Despite not having qualified for the Champions Trophy Championship, Sri Lanka did well to crush the leading ODI team Australia by a massive 174 runs in their second ODI and a 49 runs win in the first ODI to win the series 2-nil.
Sri Lanka’s massive 174 runs victory is considered as the largest victory over the Australian team ever. Australia also recorded their eighth lowest total in the format.
Kusal Mendis brought up his century off 113 balls (Cricinfo)
This massive victory in Colombo was set up by Kusal Mendis and captain Charith Asalanka powering them to 281 runs having elected to bat first. Kusal made 101 off 115 balls and had strong partnerships with Asalanka and Nishan Madushka, before Australia were routed for just 107 in the 25th over.
However, Australia capitulated on what had appeared a relatively benign surface in a batting effort even worse than their 165 all out in game one. They succumbed to quick Asitha Fernando early before crumbling against spinners Dunith Wellalage and Wanindu Hasaranga, who claimed seven wickets between them.
It was Australia’s sixth loss from their last eight ODIs and they will enter the Champions Trophy unfancied. In contrast, Sri Lanka won their ninth ODI from their last 13 matches, but have bitter emotions as they are not part of the Champions Trophy after a horrid 2023 World Cup.
Sri Lanka’s ODI team have some good reason to build confidence in their pattern of play despite a thrashing they received in the Test series with Australia.
