Australia beat Sri Lanka by 64 runs

Glenn Maxwell said he felt he’d got a “monkey off the back” after his maiden oneday international hundred powered Australia to a 64-run win over Sri Lanka in their Cricket World Cup Pool A clash.

Maxwell’s blistering century, his first in 43 ODI innings, came off just 51 balls – the second-fastest in World Cup history behind Kevin O’Brien’s 50-ball assault for Ireland against England in Bangalore four years ago.

Maxwell and recalled all-rounder Shane Watson (67) put on 160 in a commanding total of 376 for nine.

“It was nice to get the monkey off the back,” said Maxwell. “I have scored a few 90s so to finally hit the hundred was a relief.

“The top order set it up beautifully for me and Shane to go berserk at the end.

“I didn’t know about the record World Cup century but I knew about the Australian record (57 balls) because James Faulkner doesn’t shut up about it,” said Maxwell.

Faced with a mammoth chase, Sri Lanka responded in style as Kumar Sangakkara became the first batsman to score hundreds in three consecutive World Cup matches, while Tillakaratne Dilshan and Dinesh Chandimal, who had to retire hurt, both weighed in with fifties.

However, the task proved beyond them as they finished on 312 for nine.

“Credit to the boys for the way they battled – Maxwell scoring his first ODI hundred, we needed his runs today,” said Australia captain Michael Clarke.

“If we can hold our nerve like that we give ourselves a chance. Watching players around the world scoring so quickly and freely, teams can chase any score now.”

As for the 37-year-old Sangakkara’s latest century, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews added: “He’s brilliant. He’s ageing and he’s getting better and better.”

Sangakkara became only the second batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to score 14,000 one-day international runs when he reached the landmark yesterday.

Left-hander Sangakkara, 37, got to the milestone with a paddled two to fine leg off spinner Maxwell as he went to 39.

This was Sangakkara’s 378th innings in 402 ODIs.

Now retired India great Tendulkar remains way out in front at the top of the ODI run charts with 18,246 in 463 matches. — AFP