Sri Lanka had no chance against Australia in the Test series, but the story was different in the ODI series. This time, it was Sri Lanka that dominated, leaving Australia helpless.
In the first ODI, Australia was defeated by 49 runs. On Friday in Colombo, Australia was trounced by 174 runs. After winning the toss and opting to bat, Charith Asalanka’s team scored 281 runs. In response, Australia crumbled to just 107 runs.
This is Australia’s lowest total in 50-over cricket on Asian soil, and the second-lowest overall against Sri Lanka. With this victory, Sri Lanka clinched the two-match ODI series 2-0. Australia’s preparations for the Champions Trophy were severely affected by this whitewash.
In a display of poor batting, Australia lost 7 wickets to score just 28 more runs. Captain Steven Smith top-scored with 29 runs. Spinner Dunith Wellalage took 4 wickets, while Wanindu Hasaranga and Asitha Fernando each took 3 wickets.
Asalanka played an impressive knock of 78 runs. Meanwhile, Kushal Mendis scored his fifth ODI century (101), and Nishan Madushka was out for 51.
Brief score:
Sri Lanka: 281/4, 50 overs (Kushal 101, Asalanka 78*; Abbott 1/41, Zampa 1/47)
Australia: 107/10, 24.2 overs (Smith 29, Inglis 22; Wellalage 4/35, Hasaranga 3/23)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 174 runs.
Player of the Match: Kushal Mendis
Player of the Series: Charith Asalanka.
LND/SAKIB
