Read the article of Sri Lanka vs Australia 1st ODI 1983 - Australia tour of Sri Lanka 4-match one-day international series of the 1st ODI match played between Australia and Sri Lanka at P Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo in 13th April 1983.
Bowlers attack and A record-equalling five catches by wicket-keeper Guy de Alwis' before An superb 71-run stand for the first-wicket between Openers Sidath Wettimuny and Susil Fernando helped to Sri Lanka registered their historic first ODI win against Australia by tense 2-wickets and take a 1-0 lead in a low-scoring thriller of the first ODI.
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AUSTRALIA scored 168/9 (45 Overs) with top scorer by Graeme Wood 50 (71) and Graham Yallop 39 (70)
Sri Lanka best bowler by Somachandra De Silva 2/21 (9) and Arjuna Ranatunga 2/26 (9)
SRI LANKA chased 169/8 (44.1 Overs) with top scorer by Sidath Wettimuny 37 (79) and Susil Fernando 31 (53)
Australia best bowler by Tom Hogan 3/27 (9) and Rodney Hogg 2/40 (9)
This match reported by Peter McFarline (Third Party Reference from The Age)
Sri Lanka's cricketers gave themselves a great start to the New Year and put aside Greg Chappell's hopes of leading Australia undefeated on their six-match tour when they won the first one-day international.
The Sri Lankans got home a two wickets with five balls to spare (169-9), a margin that flattered the tourists.
Their score of 168-9 from 45 overs was never going to be sufficient although there was some slight hope when Sri Lankan middle-order collapsed after a fine start.
The Australians paid dearly for going into the match with only one recognised spinner, left-arm orthodox bowler Tom Hogan.
From the beginning when Chappell won the toss and decided to bat it was obvious the wicket would help spinners.
The Sri Lankan leg-spinner Somachamdra de Silva embarrassed the Australian's top order and Hogan was the man responsible for the Lankan lapse which gme Australia a brief glimmer of hope.
But atter five wickets had fallen for 112, the all-rounder Ashantha de Mel blasted 27 run, in quick time to make sure the target was achieved.
When it was, hundreds of excited fans at the Saravanamuttu Stadium rushed their stars as tomorrow is the Simhalese New Year's Day. which evidenly is celebrated with rather more gusto than it is in the West.
The Australian pace bowler John Maguire, Rodney Hog and Dennis Lillee did not exert themselves in the oppressive conditions on a wicket that was as slow as anywhere in the world.
The Sri Lankan Wicket-keeper Guy de Alwis was named man of the match for his record-breaking five catches in Australia's innings.
With the exception of Graeme Wood's 50 in 90 minutes, with five fours and a five, and Graham Yallop's 39 in 96 minutes. with four fours the Australian batting was disappointing.
Apart from the mysticism of de Silva's leg-breaks. the batsmen failed to come to terms with the extremely slow wicket, which vielded spin and some movement to the Sri Lanka seamers.
After the early loss of Smith, who was caught low down as he cut at Vinodhan, John Wood and Yallop indulged in the only worthwhile stand of the innings 72 in 66 minutes for the second wicket.
The tourists' next game is the second one-day international at the same venue on Saturday.
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