Aussies take step in right direction for Cup campaign

Glenn Maxwell claims Australia have taken a significant step forward facing spin on the sub-continent after he powered the tourists to their best ever chase against Sri Lanka in a one-day international.

Maxwell starred in Australia's rain-affected two-wicket win in Tuesday's series opener, thumping an unbeaten 80 off 51 balls to help his team haul in a reduced target of 282 from 42 overs.

The knock came in Maxwell's first ODI since December 2020; the allrounder keeping his cool as wickets fell around him to finish off the game with nine balls to spare.

Australia continually put themselves in front of the Pallekele contest, only for limping spinner Wanindu Hasaranga to keep Sri Lanka in it with 4-58. 

Left-arm tweaker Dunith Wellalage also claimed two wickets on debut and mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana one on a slow used pitch.

But Maxwell pointed to the fact the team did not fall apart chasing in spinning conditions was a step forward ahead of next year's World Cup in India.

Marcus Stoinis and Aaron Finch both hit 44 and Steve Smith 53, as Australia wobbled a few times but were able to regroup.

"They get a couple of wickets and all of a sudden the whole momentum of the game changes and the crowd gets involved and it can be a very daunting place," Maxwell said.

"But to be able to combat that is a really good sign that we're moving in the right direction.

"I know in the past we've had our troubles on these sorts of surfaces, but I feel like we're making a step in the right direction with our middle order performing."

After being in control at 2-126, 4-189 and eventually 5-228 before Hasaranga dismissed Alex Carey and Pat Cummins in one over, Maxwell turned on the big show.

The 33-year-old pumped seven sixes in his 51-ball knock, pulling powerfully through the legside whenever the hosts got their lengths wrong.

He took 15 off Theekshana in the over after Hasaranga's double blow, and then scored 27 of the final 28 runs after Ashton Agar became the eighth Australian to fall.

"That was an extraordinary innings by Maxwell," captain Finch said.

"It was pure class. He showed a lot of skills and game smarts."

But it wasn't all positive for Australia.

Agar could be added to their growing injury ward, needing scans on his side and threatening to join Mitchell Starc and Mitch Marsh on the sideline with Kane Richardson and Sean Abbott already sent home.

Questions will also be asked of their three-paceman bowling set-up ahead of the World Cup, after Mitchell Swepson was left out with Adam Zampa on paternity leave.

Agar (2-49) and Maxwell both bowled 10 overs each, while Marnus Labuschagne was called upon for three late.

Australia's quicks struggled to get anything out of the slow pitch, as Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Jhye Richardson went for a combined 1-166 from their 26 overs.

Meanwhile Hasaranga's brave effort with the ball came after he hit 37 from 19 balls late for Sri Lanka, while Kusal Mendis also struck 86 from to help them to 7-300 after being 0-115 early.

Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka, 2022

June 7: Australia won first T20 by 10 wickets

June 8: Australia won second T20 by three wickets

June 11: Sri Lanka won third T20 by four wickets

Sri Lanka ODI squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Niroshan Dickwella, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Madushanka, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan

Australia ODI squad: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

June 14: Australia won by two wickets (DLS)

June 16: Second ODI, Kandy, 7pm AEST

June 19: Third ODI, Colombo, 7pm AEST

June 21: Fourth ODI, Colombo, 7pm AEST

June 24: Fifth ODI, Colombo, 7pm AEST

Sri Lanka Test squad (provisional): Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamika Karunaratne, Ramesh Mendis, Mohamed Shiraz, Shiran Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lakshitha Rasanjana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suminda Lakshan

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

June 29 - July 3: First Test, Galle, 2.30pm AEST

July 8-12: Second Test, Galle, 2.30pm AEST

All Sri Lanka v Australia international fixtures will be screened live on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports

Australia A fixtures

Australia A squad: Scott Boland, Aaron Hardie, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Henry Hunt, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Nic Maddinson, Nathan McAndrew, Todd Murphy, Jimmy Peirson, Josh Philippe, Matt Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Mark Steketee

Sri Lanka A one-day squad: Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Niroshan Dickwella, Lahiru Udara, Lasith Croospulle, Oshada Fernando, Pabasara Waduge, Kamindu Mendis, Ashen Bandara, Janitha Liyanage, Sahan Arachchi, Pulina Tharanga, Dunith Wellalage, Dananjaya Lakshan, Shiran Fernando (will not play due to injury), Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan, Nishan Madushka, Ashen Daniel,Nisala Tharaka

June 8: Australia A won by seven wickets

June 10: Sri Lanka A won by four wickets

June 14-17: first-class tour match v Sri Lanka A, Hambantota

June 21-24: first-class tour match v Sri Lanka A, Hambantota