Australia Bounces Back: Zampa and Inglis Shine in World Cup Victory Over Sri Lanka
Australia’s World Cup campaign appeared to be in peril as they dropped their first two matches in the tournament, but they have now made a stunning comeback, defeating Sri Lanka by five wickets in a thrilling encounter in Lucknow. This victory breathes new life into the Australian team’s aspirations for the World Cup, thanks to standout performances from Adam Zampa and Josh Inglis with both the ball and the bat.
The match saw its share of ups and downs for Australia. Losing the toss and struggling to contain Sri Lanka’s opening partnership, which featured Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka, who put on a formidable 125-run stand, didn’t make things easy. However, the Australian team showed resilience in the face of adversity.
Chasing a target of 210 after bowling Sri Lanka out, Australia faced some early batting setbacks, with David Warner and Steve Smith falling in quick succession. It was Dilshan Madushanka who did the damage. But as the saying goes, “cometh the hour, cometh the man,” and in this case, it was Adam Zampa and Josh Inglis who rose to the occasion.
Zampa, who had been under some scrutiny for his recent performances, delivered when it mattered most, taking four crucial wickets for 47 runs. His performance, combined with Pat Cummins’ two wickets for 32 runs, triggered a spectacular Sri Lankan collapse, with nine wickets falling for just 52 runs. This turnaround was instrumental in Australia’s victory.
Inglis, the wicketkeeper-batsman, played a career-best knock in One Day Internationals (ODIs), scoring 58 runs from 59 balls. His mature innings held the Australian innings together and ensured that they achieved the target. Inglis showcased patience and composure, recognizing that a low target required a steady approach.
Mitch Marsh, who took on the role of the makeshift opening batter, also made a significant contribution, scoring 52 runs. His forceful half-century set the tone for Australia’s chase, and it was an encouraging sign for the team.
Glenn Maxwell, known for his explosive batting, provided a late cameo, scoring 31 runs from just 21 balls. By the time Inglis was dismissed, Australia needed only 18 runs to secure the win, which they achieved in the 36th over, showing their intent to boost their net run rate.
Australia’s victory not only keeps their World Cup campaign alive but also puts Sri Lanka in a precarious position, as they have now lost their first three matches in the tournament and face an uphill battle to progress beyond the pool stage.
Pat Cummins, who was both the captain and a key bowler for Australia, played a pivotal role by taking early wickets, including the crucial breakthrough of Nissanka. David Warner’s spectacular catch to dismiss Kusal Mendis showcased Australia’s fielding prowess.
The Australian team also exploited the lack of depth in Sri Lanka’s batting order, with Charith Asalanka being the only player outside the openers to reach double figures.
The match wasn’t without its share of drama, including wind-related interruptions and Mitchell Starc’s Mankad warnings to Kusal Perera. However, Australia’s resilience and determination ultimately triumphed, marking a significant turnaround in their World Cup campaign.
Adam Zampa’s exceptional performance with the ball and Josh Inglis’ mature innings have breathed new life into Australia’s World Cup campaign, and they now have a fighting chance to make it to the knockout stage. With their recent victory, the Australian team has not only found their winning form but has also put the cricketing world on notice that they are a force to be reckoned with in this tournament.
