Australia cricketer David Warner pulled off an excellent one-handed catch during the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Monday to dismiss Dhananjaya de Silva, an attempt which left bowler Ashton Agar in disbelief.
Also Read: Maxwell Stars to Give Australia 1-0 Lead After Tense Chase
Struggling to get his innings going, De Silva tried to chip one over the in-field hoping for a four in the 26th over. Warner, who was stationed at mid-on, took a couple of steps to his right and timed his leap well to grab the ball with his left-hand, sending the Sri Lankan batter back to the dressing room.
Agar instinctively began celebrating the dismissal before it dawned on him what Warner had just pulled off as the left-arm spinner had both his hands on his head. De Silva was out on 7.
Watch the catch below:
Brilliant catch by David Warner ♥️#SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/PBC3xV5P6D
– Umair Khan (@UmairKhWorld) June 14, 2022
Agar finished with figures of 2/49 from his 10 overs.
Meanwhile, thanks to brilliant half-centuries from their top-three and a late blitz from Wanindu Hasaranga, the hosts posted a good total of 300/7 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium after opting to bat first. Pathum Nissanka made 56 while Danushka Gunathilaka scored 55.
No 3 Kusal Mendis was their top-scorer with 86 off 87 before Hasarana belted 37 off 19 with the help of six fours leading the late flourish.
Chasing 301, Australia lost opener Warner for a three-ball duck before Steve Smith (53) and Aaron Finch (44) led a quick recovery. A 90-minute rain-break meant the innings was reduced to 44 overs and the tourists’ target was revised to 282 under DLS.
Glenn Maxwell then played superbly, hitting an unbeaten 51-ball 80 with the help of six fours and as many sixes to guide Australia to a two-wicket win. Australia now lead 1-0 in the five-match series.
“It was a good game of cricket, that innings by Maxwell was pure class. Showed a lot of skill. We were one wicket behind where we would have liked to be towards the end, but that was an extraordinary innings by Maxwell, a few more wickets in hand would have been ideal,” Aussie skipper Finch said at the post-match presentation.
The second ODI will be played on Thursday at the same venue.
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