107/10 (24.2)
CR : 4.40
281/4 (50.0)
CR : 5.62
Sri Lanka won by 174 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Kusal Mendis
101(115)
3:57 PM: Sri Lanka create history defeating Australia by a mammoth 174 runs to register their biggest ever win against Australia in the format and continue their unbeaten ODI series run at home in the 11th bilateral series!
Quick recap to the game as Sri Lanka won the toss, opted to bat first and posted 281/4 on the back of Kusal Mendis's 101 off 115 balls, skipper Charith Asalanka's unbeaten 78 and Nishan Madushka's fluent 51.
Australia lost Matt Short (2), Jake Fraser-McGurk (9) and Travis Head (18) all in the powerplay to Asitha Fernando before the hosts unleashed the spin duo of Dunith Wellalage and Wanindu Hasaranga.
Steve Smith and Josh Inglis added 46 runs for the 4th wicket before Wellalage cleaned up Inglis in the 15th over that unveiled a middle order collapse from which the Aussies never recovered.
Hasaranga joined the party dismissing Aaron Hardie (0) with Wellalage bowling Maxwell in the very next over with a wonderful delivery. Smith departed a couple of balls later trapped in front by Hasaranga.
Besides Smith (29), Inglis (22) and Head, no other Australian batter could reach into double digits. Wellalage finished with 4/35 with Fernando and Hasaranga claiming identical figures of 3/23 to wrap things up in the 25th over and claim the series 2-0.
Quick recap to the game as Sri Lanka won the toss, opted to bat first and posted 281/4 on the back of Kusal Mendis's 101 off 115 balls, skipper Charith Asalanka's unbeaten 78 and Nishan Madushka's fluent 51.
Australia lost Matt Short (2), Jake Fraser-McGurk (9) and Travis Head (18) all in the powerplay to Asitha Fernando before the hosts unleashed the spin duo of Dunith Wellalage and Wanindu Hasaranga.
Steve Smith and Josh Inglis added 46 runs for the 4th wicket before Wellalage cleaned up Inglis in the 15th over that unveiled a middle order collapse from which the Aussies never recovered.
Hasaranga joined the party dismissing Aaron Hardie (0) with Wellalage bowling Maxwell in the very next over with a wonderful delivery. Smith departed a couple of balls later trapped in front by Hasaranga.
Besides Smith (29), Inglis (22) and Head, no other Australian batter could reach into double digits. Wellalage finished with 4/35 with Fernando and Hasaranga claiming identical figures of 3/23 to wrap things up in the 25th over and claim the series 2-0.
Maheesh Theekshana: "I think we did it as a team. We are in a good place, and the team has confidence. The atmosphere and everything around us feel really positive right now. hink the wicket is slightly better than in the last game.
So, I felt we needed to bowl tighter overs in the middle, as the wicket is a bit slow and not easy to hit on during the death overs. Our plan was to bowl as tightly as possible in the middle, allowing us to control the game later on. A leg-spinner and a left-arm bowler delivered for us. Asalanka, who scored a century in the last game, carried his form into this match too."
So, I felt we needed to bowl tighter overs in the middle, as the wicket is a bit slow and not easy to hit on during the death overs. Our plan was to bowl as tightly as possible in the middle, allowing us to control the game later on. A leg-spinner and a left-arm bowler delivered for us. Asalanka, who scored a century in the last game, carried his form into this match too."
Player of the Match: Kusal Mendis
Kusal Mendis (Player of the Match): "I am very happy with my innings. First couple of overs it was hard to play the new ball but Nishan supported me really well.
It was different than the first match. It was a bit slow and was turning earlier. Me, Charith and Nishan batted really well and handled the pitch well.
After 50 overs it was hard to play, the ball was coming a bit slow. I enjoyed my batting."
It was different than the first match. It was a bit slow and was turning earlier. Me, Charith and Nishan batted really well and handled the pitch well.
After 50 overs it was hard to play, the ball was coming a bit slow. I enjoyed my batting."
Player of the Series: Charith Asalanka
Steve Smith (Australia Captain): "We have been outplayed in these 2 games. Credit to Sri Lanka. They really deserved the series.
We struggled against spin in Colombo. Their bowlers bowled exceptionally well. This wicket skidded more than the Test wickets from what I gathered. It was a great bowling performance from Sri Lanka.
It's been a fun time here in Sri Lanka. Some great memories made in the last few weeks personally and as a group as well. We enjoyed the tour."
We struggled against spin in Colombo. Their bowlers bowled exceptionally well. This wicket skidded more than the Test wickets from what I gathered. It was a great bowling performance from Sri Lanka.
It's been a fun time here in Sri Lanka. Some great memories made in the last few weeks personally and as a group as well. We enjoyed the tour."
Charith Asalanka (Player of the Series & Sri Lanka Captain): "There was no mantra. I just wanted to hit big hundreds and get 3-4 wickets.
It was less bouncy today than the last game. But still a good pitch. Credit should go to Kusal Mendis and Nishan Madushka to set the platform for us.
Australia also bowled well but today it was our day. Both the days went really well.
When I go out to bat I don't think about captaincy. I am just a number 5 batsman who has a duty to fulfill for the team.
It's disappointing to miss the Champions Trophy. You don't have to look back and think about it. Looking forward to play consistent cricket."
It was less bouncy today than the last game. But still a good pitch. Credit should go to Kusal Mendis and Nishan Madushka to set the platform for us.
Australia also bowled well but today it was our day. Both the days went really well.
When I go out to bat I don't think about captaincy. I am just a number 5 batsman who has a duty to fulfill for the team.
It's disappointing to miss the Champions Trophy. You don't have to look back and think about it. Looking forward to play consistent cricket."
Charith Asalanka collects the series winning trophy and heads to pose with his team for the official pictures.
That's it from our coverage of the 2-match series between Sri Lanka and Australia from Colombo. Ninaad Dixit signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Deepak Prakash and scorer/analyst Zeeshan Naiyer. Stay tuned for more action from around the world.