World Cup 2019: Twitter reacts as Finch smashes a mammoth century which helped Australia to top the points table

Australia beat Sri Lanka by 87 runs to make it four wins out of five matches. This means that the defending champions have risen to the top of the table and find themselves in a great position to qualify for the semi-finals. On the other hand, the loss for Sri Lanka means that they have to virtually win all their matches to qualify for semi-finals.

Chasing a huge target of 335 against a bowling line up like Australia Sri Lankan openers got their team off to a flying start to give hope to the fans of the island nation. The two built an opening partnership of more than 100 before Kusal Perera got out for 52.

Dimuth Karunaratne played a captain's knock but he missed out on a well deserved century. Once he got out, Sri Lankan innings collapsed as they lost last eight wickets for just runs. Mitchell Starc emerged as the star of Australian bowling performance as he ended up with figures of 4/56.

Earlier in the day, Australians were sent to bat first by Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne. Aaron Finch got his team off to a great start but David Warner struggled for timing. After a good opening stand of 80 runs, Australia lost two wickets quickly.

The Australian captain built a great partnership for the third wicket with former captain Steve Smith. Aaron Finch completed a brilliant century as he scored 153 runs to put his team in driving seat. Sri Lanka pulled themselves back into the game by picking wickets in the slog overs. Glenn Maxwell scored 46 off 25 balls to ensure that Australia was able to cross the 330 mark.

The Australian captain was the star of the match as he led his team from the front. His mammoth innings proved to be the difference between the two teams. Apart from his effort with the bat, his captaincy also played a big role in the success of his team.

Another good win from Australia, managing to secure wins without their ideal balance, things can only get better! #CWC19 #AUSvSL
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) June 15, 2019

West Indies
Pakistan
Sri Lanka

All three threw away the game from the winning position against Australia!
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) June 15, 2019

No bowler has taken three five-wicket hauls in World Cup games. Starc can. #CWC19 #AusvSL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 15, 2019

Rollicking start by Sri Lanka. Will be fun if it continues!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 15, 2019

Most 100s in WC by teams

28 Australia 🇦🇺
27 India🇮🇳
23 Sri Lanka🇱🇰
17 West Indies🌴
15 New Zealand🇳🇿/ England🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
14 South Africa🇿🇦/ Pakistan🇵🇰#CWC19 #AUSvSL
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) June 15, 2019

So damn good 🙌🏼😍👏🏼 @AaronFinch5 you star... I didn’t wanna tweet at 100 and jinx, but I will for 150 💁🏼 go on, make it 200 😎 #CWC19 #AUSvSL #class
— Megan Schutt (@megan_schutt) June 15, 2019

Steve Smith's wicket was Lasith Malinga's 100th ODI wicket via 'bowled'. He is only the 5th bowler to bag 100 bowled wickets in ODI cricket. #CWC19 #AUSvSL
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) June 15, 2019

David Warner's Odi Strike Rate In Last 5 Years

2015 - 110.51
2016 - 105.47
2017 - 102.83
2018 - 94.81
2019 - 76.98*#AUSvSL
— CricBeat (@Cric_beat) June 15, 2019

Also see - IND vs PAK world cup history

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on World cup points table, news, live scores, World Cup most wickets, schedule, most runs, and fantasy tips.