Lucknow (PTI): Australia beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in their ICC World Cup match here on Monday.

Sent in to bowl, Australia dismissed Sri Lanka for 209 in 43.3 overs and then returned to overhaul the target in 35.2 overs, scoring 215 for five in a match that was briefly interrupted by rain.

This was Australia's first win of the ongoing tournament.

Opener Mitchell Marsh scored a 51-ball 52 but Australia lost two quick wickets to slip to 81 for three.

Marnus Labuschagne (40) and Josh Inglis (58) added 77 runs to revive the chase.

Glenn Maxewell (31) and Marcus Stoinis (20) then knocked off the remaining runs.

For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madushanka snapped three wickets.

Earlier, openers Pathum Nissanka (61) and Kusal Perera (78) added 125 runs in 22 overs but Sri Lanka suffered a collapse, losing nine wickets for 53 runs.

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa showed the way with four wickets, while there were two wickets apiece for Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka: 209 all out in 43.3 overs (Pathum Nissanka 61, Kusal Perera 78; Adam Zampa 4/47).

Australia: 215 for 5 in 35.2 overs (Josh Inglis 58, Mitchell Marsh 52; Dilshan Madushanka 3/38).

 

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Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.

The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.

A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.

Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.

In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.

Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.

The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.

The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.