Golden Green powers Australia A to first up win

Test allrounder Cameron Green sent selectors a timely reminder of limited-overs credentials with an unbeaten century to guide Australia A to a thumping seven-wicket victory against their Sri Lanka counterparts.

After being sent in by 'A' skipper Alex Carey, the hosts posted a competitive 7-297 from their 50 overs at SSC Grounds with Australia left to rue a handful of dropped catches in what was a sloppy fielding performance in Colombo's sweltering heat on Wednesday.

But Australia's Test-quality middle-order made the ensuring chase look easy as Green and Carey shared an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 116 to see the tourists home with 14 balls to spare.

Image Id: 75BB5838126E4C31A5D5DF863A5C8354 Image Caption: Cameron Green brought up his second List A ton off 93 balls // SLC

Former Test opener Matthew Renshaw also contributed 68 off 69 balls in a 121-run partnership with Green.

Josh Philippe, who also has 10 T20I and three ODI caps for the senior Australia side, was the only batter to miss out, bowled by 19-year-old left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage for five.

South Australian opener Henry Hunt got the visitors off to a good start with 36 from 45 balls before Green took control of the match.

The 23-year-old right-hander, who didn't bowl during the first innings of the match, crunched nine boundaries and three sixes in his 111-ball 119 not out.

The West Australian, who played in all three of Australia's recent ODIs in Pakistan and is in the squad for this tour's five-match 50-over series, was especially destructive with the pull shot through mid-wicket, while Carey (52 off 51) showed his class with several delicate ramps and reverse lap shots off the Sri Lanka A fast bowlers.

The Aussie Test and ODI keeper brought up his half century with a four off the second last ball of the match before sealing the win with a single to cover the following delivery.

Earlier, young Victorian off-spinner Todd Murphy, a bolter in the 'A' squad with only two first-class matches under his belt, was the pick of the Australian bowlers with 2-53 from his 10 overs.

Image Id: D9D43ABEED5C4CA0B0E8149674530048 Image Caption: Todd Murphy and Australia A celebrate the wicket of Niroshan Dickwella // SLC

Mark Steketee, who toured with the Test squad in Pakistan in March this year, picked up a wicket in the first over of the match when Lasith Croospulle edged behind to Carey.

The Queensland quick was Australia's most expensive bowler with 2-72 from his 10 overs, while Aaron Hardie (1-52) and Matt Kuhnemann each picked up a wicket.

Sri Lanka A captain Dhananjaya de Silva, a 42-Test veteran, was the top scorer for the hosts with 68, while Oshada Fernando, also with 15 Test caps, contributed 65.

The two sides meet again in another 50-over contest at the same ground at 2pm AEST on Friday. A full match replay from today's match can be viewed here.

Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka, 2022

Sri Lanka T20 squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lahiru Madushanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lakshan Sandakan. Standby: Jeffrey Vandersay, Niroshan Dickwella

Australia T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner, Matthew Wade

June 7: Australia won by 10 wickets

June 8: Second T20, Colombo, 11.30pm AEST

June 11: Third T20, Kandy, 11.30pm AEST

Sri Lanka ODI squad (provisional): Dasun Shanaka (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya De Silva, Ashen Bandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Sahan Arachchi, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Madushanka, Ramesh Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama

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

June 14: First ODI, Kandy, 7pm AEST

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, Todd Murphy, Jimmy Peirson, Josh Philippe, Matt Renshaw, Jhye Richardson, 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: Second one-day game v Sri Lanka A, Colombo

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

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