Australia 7-334 (Finch 153, Smith 73, Maxwell 46 not out) def Sri Lanka 247 in 45.5 overs (Karuwaratne 97, Perera 52, Starc 4-55, Richardson 3-47) by 87 runs at the Oval.
London: Captain Aaron Finch blazed a century and Mitchell Starc responded with a stunning burst but Australia were forced to withstand an almighty scare against Sri Lanka to post their fourth win at the World Cup and have one hand on a semi-final berth.
Finch was superb in crunching 153 off 132 deliveries, the opener equalling a one-day international career high and delivering the best knock by an Australian captain at a World Cup, besting Ricky Ponting's 143 not out in 2003, to help guide his side to 7-334 off 50 overs at the Oval.
This should have been more and Australia appeared someway to regretting a lower-order collapse and the lack of a frontline spinner when Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karuwaratne (97 off 108 balls) and Kusal Perera (52 off 36) thundered a century stand off 77 balls. But they were unable to sustain the charge, with spearhead Starc (4-55) claiming 3-8 off six balls at one stage as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 247 in 45.5 overs, giving Australia an 87-run win.
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As he did against the West Indies and against Pakistan, Starc stood firm when he was most needed.
The defending champions have four matches remaining – against Bangladesh in Nottingham on Thursday, England and New Zealand at Lord's and South Africa in Manchester. Two more wins almost certainly will be enough to reach the knock-out stage.
Karuwaratne, adopting a style generally foreign to him, raced to his half-century off 43 balls, while fellow left-hander Perera – who had the look of countryman and former thrashing machine Sanath Jayasuriya – got there in only 33.
Australian players celebrate taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's Lahiru Thirimanne.Credit:AP
Starc and fellow quicks Pat Cummins and Jason Behrendorff – the latter handed his first game of the tournament with Nathan Coulter-Nile rested – were all left red faced in their opening spells, giving Sri Lanka a considerable advantage had rain fallen and the Duckworth Lewis System been needed.
The breakthrough came when Starc, in the second over of his second spell, speared a delivery through the dangerous Perera. The Ausralians were able to intensify the pressure, led by Glenn Maxwell (0-45) who, given the role of frontline spinner with Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon questionably overlooked, came on in the 11th over and provided a steady hand.
Behrendorff responded to some early tap to have Lahiru Thirimanne (16 off 26) caught behind, and from there Sri Lanka lost 6-69, Starc claiming three of the wickets wickets, including the dangerous Kusal Mendis (30 off 37).
Finch may believe he has no hope of an Ashes recall but his brilliant form in recent months – capped with a century against Sri Lanka last night – suggests he should be considered.
Aaron Finch enjoys the moment as he reached a century against Sri Lanka.Credit:AP
Frustrated after being dismissed for 82 against Pakistan on Wednesday, he responded with his first century of the World Cup, and 14th of his one-day international career, in a largely brutal knock at a venue knows so well through his time with county side Surrey.
This was the seventh time he passed 50 in his past 10 innings. He is clearly a man in form with selectors yet to decide who will partner David Warner come the Ashes opener on August 1.
Finch was dropped from the Test side last summer when India's attack on his pads proved overwhelming but the Victorian has worked diligently since to ease that issue.
While the Kookaburra ball is used in this tournament, and not the English Dukes which are likely to swing and seam more, Finch has a good case to present, his century coming off 97 balls, and providing several sumptuous drives.
He shared in a 133-run stand off 124 balls with Steve Smith (73 off 59 balls), and had former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie, now coach of county side Sussex, praising his technique.
Finch confirmed his century with his fourth six – this time lofting spinner Milinda Siriwardana over long off.
Usman Khawaja (10 off 20), having returned to No.3 in the order, failed to make an impression before he swept de Silva to deep mid-wicket. His shock at being dismissed was palpable.
Khawaja is in a battleRead More – Source
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