Dasun Shanaka’s Sri Lanka completed their series win over Australia in the fourth ODI of the five-match series, winning the match by a margin of four runs. It was Sri Lanka’s first ODI series win at home against Australia in 30 years. The last time Sri Lanka beat Australia bilaterally at home was in 1992. It was also their first bilateral win since 2010.
Sri Lanka vs Australia | Highlight
Shanaka’s side defended 259 runs courtesy their spin quartet riding on Charit Aslanka’s century in difficult batting conditions. The hosts found a hero in young Dunith Wallez, who continued to impress for his side, bowling fearless left-arm spin, taking the crucial wicket of Mitchell Marsh. Apart from the 19-year-old, Mahesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dhananjaya de Silva and Chamika Karunaratne came at the right time to lead Sri Lanka to victory.
For Australia, it was another day to be forgotten, as Aaron Finch’s side received another reminder that they may not be very well suited to play in low and slow conditions in the subcontinent.
The match was not intimidating for Sri Lanka either, as skipper Dasun Shanaka kept his heart in his mouth as he showered runs throughout the over. With 19 required in the final over, Shanaka somehow learned that he needed to bowl full and fast to Matthew Kuhneman and conceded 14 runs in the first five balls.
Bowling strategy coach Lasith Malinga raged at the touchline, a long barrier before the final ball ensured that Shanaka bowled an off-cutter. The final ball was caught by the left-handed batsman, which was caught on point by none other than Charit Aslanka.
misfortune of openers
For the first time in the history of ODI cricket, the opening batsmen of a team were dismissed for the terrible scores of 0 and 99.
While Aaron Finch failed to advance, David Warner’s scintillating innings, holding the line-up from one end, ended with a graceful stumping from the Sri Lankan keeper as he grabbed half a chance with the ball rolling away from the batsman.
test by spin
Australia found it very difficult to handle Sri Lanka’s spin quartet. To be fair to the spectators, the pitch proved incredibly difficult to bat on, with the ball staying down and a mile away.
Take for example the dismissal of Glenn Maxwell. Mahesh Thekshana’s off-spinner came off the seventh stump, hit Glenn Maxwell on the edge of the off-stump and Hawk-Eye confirmed it would be going to the leg-stump.
Maxwell is the best spin batsman in this team, and if he found it difficult to negotiate, it only meant that the rest of the batsmen had no chance.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka were saved by a patient century from Charit Aslanka. After losing early wickets inside the powerplay, Aslanka and Dhananjay de Silva put on a 101 run partnership to stabilize the innings. Aslanka scored 110 off 106 balls, the most by any Sri Lankan player against Australia in fifth place.
Had there been any coordination between them in 22 yards, the hosts would have been able to score more. Three run outs affected his pace in the final overs of the innings, restricting him to a score of 258.
Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh got off to a good start for Australia, but they were disappointed in the middle of the spin. All the spinners, Matthew Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell and Marnus Labuschagne, proved costly for Australia, failing to stop the flow of runs. The visitors expected the fast bowlers to do the trick once again in the day, but they were hit for runs in the final few overs, just pushing the target above 250.
However, the score was not enough, as some poor bowling in the final over ensured that Australia were touching the target.