- Leg-spinner Adam Zampa snared 4/47 from his eight overs
- Dismissals included Kusal Mendis & Sadeera Samarawickrama
- Aussies next face Pakistan in Bangalore on Friday, 7.30pm AEDT
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa has breathed life into Australia’s ailing ODI World Cup campaign, snaring four wickets in their much-needed win over Sri Lanka.
Zampa, 31, was poor in earlier defeats against India and South Africa, but roared back to life in Lucknow.
He snared 4/47 from eight overs, including the key dismissals of skipper Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama.
Post game, Zampa revealed he has been battling a back complaint which has hindered his bowling in India.
‘I’ve been sporting a bit of a back spasm for the last couple of days so I tried to get through this one,’ he said when quizzed on why he received treatment from physiotherapists when in the field.
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa has breathed life into Australia ‘s ailing World Cup campaign, snaring four wickets in their much needed win over Sri Lanka
Post game, Zampa revealed he has been battling a back complaint which has hindered his bowling over in India (pictured right, with skipper Pat Cummins)
‘My role [in the team] is to take wickets, and I haven’t been doing that.
‘I feel like I could be doing better, but it’s nice to be on the right end of a result.’
Skipper Pat Cummins also chipped in with two poles, as the Aussies rolled Sri Lanka for just 209.
After an imposing start, the Lions lost 9/52 in chaotic scenes and Cummins’ men chased down the total in the 35th over, with Josh Inglis (58) and opener Mitchell Marsh (52) in good touch at the crease.
‘Josh Inglis was outstanding,’ former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson said in commentary.
‘He repaid the faith of the selectors and his captain to come in at No. 5 at a crucial time for Australia in this World Cup.
‘He looked so content and comfortable at the crease, in only his second game in a World Cup.’
Game changers Glenn Maxwell (31 not out) and Marcus Stoinis (20 not out) also enjoyed some time at the crease, finding the boundary rope with ease as the Aussies avoided a disastrous early tournament exit.
Australia next face Pakistan in Bangalore on Friday, with play scheduled to begin at 7.30pm AEDT.
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