Sri Lanka hammer Australia in record 174-run rout
In Friday’s second and final ODI, Sri Lanka spinner Dunith Wellalage claimed four wickets to hand Australia their lowest ever score in Asia, 174 runs.
Chasing a target of 282 in Colombo, a much-changed Australia, testing their lineup for next week’s Champions Trophy, were swept out for just 107.
The dramatic collapse saw them lose their final seven wickets for 28 runs.
“Not the best outcome we desired. “We used a lot of players, and everyone got a game,” Australia captain Steve Smith said.
“Credit to Sri Lanka.” They deserved the series victory. We battled a little in Colombo… “Their bowlers were excellent.”
Asitha Fernando set the tone with a blazing opening session of 3-23 in four overs before the spinners tightened their grip.
Wellalage caused the collapse by bamboozling Josh Inglis with a skiddy arm ball that smashed into the stumps. In his following over, he delivered another peach, rattling Glenn Maxwell’s timber and finishing 4-35.
Wanindu Hasaranga joined the party from the opposite end, capturing three more, including Smith, who was cornered right in front.
This resounding victory gave Sri Lanka a 2-0 series triumph against the defending world champions, propelling them to sixth in the ODI rankings.
It also informed the cricketing world that Sri Lanka’s absence from the forthcoming Champions Trophy, following their ninth-place result in the 2023 World Cup, will be felt.
“It’s not often that you beat Australia,” Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka said.
“Today was our day and the spinners did a superb job,” according to him. “We are disappointed that we are not in the Champions Trophy… the important thing is that we don’t get into a similar situation again.”
Sri Lanka’s batting had come under scrutiny in recent weeks, but the top order hushed detractors with a dominant performance.
Kusal Mendis was the star of the show, scoring a magnificent 101 — his fifth ODI century and first against Australia.
He had strong backing from Nishan Madushka (51) and Asalanka during the last half-century.
After scoring a match-winning hundred in the opening, Asalanka bludgeoned an unbeaten 78 off only 66 balls, peppering the boundary with six fours and three soaring sixes.
A 98-run stand between Kusal and Madushka for the second wicket helped to stabilise the innings following an early loss.
Kusal then capitalized on the momentum, putting together a 94-run stand with Asalanka for the fourth wicket.
Australia made five changes to their squad ahead of next week’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan and Dubai.
Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, and Ben Dwarshuis all entered.
Alex Carey, Marnus Labuschagne, Cooper Connolly, Spencer Johnson, and Nathan Ellis all left.
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