While cricket is a sport loaded with excitement and unprecedented developments, it is not every day that an astonishing catch changes the course of the game on its head. Something of a similar sort happened during the opening ODI encounter between Sri Lanka and Australia when Asitha Fernando outmatched all odds to send Jake Fraser McGurk back to the pavilion. The dismissal not only shocked the cricketing world but changed the entire Australian approach towards the run chase as the visitors saw defeat in sight for the first time during their current tour to Sri Lanka.
Asitha Fernando stunned Jake Fraser McGurk to mark the end of his innings
The incident occurred during the 3rd over of the Australian innings. The visitors were already suffering since opener Matthew Short was dismissed by Asitha in the very first over of the run-chase on a duck. McGurk and top-order batter Cooper Connolly were trying to bring their team back into the game, but fate had decided otherwise for Australians this time around.
On the 4th delivery of Asitha’s over, a short-length ball came as a shock to McGurk, who had already committed himself on the front foot. The explosive Australian opener tried to adjust to the length of the ball but was too late in doing so as the ball took an edge from his bat while he was trying to close its face and went straight to Asitha who took a remarkable follow-through catch to dismiss McGurk.
The dismissal was consequential since it gave Australia another major setback and turned the tide of the match in Sri Lanka’s favor. The visitors were out of options they were not able to recover from the early breakthroughs throughout the run-chase.
Here’s the video
Asitha strikes for a second time!
Now it’s Fraser-McGurk who goes, offering a leading edge back to Asitha #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/bIjusK0XRt
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 12, 2025
Also Watch: Steve Smith’s lightning reflexes send Avishka Fernando packing in the 1st ODI
Sri Lanka’s determined bowling effort secured a win against Australia
In the game, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first. While at one point it appeared as if the horror show from the Test series continued for the home side a valiant 127-run knock from skipper Charith Asalanka in adverse situations saved the day for Sri Lanka with the bat and paved the way for the team to reach a competitive total of 214 runs in 46 overs.
In response, Australia appeared on the back foot ever since the beginning of their innings. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals for the visitors who could not cope in front of a determined and relentless attack from Sri Lanka’s bowling unit. Maheesh Theekshana was the star for the home side with the bowl as he clinched 4 wickets. Other bowlers like Dunith Wellalage and Fernando also fairly supported him by taking 2 wickets each.
For Australia, wicket-keeper Alex Carey and all-rounder Aaron Hardie did try to put up some resistance but failed to capitalize on the hard-built momentum. The visitors were bowled out on 165 runs in 33.5 overs, resulting in a win for Sri Lanka by 49 runs.
Also Watch: Steve Smith grabs a stunner at slips to dismiss Janith Liyanage in the 1st ODI
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