Jon Pierik at the Oval assesses Australia's individual performances in their World Cup victory against Sri Lanka.
David Warner 5 – (26 off 48 balls)
Hard to work out what role the former vice-captain is playing. Was not the aggressive figure we saw in Somerset against Pakistan, but rather the circumspect figure of earlier in the tournament. A strike rate of 77 has some questioning if he is hurting the side when going at this rate. Was dismissed here when, having rocked on to the back foot, was fooled by a skidding delivery from off-spinner Dhananjaya de Silva.
Identity: David Warner walks off after being bowled in the clash with Sri Lanka.Credit:AP
Aaron Finch 9.5 – (153 off 132 balls)
Equalled his ODI career high, edged Ricky Ponting (140 not out) for the highest total by an Australian captain at a World Cup, and delivered the first century by an Australian captain in an ODI at the Oval since Greg Chappell in 1977. Began in a rush, then went 47 balls without a boundary before turning it on to reach his century – including a boundary and two sixes off consecutive deliveries. Has been in excellent touch since the Pakistan series in April and made up for missing out on a ton when he fell for 82 against Pakistan in Somerset last week.
Usman Khawaja 4 – (10 off 20 balls)
Returned to No.3 in the order, having been at No.4 and No.6 in the past two games. Hard not to feel for the left-hander, who is struggling for momentum. Was shocked to be dismissed when he swept de Silva only to pick out Udana at deep mid-wicket. Now faces a nervous wait, for either he or Shaun Marsh are likely to be axed when an all-rounder returns.
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Steve Smith 8 – (73 off 59 balls)
Came to the crease in the 23rd over with the contest delicately placed but got a move on quickly, sharing in a stand of 173 off 124 balls with Finch. His 50 came off 46 balls and he was able to find the boundary in all parts of the ground until he was beaten by a Malinga yorker.
Glenn Maxwell 7 – (46 not out off 25 balls)
Finally got going after a slow start to the tournament. Smacked 22 off one over and finished with five boundaries and a six while batting with a lower order that fell apart. His slow bowling was pivotal, conceding only 45 in ostensibly the role as frontline spinner.
Shaun Marsh 2 – (3 off 9 balls)
Needed a big score to put pressure on Khawaja but that did not come. Instead, he was caught attempting a heave to deep mid wicket, also leaving his spot in trouble when an all-rounder gets the nod.
Alex Carey 6 – (4 off 3 balls)
Has provided crucial runs in the back end of an innings but could not supply that this time when he was run out. However, was clean behind the stumps with four catches – and that's his primary role.
Pat Cummins 7 – (0 off 1 and 2-38 off 7.5 overs)
Was stunned when his opening tRead More – Source
Jon Pierik at the Oval assesses Australia's individual performances in their World Cup victory against Sri Lanka.
David Warner 5 – (26 off 48 balls)
Hard to work out what role the former vice-captain is playing. Was not the aggressive figure we saw in Somerset against Pakistan, but rather the circumspect figure of earlier in the tournament. A strike rate of 77 has some questioning if he is hurting the side when going at this rate. Was dismissed here when, having rocked on to the back foot, was fooled by a skidding delivery from off-spinner Dhananjaya de Silva.
Identity: David Warner walks off after being bowled in the clash with Sri Lanka.Credit:AP
Aaron Finch 9.5 – (153 off 132 balls)
Equalled his ODI career high, edged Ricky Ponting (140 not out) for the highest total by an Australian captain at a World Cup, and delivered the first century by an Australian captain in an ODI at the Oval since Greg Chappell in 1977. Began in a rush, then went 47 balls without a boundary before turning it on to reach his century – including a boundary and two sixes off consecutive deliveries. Has been in excellent touch since the Pakistan series in April and made up for missing out on a ton when he fell for 82 against Pakistan in Somerset last week.
Usman Khawaja 4 – (10 off 20 balls)
Returned to No.3 in the order, having been at No.4 and No.6 in the past two games. Hard not to feel for the left-hander, who is struggling for momentum. Was shocked to be dismissed when he swept de Silva only to pick out Udana at deep mid-wicket. Now faces a nervous wait, for either he or Shaun Marsh are likely to be axed when an all-rounder returns.
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Steve Smith 8 – (73 off 59 balls)
Came to the crease in the 23rd over with the contest delicately placed but got a move on quickly, sharing in a stand of 173 off 124 balls with Finch. His 50 came off 46 balls and he was able to find the boundary in all parts of the ground until he was beaten by a Malinga yorker.
Glenn Maxwell 7 – (46 not out off 25 balls)
Finally got going after a slow start to the tournament. Smacked 22 off one over and finished with five boundaries and a six while batting with a lower order that fell apart. His slow bowling was pivotal, conceding only 45 in ostensibly the role as frontline spinner.
Shaun Marsh 2 – (3 off 9 balls)
Needed a big score to put pressure on Khawaja but that did not come. Instead, he was caught attempting a heave to deep mid wicket, also leaving his spot in trouble when an all-rounder gets the nod.
Alex Carey 6 – (4 off 3 balls)
Has provided crucial runs in the back end of an innings but could not supply that this time when he was run out. However, was clean behind the stumps with four catches – and that's his primary role.
Pat Cummins 7 – (0 off 1 and 2-38 off 7.5 overs)
Was stunned when his opening tRead More – Source
