Sri Lanka’s spinners delivered a commanding performance to secure a dominant 174-run victory over Australia in the second and final ODI on Friday, sealing a 2-0 series win. Dunith Wellalage was the star of the show, taking four wickets and leading the charge as Sri Lanka bowled Australia out for just 107, their lowest-ever total in Asia, while chasing a target of 282.
Australia, experimenting with a much-changed lineup ahead of the Champions Trophy, experienced a dramatic collapse, losing their final seven wickets for only 28 runs. Captain Steve Smith admitted the result was disappointing, saying, “Not the best result we wanted. We used a lot of players and everyone got a game. Credit to Sri Lanka, they deserved the series win. We struggled a bit in Colombo… Their bowlers were superb.”
Sri Lanka’s bowlers, particularly Asitha Fernando, set the tone early with a fiery spell of 3-23 from four overs. Wellalage then took charge, triggering the collapse by bamboozling Josh Inglis with a well-pitched arm ball. In his next over, he struck again, sending Glenn Maxwell’s stumps flying, finishing with figures of 4-35.
Wanindu Hasaranga, from the other end, took three more wickets, including trapping Smith plumb in front, and sealed the victory for Sri Lanka.
The resounding win lifted Sri Lanka to fifth place in the ODI rankings and gave the cricket world a reminder of their strength ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy, despite missing out after finishing ninth in the 2023 World Cup.
Sri Lanka’s captain, Charith Asalanka, said, “Not often you beat Australia. Today was our day, and the spinners did a superb job. We are disappointed that we are not in the Champions Trophy… the important thing is that we don’t get into a similar situation again.”
Sri Lanka’s top order, which had faced criticism recently, responded with a strong batting display. Kusal Mendis was the star of the innings, scoring a brilliant 101, his fifth ODI century and first against Australia. He was well supported by Nishan Madushka (51) and Asalanka, who bludgeoned an unbeaten 78 off just 66 balls, including six fours and three sixes.
The partnership between Kusal and Madushka (98 runs for the second wicket) stabilized the innings after an early loss, and Kusal’s momentum was carried forward with a 94-run stand with Asalanka for the fourth wicket.
Australia made five changes to their lineup, with Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, and Ben Dwarshuis all included as they fine-tuned their squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Out went Alex Carey, Marnus Labuschagne, Cooper Connolly, Spencer Johnson, and Nathan Ellis.
