Wisden
First ODI

Australia in Sri Lanka, 2011-12

Peter Lalor

At Pallekele, August 10, 2011 (day/night). Australia won by seven wickets. Toss: Sri Lanka.

Johnson marked his 100th one-day international with career-best figures as Australia recorded their first victory of the tour. Only Waqar Younis, with six for 26 for Pakistan at Sharjah in April 1990, had returned a better analysis against Sri Lanka, while Johnson's figures were the fourth-best by an Australian. Brought into the attack in the 15th over under cloudy skies, Johnson reduced the hosts to 117 for seven on a good track in an initial seven-over burst full of clever variations, then returned to end Randiv's resistance in a double-wicket maiden. Lee wrapped up the innings to become the second Australian, after Glenn McGrath, to take 350 one-day international wickets, and the visitors never looked back after Watson hit six sixes in a 51-ball stay. That took the pressure off Ponting and Clarke, both back after sitting out the Twenty20 matches: they added stately half- cnturies to complete victory with 11.5 overs to spare.

Man of the Match: M. G. Johnson.

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