Kusal Mendis and a Sri Lanka batting master-class seals a series sweep against hapless Australia. Wellalage, Hasaranga and Fernando rip through Australia’s batters. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
A shellshocked Australia go to the Champions Trophy pondering their chances after a comprehensive 174 run thrashing from Sri Lanka in the second one-dayer in Colombo.
Fresh from a record breaking Test series win, Australia soon found that Sri Lanka’s one-day side was a different proposition despite the proud home team failing to qualify for the Champions Trophy.
Sri Lanka on the other hand showed no signs of a demoralised and unresponsive team that was different, and had more purpose than the Test squad.
Australia’s focus will now shift to team composition for the Champions Trophy with urgent replacements needed to bolster the team beaten soundly in Sri Lanka.
It will definitely see the return of skipper Pat Cummins who will have no concerns about his leadership after Steve Smith’s success in the Tests. Also missing were Mitchell Stark and Josh Hazelwood who seem certain to get the nod ahead of the rest after the Sri Lankan debacle.
Sri Lanka’s well documented rollercoaster performances were boosted by this memorable success. But the vacant stands at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo clearly suggested that their cricket crazy fans at home are unconvinced about them being consistent. This series win will hopefully bring them back to the cricket and the home team’s future exploits.
This one-day team has tasted plenty of success recently and appear to be a perfect blend against the best teams in the world. They proved it in the Asia Cup overcoming a strong Indian team in the final.
Led by the flashing blades of Kusal Mendis who smashed his way to a brilliant century, 101 off 125 balls, and skipper Charith Asalanka, 78 not out off 66 balls 3 sixers and 6 fours, Sri Lanka’s batters feasted on a less than flattering Australian attack packed with equal amount of pace and spin to reach an above par 281 for 4 in their allotment.
With magician Glen Maxwell rushed into the team after the first match debacle, Australia found no reprieve as Sri Lanka’s bowlers led by young gun Dinuth Wellalage, ably supported by Wannindu Hasarsnga and Asitha Fernando, ran through a strong Australian batting line-up to skittle them out for 107 in reply in just 24.2 overs.
Only three Australian batters made double figures in another shocking performance by the tourists who struggled on a slow paced track.
Skipper Steve Smith fell first 29 off 34 balls, Josh Inglis 22 off 27 and Travis Head 18 off 18 in a sorry reflection of Australia’s chase.
It gave Sri Lanka some satisfaction for its record breaking losses in the Tests as this was the biggest win by the home team over Australia and the series sweep also the best against a formidable opponent.
Wellalage, who is quickly shaping to be a world class all-rounder was at his brilliant best with the ball, bamboozling the experienced Australian batters with his guile and variation. He took 4 for 35 from 7.2 overs to be Sri Lanka’s highest wicket taker in the series claiming 6 wickets in total, in the two matches.
Wannindu Hasarsnga who received harsh treatment from Australia’s batters in game one, bounced back to grab 3 for 23 from 7 overs and with penetrative paceman Asitha Fernando completed an Australian rout.
First innings hero Maheesh Theekshana went wicketless in game two as the Aussie batters were wary against him.
Sri Lanka’s win came when Asitha Fernando ripped through Australia’s top order claiming Matthew Short and Jake Fraser McGurk with the score on 28. When dangerous Travis Head fell soon after with the total on 33 it gave ominous signs of what was to follow.
Australia had no answer to Sri Lanka’s well balanced attack that is now proving to be a threat to the best going around.
The problem with Sri Lanka cricket is that they are a mixed package at the moment. But it also means you can never write them off.
If you missed trevins’ last Article – here it is! – Charith Asalanka hundred spearheads Sri Lanka triumph as Aussies crumble. Asalanka and Theekshana lead Sri Lanka to 49- run victory. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
