Five-time champions Australia get their first win at Cricket World Cup, beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets

LUCKNOW, India: Five-time champions Australia secured their first win at the Cricket World Cup with a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka on Monday with almost 15 overs to spare and after a rain delay, high winds and dust from a sand storm.

Adam Zampa spun out Sri Lanka with 4-47 in eight overs as he helped trigger a Sri Lankan batting collapse. Cruising at 125-0 at one point, the 1996 champions crashed to 209 all out in 43.3 overs, losing all 10 wickets for just 84 runs. Openers Pathum Nissanka (61) and Kusal Perera (78) were the only significant scorers.

In reply, Australia rode on half-centuries from Josh Inglis and Mitch Marsh, as they reached 215-5 in 35.2 overs. Inglis top-scored for Australia with 58 runs off 59 balls, including five fours and a six.

After straight losses to host India and South Africa, Australia moved off the bottom of the 10-team table to eighth. They’re level on two points with fifth-place England, Afghanistan and Bangladesh but trail those teams on net run-rate.

“After the first two losses, there was definitely a flat feeling ... We all felt we could do our roles better,” said Zampa, who was player of the match. “But if we get on a roll, then anything can happen. It’s a World Cup so we can get on a roll.”

Sri Lanka are ninth after their seventh consecutive loss to Australia in World Cups, and a third straight loss in this edition.

Skipper Kusal Mendis called correctly as Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat. Mendis took over captaincy duties from Dasun Shanaka, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a thigh injury.

Sri Lanka have lost to South Africa and to Pakistan in high-scoring games.

The match started in Lucknow within hours of the International Olympic Committee voting