Steve Smith stunned the cricket world with an amazing catch in the first ODI against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
The Australian veteran broke the partnership between Charith Asalanka and Dunith Wellalage with a stunning catch in first slip.

What happened?

Sri Lanka won the match by 49 runs, with Asalanka scoring 127 in 126 balls.

Why it matters for Steve Smith

Smith's catch was praised by experts and fans, with Seven commentator Bharat Sundaresan saying it was "as good as the blinder last week in Galle".

What comes next?

Australia will face Sri Lanka in the second ODI, with the tourists weakened by the absence of captain Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Starc.

The hosts collapsed to 5/55 before Asalanka unleashed to score 127.

Australia were dismissed for 165 from just 33.5 overs in reply, with mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana claiming 4-40 from 9.5 overs.

An enterprising 41 off 38 balls from Alex Carey was Australia’s only innings of substance.

Stand-in opening bowlers Spencer Johnson and Aaron Hardie led Australia’s early destruction of Sri Lanka’s batting.

Johnson claimed 2-44 after taking 2-26 from his first spell, while Hardie finished with 2-13 after snaring 2-9 from his first four overs.

First change bowler Sean Abbott claimed a wicket in his fourth over but went for three boundaries in his fifth as Sri Lanka began to counterpunch.

Australia’s front-line attack of captain Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Starc are not in Sri Lanka and will also miss the rapidly approaching Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

The tourists were further weakened by Travis Head resting and Glenn Maxwell suffering gastro.

Victory in the first game of the two-match series brought a joyous moment for Sri Lanka after their clean-sweep defeat to Australia in the recent two-Test series.

Asalanka’s century came after he won the toss and batted on a dry pitch which offered surprising early bounce and seam movement.

During his team’s fightback, there was also some brilliance from stand-in Aussie skipper Steve Smith, who once again had cricket fans in awe.

The collective jaws of cricket fans and experts immediately dropped after Smith’s latest effort in the field.

Expert Seven commentator Bharat Sundaresan praised Smith's catch, saying it was "as good as the blinder last week in Galle".

A fan called Smith the “best ever fielder in red and white ball”.

Another said: “He is the best slip fielder I have ever seen.”

The Cricket News account became excited, shouting it out in caps: “STEVEN SMITH - AN ABSOLUTE GOAT AT SLIPS,”.

Research writer Aasif Peerzaada said: “He is crazy,”.

Another fan said: “Those who play regular cricket only know how tough this catch is.”