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Australia get reality check just before ICC Champions Trophy; face biggest ODI defeat against Asian side

Australia get reality check just before ICC Champions Trophy; face biggest ODI defeat against Asian side

Sri Lanka have handed a 2-0 cleansweep to Australia right before the ICC Champions Trophy.

Every time there is an ICC tournament around the corner, Australia’s name always comes up as a perennial favourite. But are they really favourites this time around for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025? They are already missing their “big 3,” including captain Pat Cummins, but now have been hammered quite superbly against a team that is not even in the ICC Champions Trophy. Sri Lanka, led by Charith Asalanka, have rolled the Aussie 2-0 in the ODI series, ending the bilateral with a stupendous 174-run defeat.

Kusal Mendis, Asalanka decimate Australia

After clinching the first ODI, Sri Lanka dominated Australia in their second tie as well, thanks to a stellar batting performance. Kusal Mendis smashed a century, while captain Charith Asalanka and Janith Liyanage added a rapid 66 runs for the fifth wicket, helping their team post an impressive 281/5. Asalanka remained unbeaten on 78 off 66 balls. Mendis was quite superb, particularly against spin as he tormented Glenn Maxwell and Zampa.

In response, Australia’s batting line-up crumbled under pressure. Pacer Asith Fernando dismissed the top three batters within the first seven overs, and spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage wreaked havoc on the middle order, restricting Australia’s score. Steve Smith top-scored with a modest 29. Hasaranga and Wellalage combined together to take 7 wickets for just 58 runs.

Biggest defeats by Australia in ODIs (by runs)

PositionTeamOppositionGroundStart DateMargin
1AUSENGNottingham19 Jun 2018242 runs
2AUSNZAdelaide27 Jan 1986206 runs
3AUSSACape Town3 Mar 2006196 runs
4AUSENGLord’s27 Sep 2024186 runs
5AUSSLColombo14 Feb 2025174 runs
6AUSWIW.A.C.A4 Jan 1987164 runs

Biggest defeats by Australia in ODIs against Asian teams (by runs)

PositionTeamOppositionGroundStart DateMargin
1AUSSLColombo14 Feb 2025174 runs
2AUSINDChelmsford20 Jun 1983118 runs
3AUSINDIndore31 Mar 2001118 runs
4AUSINDW.A.C.A8 Dec 1991107 runs
5AUSINDIndore24 Sep 202399 runs

Australia have a lot of things to worry about. Their batting unit looks all over the place. No doubt, they have all the talent in the world but will miss their star pacers in Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. Captain for the tournament, Steve Smith would need his batting prowess to be at best. Marnus Labuschagne should compliment him, with Travis Head as the opener. Having said that, the bowling unit looks highly inexperienced for playing big matches. In Sri Lanka, the pacers did start well but failed to capitalise in the middle and death overs phase. Similarly, spin can be a thorn in Australia’s flesh in Pakistan. Drawn with the likes of England, South Africa and Afghanistan, Australia would have a tough task going all the way in the Champions Trophy.

Australia squad for ICC Champions Trophy

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