this unwanted World Cup record
Sri Lanka suffered another massive defeat, taking their tally to 42 losses in ICC World Cup history. SL have now equalled Zimbabwe for the most defeats in World Cup history (42 each).
Maxwell’s love affair with Sri Lanka
Maxwell has been solid against the Lankans in the World Cup. He slammed 102 from 53 balls in 2015, followed by 46* from 25 balls in 2019, and now 31* from 21 balls in 2023. Overall, Maxwell has 393 ODI runs versus SL at 43.66. In 21 World Cup games, Maxwell has raced to 550 ODI runs. His strike rate reads 153.20, which is the best among Aussie batters with at least 500-plus runs.
Maxwell surpasses 50 sixes in India
As per Cricbuzz, Maxwell has now smashed the most sixes by a visiting batter in India (across formats). He was tied with Kieron Pollard (49 sixes each) and has now become the first visitor to register 50 or more sixes. He slammed two sixes versus the Lankans in Lucknow.
Maiden World Cup duck for Smith
Steve Smith went on to register a five-ball duck versus SL. He clocked his maiden World Cup duck. In 148 ODI matches now, the senior cricketer owns eight ducks.
Madushanka clocks a major record for SL
Dilshan Madushanka managed 3/38 versus Australia. He was sensational with the ball. He has now registered the second-best figures by a Lankan bowler against Australia at the ODI World Cup. Chaminda Vaas leads the show with 3/34. He is also the fourth Lankan bowler with a World Cup 3-wicket haul versus Australia.