We no longer rely on few players, everyone is contributing: Meg Lanning

Australia’s ruthlessness continued as the side registered its 16th straight victory in the 50-over format. The hosts convincingly defeated Sri Lanka by 157 runs in the opening ODI at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane on Saturday (October 5).



Delighted with her team’s dominant performances, skipper Meg Lanning believes Australia have got a good foundation with a perfect blend of youth and experience. She pointed out that earlier the side had only a few performers, but over the last couple of years things have changed with a number of players stepping up according to the demand of the game.



"We've got a good foundation and (have been) able to get some younger players as well who play their role. We've got such an even contribution from a number of different players,” Lanning said. “We showed in our batting innings that although no one got that big score, (we) still tick(ed) along and got a competitive total that took us over the line. In the past, we used to rely on a few players but I don't feel that at all now. (If) a couple at the top of the order fail and don't get runs, there are people who can come and do that (lower down). It’s great to have such depth in the squad.”



Australia posted a challenging total of 281 for the loss of eight wickets, with Lanning top scoring with 73 runs. Apart from the skipper, Rachael Haynes and Beth Mooney registered half-centuries as well. However, despite the collective success of the batting unit, Lanning stressed the need for batters to go on to post match-winning hundreds.



"We batted reasonably well without dominating and had a few fifties that probably turned our score to 280 odd. We did talk about scoring match winning hundreds and innings things like that. It didn't work out today but that's how it goes. Overall it was pretty good performance and our bowlers kept them quiet,” she said.



Sri Lanka did try to control the ticking scoreboard as the visitors dismissed Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner cheaply, which brought the lower order in the centre. However, Georgia Wareham managed to see the hosts through to a competitive total with a handy contribution.



"It's always good to be challenged. Good to see how people respond in such situations. (Chamari) Atapattu in the first T20I took it to us. The way we responded was good. Sri Lanka bowled well today. They kept it tight, they were able to take wickets throughout which was probably the reason that we fell a little bit short of what we would have liked."



Defending the total, Australia bowlers got off to a great start. Just when Sri Lanka batters tried to settle in Tayla Vlaeminck (2-14) and Jess Jonassen (2-17) struck to keep the visitors under pressure. In the middle overs, Gardner produced tight deliveries which helped her return with the figures of 2 for 9 off nine overs before Sri Lanka were restricted to 124 in 41.3 overs.



"She (Gardner) bowled well, on tight lines. There wasn't lot of spin on offer for her but that just meant she was able to target stumps a little bit more and change the pace. She missed last two T20Is so it was nice to see her back in the team and bowling well,” the Australia skipper said.



When asked whether uncapped all-rounder Heather Graham will get an opportunity in the ongoing series, Lanning dodged the question, saying the management will have to see.



"She (Graham) is pushing very hard to play. (Let's) see what happens in the second ODI. She's been training well and putting her hand up. She's (the) sort of a player that will fit in really nicely in to our team. She's good with the bat, bowling and fielding as well. We have to see what happens,” Lanning concluded.



Australia, with a 1-0 lead, will take on Sri Lanka in the second ODI, which is part of ICC Women’s Championship, at the same venue on Monday (October 7).