Glenn Maxwell slammed 80 not out off 51 balls to power Australia to a two-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the first ODI, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, with nine balls to spare. Australia needed 54 runs with five wickets in hand when Wanindu Hasaranga (4-58) struck twice with consecutive balls, but Maxwell took charge, dominating partnerships of 26 with Ashton Agar (3) and an unbroken 28 with Jhye Richardson (1*) to see Australia home.
Rain stopped play when Australia were 72/2 in 12.4 overs, chasing 301. Their target was adjusted to 282 in 44 overs. Aaron Finch (44) had fallen just before the break, but Steven Smith (53) continued, adding 54 with Marnus Labuschagne (24) before both fell in quick succession. With the asking rate mounting, Marcus Stoinis (44 in 31 balls) and Alex Carey (21 in 22) got quick runs before Hasaranga removed both as well as Pat Cummins.
Earlier, the Sri Lankan openers, Danushka Gunathilaka (55 in 53 balls) and Pathum Nissanka (56 in 68), added 115 before falling in quick succession. Kusal Mendis (86* in 87) stayed put, adding 77 with Charith Asalanka (37 in 42), while Hasaranga (37* in 19) smashed six fours to take Sri Lanka to 300/7.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka 300/7 in 50 overs (Kusal Mendis 86*; Marnus Labuschagne 2-19) lost to Australia 282/8 in 42.3 overs (Glenn Maxwell 80*; Wanindu Hasaranga 4-58) by 2 wickets with 9 balls to spare (DLS Method). Player of the Match: Glenn Maxwell.