Australia’s Champions Trophy build-up begins with SL defeat

First one-day international, Colombo

Sri Lanka 214 (46 overs): Asalanka 127; Abbott 3-61

Australia 165 (33.5 overs): Carey 41; Theekshana 4-40

Sri Lanka won by 49 runs

Australia’s difficult build-up to the Champions Trophy was hit further by a 49-run defeat by Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Mitchell Starc became the latest player to withdraw from the tournament earlier on Wednesday and the 50-over world champions were then bowled out for 165 in the first of two matches.

Having dismissed Sri Lanka for 215 despite a century from Charith Asalanka, Australia lost opener Matt Short for a duck lbw to the second ball of the chase.

Youngsters Jake Fraser-McGurk and Cooper Connolly followed for two and three respectively and Steve Smith, Australia’s captain for the Champions Trophy in the absence of injured skipper Pat Cummins, followed for 12.

The tourists rebuilt to 83-4 but Marnus Labuschagne fell lbw to spinner Maheesh Theekshana for 15 and Alex Carey was caught in the next over for 41.

Sean Abbott and Spencer Johnson were among those added to the 15-strong Champions Trophy squad, with Starc’s withdrawal following injuries to Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh, plus Marcus Stoinis’ retirement.

Starc’s absence further weakens Australia’s pace attack for the Champions Trophy, with Cummins and Josh Hazlewood already ruled out.

Abbott took 3-61 and Johnson 2-44 in Sri Lanka’s 215 all out, as Asalanka dragged the hosts to a decent score with 127 from 126 balls.

Asalanka came in at 30-3 and soon witnessed his side slip to 55-5 but his 14 fours and six sixes boosted the score. All-rounder Dunith Wellalage was the next highest scorer with 30.