Sri Lanka wins & levels series 1-1
Skipper Angelo Mathews led from the front with his all-round showing to help Sri Lanka register a comprehensive 82-run win against Australia in the second one-day international played at R Premadasa Stadium today (24th) to level the series at 1-1.
Australia, who were chasing a record 289 for victory were bowled out for 206 in 47.2 overs with Matthew Wade top-scoring with 76 runs. Left-arm spinner Amila Aponso claimed four wickets while medium-pacer Thisara Perera took three wickets to choke the Australian run chase.
However, it was Mathews' two wickets and a half-century that made Sri Lanka register their biggest win against Australia in terms of runs. Their previous best was a 79-run triumph in Sydney in 2003.
Australia's James Faulkner recorded his first ODI hat-trick but Sri Lanka, who chose to bat first, still managed to post 288 in 48.5 overs.
In reply Australia, who won the first of the five ODIs by three wickets, were dealt early blows after losing their openers to Perera. David Warner was caught behind for 1 while Aaron Finch, who scored a half-century in the first ODI, was bowled for four with Australia left struggling at 16 for two.
Skipper Steve Smith tried to fight back with his 33-ball 30, his innings laced with five boundaries, but his wicket off Aponso spelt more trouble for the visitors.
George Bailey and Wade put together a 61-run fourth wicket partnership to keep Australia in the hunt but the required run-rate just kept mounting. Bailey, who scored 27 off 46 balls, finally succumbed to the pressure of scoring quick runs after being bowled by Aponso, who registered impressive figures of 4-18 in just his second ODI. Aussies lost their final five wickets for 24 runs giving Sri Lanka an impressive win by 82 runs.
The third ODI between Sri Lanka and Australia will be played at Dambulla on 28th August.
