Australia vs Sri lanka: In a thrilling conclusion to the ODI series between Sri Lanka and Australia, Sri Lanka avenged their earlier defeat in the Test series by defeating Australia with a crushing 174-run margin in the second and final ODI.
Having lost the two-match Test series 2-0, Sri Lanka bounced back strongly in the limited-overs format and dominated the Aussies, ensuring a clean sweep in the ODI series. This series, especially the final match, was a remarkable demonstration of Sri Lanka’s resilience and skill in the one-day format.
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Sri Lanka’s Commanding Performance
Sri Lanka took the first step towards their massive victory by setting a challenging total of 281/4 in 50 overs after opting to bat first at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Though they lost early wickets, particularly the departure of Pathum Nissanka for just 6 runs, the Lankan side recovered well. The partnership between Nishan Madushka and Kusal Mendis laid the foundation for the total. Madushka contributed 51 runs, and the two put together a crucial 98-run partnership.
Kusal Mendis, who has been in excellent form, played a scintillating knock, scoring his fifth ODI century. Mendis faced 115 balls, hitting 11 boundaries, and managed to score a brilliant 102 runs. His innings provided the perfect anchor for Sri Lanka’s innings, ensuring they put up a defendable total.
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Charith Asalanka, who had been one of Sri Lanka’s standout players in the series, provided the finishing touch to the innings. He scored a vital 78* off 66 balls, playing with excellent composure and hitting boundaries at key moments. His partnership with Janith Liyanage (32* off 21 balls) helped push the score beyond 280, setting Australia a daunting target.
Sri Lanka’s batting performance in this match was a collective effort. The middle-order contributions from Mendis, Asalanka, and Liyanage were vital in ensuring Sri Lanka posted a competitive total. Although there were some early hiccups, Sri Lanka showed great depth and resilience in their batting lineup.
Australia’s Disastrous Run Chase
Chasing 282 runs in 50 overs, Australia had no answer to the exceptional bowling attack of Sri Lanka. The visitors, who had been dominant in the Test series, were left helpless as they were bowled out for a mere 107 runs. The Australian batting lineup failed to cope with the pressure applied by the Sri Lankan bowlers, and the chase quickly turned into a disastrous one for the Aussies.
Sri Lanka’s spinners were the stars of the show, with both Dunith Wellalage and Wanindu Hasaranga playing pivotal roles in dismantling the Australian lineup. Wellalage, in particular, was outstanding, taking 4 wickets for just 35 runs in his 10 overs. His left-arm spin was too much for the Australian batsmen, who struggled to get him away. Along with Hasaranga, who claimed 3 wickets for 23 runs, Sri Lanka’s spin duo proved to be the difference in this match. Their control and accuracy put Australia on the back foot from the very beginning.
The Australian batsmen, starting with their captain Steve Smith, were unable to handle the spin challenge. Smith, who has been a consistent performer for Australia, could only manage 29 runs off 34 balls before being dismissed. Josh Inglis scored 22 runs, while Travis Head contributed just 18 runs. Apart from these three, no other Australian batsman was able to reach double figures. The entire Australian team collapsed in the face of Sri Lanka’s relentless spin attack.
Sri Lanka’s pace bowler Asitha Fernando also played an important role, taking 3 wickets for 23 runs, helping to clean up the Australian tail. His pace and bounce troubled the Australian batsmen, and by the time they could get any semblance of a partnership going, the damage had already been done by the spinners.
The Australian batting collapse was swift and comprehensive, and they were bowled out for just 107 runs in 35.1 overs. It was a humiliating defeat for Australia, who were unable to withstand the pressure from Sri Lanka’s exceptional bowling performance.
Sri Lanka’s Historic Win
This victory not only handed Sri Lanka a 174-run win but also sealed a 2-0 series victory, which was a massive achievement for them. It was also the largest margin of victory for Sri Lanka against Australia in an ODI. The result was a complete reversal of the fortunes from the Test series, where Australia had easily defeated Sri Lanka 2-0. By winning both matches in this ODI series, Sri Lanka demonstrated their prowess in limited-overs cricket and proved that they could compete with top sides in all formats.
This victory will be remembered as a classic underdog story, where Sri Lanka turned the tables on a formidable Australian team and avenged their Test series loss in the most convincing manner. It was a win that encapsulated everything great about Sri Lankan cricket — resilience, skill, and teamwork.
Australia vs Sri lanka: Match Highlights and Key Performers
The standout performer of the match was Kusal Mendis, who not only anchored Sri Lanka’s innings but also delivered when it mattered the most. His brilliant 102-run knock, which came under pressure, made him the deserving “Player of the Match.” Mendis has been in exceptional form throughout the series, and his century in this match was an icing on the cake.
Charith Asalanka was another key contributor, scoring 78* off 66 balls and finishing the innings on a high. His contributions with the bat have been critical to Sri Lanka’s success in this series, and he deservedly took home the “Player of the Series” award.
On the bowling front, Dunith Wellalage and Wanindu Hasaranga were the heroes, with their combined effort of taking 7 wickets for just 58 runs. Their spin bowling dominated the Australian batsmen, and their performances were central to Sri Lanka’s remarkable victory.
What Went Wrong for Australia?
For Australia, it was a day to forget. Their batting lineup, which had been so effective in the Test series, failed to adapt to the challenges posed by Sri Lanka’s spin attack. The inability to counteract spin was a major weakness exposed in this match. Despite having a strong batting order, Australia’s lack of preparedness against Sri Lankan spinners left them vulnerable and ultimately cost them the game.
The Australian bowlers, on the other hand, did try to stem the run flow, with Sean Abbott and Adam Zampa both picking up a wicket each, but they could not defend such a modest target. While the bowlers tried their best, it was clear that Australia’s downfall came from their batting collapse.
Looking Ahead: Australia’s Next Steps
Following this crushing defeat, Australia will need to regroup and reassess their approach to limited-overs cricket. The loss highlighted several weaknesses, particularly against quality spin bowling, and the team will have to work on their game plan for upcoming series. Australia has a lot of talent, but they will need to address the challenges posed by spin-heavy teams like Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s Resurgence
For Sri Lanka, this victory signifies a resurgence of confidence, especially after a series of poor results. Their victory in this series shows that they are more than capable of competing with the best in the world. The contributions from both the bat and ball have given Sri Lanka a much-needed boost, and they will look to carry this momentum forward into future series.
Conclusion
In the end, the “Sri Lanka vs Australia” ODI series proved to be an exciting and highly competitive contest. Sri Lanka’s all-round performance in the second ODI was exemplary, with their spin bowlers, top-order batsmen, and lower-order finishers all contributing to the victory. Australia, on the other hand, will need to analyze their shortcomings and come back stronger. The Sri Lankan cricket team’s victory in this series is a reminder that no team should ever be underestimated, no matter the format, and that cricket often produces surprising and thrilling outcomes.
Brief Score:
Sri Lanka: 281/4 (Kusal Mendis 102, Charith Asalanka 78*; Sean Abbott 1/41, Adam Zampa 1/47)
Australia: 107/10 (Steve Smith 29, Josh Inglis 22; Dunith Wellalage 4/35, Wanindu Hasaranga 3/23)
Result: Sri Lanka won by 174 runs
Player of the Match: Kusal Mendis
Player of the Series: Charith Asalanka