Aussies win ODI opener vs. Sri Lanka by 3 wickets

SHOT: Australia's Aaron Fintch plays a shot as Sri Lanka's Kusal Perera watches during their first one day international cricket match in Colombo Sunday. (AP)

COLOMBO: Half-centuries from Aaron Finch and skipper Steve Smith helped Australia pull off a tricky chase to defeat a resilient Sri Lanka by three wickets in the first one-day international in Colombo on Sunday.
Australia, who suffered their first series whitewash against the hosts in the three Tests, chased down 228 in 46.5 overs at the R. Premadasa Stadium to lead the five-match ODI series 1-0.
Pacers James Faulkner and Mitchell Starc, who became the fastest to reach 100 wickets in his 52nd match, also played their part with seven wickets between them after Australia elected to bowl first.
Opener Finch, who scored a quickfire 56, gave Australia a brisk start despite the early wicket of David Warner, who was out for eight after a scratchy 17-ball stay at the crease.
Finch took on the Sri Lankan bowlers with ease in the first 10 overs of the mandatory powerplay as he regularly cleared the infield to notch up seven boundaries and two sixes during his 46-ball knock.
Finch, who registered his 12th ODI half-century, fell to debutant left-arm spinner Amila Aponso after edging the ball to Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews at first slip.
On-field umpire Aleem Dar ruled Finch not out before Sri Lanka successfully reviewed the decision in their favor much to the disappointment of the batsman.
Mathews though could not hold on to a sharp chance at slip, giving Smith a new life at 15 off Dilruwan Perera and the batsman made the most of it.
Another debutant spinner Lakshan Sandakan got his maiden ODI wicket in Matthew Wade, who had worked hard for his 26 which came off 34 deliveries to put Australia in trouble at 128/3.
But Smith, who top-scored with a dogged 58, put together a 62-run partnership with George Bailey (39) to thwart Sri Lanka’s spin attack on a sluggish pitch which was taking vicious turn.
Off-spinner Dilruwan, who ended with three wickets, claimed Smith in the 38th over with Australia needing another 38 to win the match.
The visitors lost three more wickets after that but bowling heroes Starc, on five, and Faulkner, also on five, remained unbeaten as Australia recorded their highest ODI run chase in Sri Lanka.
Earlier Faulkner and Starc restricted Sri Lanka to 227 for eight despite half-centuries from Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal.
Starc, who took three wickets, struck with the fourth ball of the innings to have opener Kusal Perera trudging back to the pavilion for one.
Veteran batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mendis, who scored 67, then came together for a 42-run second-wicket partnership to bring some stability to the innings.


Wet outfield wipes out Day 3 in Durban
A wet outfield prevented any play on the third day of the first Test between South Africa and New Zealand at Kingsmead on Sunday.
New Zealand remained on 15 for two in reply to South Africa's first innings total of 263.
Rain, which started falling at lunchtime on Saturday, continued through Saturday and into Sunday morning. Although the sun was shining at the scheduled resumption of play, there were extensive wet, muddy areas on a field which was re-seeded in June and was flooded by a freak storm in July.
After an inspection by the umpires at midday (1000 GMT), it was announced that underfoot conditions remained treacherous, with water coming up to the surface.
Following a further inspection two hours later, it was decided conditions would not improve in time for play to get under way.