Second one-day international, Colombo
Sri Lanka 281-4 (50 overs): K Mendis 101, Asalanka 78
Australia 107 (24.2 overs): Smith 29; Wellalage 4-35, Hasaranga 3-23
Sri Lanka won by 174 runs; won series 2-0
Scorecard
Australia were thrashed by 174 runs by Sri Lanka in their final one-day international before their Champions Trophy opener against England.
The injury-hit world champions were bowled out for 107 in pursuit of 281 in Colombo, sealing a sorry 2-0 series defeat against a side who did not qualify for the tournament in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
“Australia thrashed in final ODI before Champions Trophy”
After Travis Head, Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk fell to seamer Asitha Fernando inside seven overs, Australia reached 79-3 before losing their final seven wickets for 28 runs – all to Sri Lanka’s spinners on a slow, turning pitch.
Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage initiated the collapse by bowling Josh Inglis for 22 and ended with figures of 4-35.All-rounder Aaron Hardie was caught at slip off leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga for a four-ball duck in the next over and Glenn Maxwell was bowled for one by turning Wellalage five balls later.Hasaranga added the wicket of Australia captain Steve Smith, lbw for 29, and finished with 3-23.
Only a final-wicket partnership of 13 between Adam Zampa and Tanveer Sangha ensured Australia reached three figures.It was Australia’s heaviest defeat against Sri Lanka in terms of runs and their fifth-heaviest against any opposition.Kusal Mendis hit 101 from 115 runs and Charith Asalanka 78 not out from 66 in Sri Lanka’s 281-4.
“We have been outplayed but used a lot of players and got a lot out of it,” said Smith, who is standing in as skipper for injured bowler Pat Cummins.”It was a fine bowling performance by Sri Lanka and not a great batting performance.
“We will keep moving forward. Credit to Sri Lanka.”Australia’s build-up for the Champions Trophy has been hit by injuries to Cummins, bowler Josh Hazlewood and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, plus Marcus Stoinis’ retirement and Mitchell Starc opting to miss the tournament.Their first match is against England, who go into the match on the back of their 3-0 series defeat by India, on 22 February.South Africa and Afghanistan are also in the four-team group
BBC
