[Watch] Steve Smith Goes For Duck For First Time In World Cup; Dilshan Madushanka Strikes

Dilshan Madushanka celebrates the downfall of Steve Smith [X.com]

Australian number three Steve Smith was trapped in front of the stumps for a duck by Sri Lanka’s new-ball pacer Dilshan Madushanka in their World Cup 2023 faceoff in Lucknow. Arriving in the crease after David Warner’s untimely dismissal at the hands of Madushanka in the same over, Smith failed to add to the team’s score until he was plumbed in front of his middle and leg stump.

Dilshan Madushanka, who opened the bowling for Sri Lanka alongside Lahiru Kumara, delivered a maiden upfront in his opening spell of the match. The speedster returned the following over and deceived rampaging Australian opener David Warner with a back-of-a-length delivery that kept low.

Five balls later in the same over, Madushanka trapped charismatic number three Steve Smith by hitting him plumb in front of his middle and leg stump. The Australian batting veteran did not even bother to go for a review and made a long walk back to the pavilion to leave his side at 24-2.

By the time of Smith’s dismissal, the Sri Lankan speedster had already delivered two early wickets without conceding a run in his first two overs.

Watch: Steve Smith deceived by Dilshan Madushanka

Earlier in the match, Australian spinner Adam Zampa teamed up with his pace mates to dismantle Sri Lanka for just 209 in 43.3 overs. Zampa collected four wickets in the innings, while speedsters Mitchell Starc and captain Pat Cummins claimed two victims each.

Chasing a modest 210-run total to register their first win of the 2023 World Cup, Australian openers Mitchell Marsh and David Warner started confidently before the latter failed to read Dilshan Madushanka in his opening spell.

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