Australia strike first in opening ODI

Half-centuries from Steve Smith and Aaron Finch lifted Australia to a morale-boosting three-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the opening one-day international in Colombo on Sunday.

The Aussies put aside their embarrassing 3-0 Test whitewash to grind out a hard-fought victory on a dry slow wicket and take an early advantage in the five-match series. A determined looking Smith led the way with a gritty 58 under lights in the Sri Lankan capital, as the Aussies survived a late flurry of wickets to reach 7-228 and pass the victory total with 3.1 overs to spare.

Finch settled early nerves in the run chase with some hard-hitting that included a six in the first over, eventually scoring 56 off 46 deliveries against an attack shorn of injured spin king Rangana Herath.