By Srian Obeyesekere

Australia defeated Sri Lanka by 6 wickets chasing down 209 guided by a Player of the Match 77 by Ryan Hicks in an Under-19 World Cup game yesterday. Openers Harry Dixon (49) and Sam Konstas (23) gave their side a fine start posting 49 runs.

Sri Lanka, opting to bat on winning the toss, scored a compatible 208 in 49.5 overs with Dinura Kalupahana top scoring with 64 off 78 balls with 9 boundaries and 2 sixes after Australia grabbed three wickets in the first 15 overs that of Pulindu Perera for a duck, skipper Sineth Jayawardena for 16 and Supun Waduge for 17. Kalupahana figured in a rear guard action together with Ravishan de Silva who was the next best contributor with 30 followed by Sharujan Shanmuganathan 21.

CHIEF SCORES:

Sri Lanka U-19: 208 (49.5 Overs)

(Dinura Kalupahana 64, Ravishan de Silva 30, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 21, Supun Waduge 17, Sineth Jayawardena 16, Callum Vidler 3/28, Mahli Beardman 2/30, Tom Campbell 2/47)

Australia U-19 211/4 (48.5 Overs)

(Ryan Hicks 77, Harry Dixon 49, Tom Campbell 33, Sam Konstas 23, Vishwa Lahiru 2/24, Malsha Tharupathi 1/39, Sineth Jayawardena 1/32)