SL vs AUS: Charith Asalanka, spinners help Sri Lanka clinch ODI series against Australia
SL vs AUS: Sri Lanka won the series by four runs on Tuesday, thanks to Charith Asalanka‘s maiden one-day international century and an excellent spin attack.
Sri Lanka reached 258 all out thanks to the left-handed Asalanka’s 110 runs, which was just enough to give the hosts an invincible 3-1 lead in the five-match series in Colombo.
Australia were bowled out for 254 and the island nation won its first bi-lateral series against the Aussies in over a decade, despite opener David Warner’s 99. The last time they won was in 2010.
Spinners Dhananjaya de Silva and Jeffrey Vandersay, as well as fast bowler Chamika Karunaratne, the team’s lone regular seamer, all grabbed two wickets.
Late cameos of 35 by Pat Cummins and a 12-ball 15 by number 10 Matthew Kuhnemann, who struck three fours in the 50th over as Australia required 19 runs, gave Sri Lanka a scare.
Earlier, Asalanka helped Sri Lanka recover from a 34-3 deficit by putting on 101 runs with Dhananjaya de Silva (60).
The Australian bowlers continued to take important wickets, but Asalanka achieved his century to the delight of a boisterous home crowd, who surged to their feet to acclaim the innings.
Wanindu Hasaranga contributed a handy cameo of 21 not out in a 34-run partnership with Asalanka for the eighth wicket.
Asalanka was eventually dismissed by Cummins. And Australia was able to finish the innings in 49 overs with two run outs.
In response, Australia’s skipper Aaron Finch bowled for naught by Karunaratne, who trapped the opener lbw.
Warner kept his composure and put on 63 runs with Mitchell Marsh, who looked good for his 26. Before succumbing to the left-arm spin of Dunith Wellalage.
After getting off to a good start, Australia lost Marnus Labuschagne and wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey to Sri Lankan spinners.
Warner, who known for attacking, stayed put to try to grind down the opposition attack. He joined by Travis Head, and the two put up a 58-run stand for the fifth wicket.
After the on-field umpire denied the appeal, De Silva bowled the left-handed Head for 27 runs. And Maheesh Theekshana trapped Glenn Maxwell lbw for one with a successful review.
But the big moment came when Warner fell short of his century. After stumped by de Silva as the home team celebrated a crucial wicket.
In a 31-run partnership, Cameron Green and Cummins attempted to accelerate the chase, but Green bowled by Vandersay.
Cummins retired in the 49th over, but Kuhnemann fought to the very last delivery before bowled.
The final match will take place on Friday at the same location.
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