Sri Lanka vs Australia, 2nd ODI Highlights: Sri Lanka Beat Australia In Thriller, Level 5-Match Series 1-1
SL vs AUS, 2nd ODI, Highlights: Sri Lanka on Thursday defeated Australia by 26 runs in the second ODI in Pallekele to level the five-match series 1-1.
SL vs AUS, 2nd ODI Highlights: Sri Lanka on Thursday defeated Australia by 26 runs in the second ODI in Pallekele to level the five-match series 1-1. Chasing a total of 216, Australia were bowled out for 189, losing five wickets in the space of 19 runs. Earlier, Sri Lanka were 220 for nine after 47.3 overs before rain interrupted the proceedings. Kusal Mendis top-scored for Sri Lanka again with a fine 36, while Dhananjaya de Silva and captain Dasun Shanaka scored 34 each. For Australia, Pat Cummins took four wickets while debutant Matthew Kuhnemann and Glenn Maxwell bagged two wickets each. Australia skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and elected to field first. The injury-hit tourists, who lead the five-match series 1-0, made three changes and handed left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann his ODI debut in Pallekele. Kuhnemann, Travis Head and Mitchell Swepson come in for Ashton Agar, Marcus Stoinis and Jhye Richardson. Sri Lanka made one change with the injured Wanindu Hasaranga making way for Jeffrey Vandersay as they look to bounce back from their opening loss. Hasaranga's absence is a big blow for Sri Lanka, with the all-rounder having played a brilliant knock at the death and then returned his best ODI figures in the last match. (SCORECARD)
Sri Lanka: Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Chamika Karunaratne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana
Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch (capt), Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Swepson, Josh Hazlewood, Matthew Kuhnemann
Sri Lanka Cricket Team
Australia Cricket Team
SL vs AUS, 2nd ODI Live
Right then! From Pallekele we move to Colombo with 1-1 on the board. The 3rd ODI is on the 19th of June and will start at 2.30 pm IST (9 am GMT). But as you know, you can join us early for the build up. Till then, goodbye and cheers!
Dasun Shanaka, the skipper of Sri Lanka says the Aussies bowled really well and he feels they were a few runs short but he believed his bowlers will defend the target. Tells that he knew the pitch but they didn't take the right options with the bat and hopefully improve in the next game. On Chamika Karunaratne, he says he is a born warrior and he delivers evertime. On Dunith Wellalage, he had a lot of trust and was ready to take the risk. Applauds the crowd in the end for supporting them.
Aaron Finch, the skipper of Australia says they were poor in the field, the outfield was quite bumpy and but they were disappointing as they should've attacked the ball more. The batter got the starts but failed to carry on and they lost the momentum. On the toss, he says they want to chase in these type of conditions and improve further. Tells that the injuries are not ideal but they have a good squad. Ends by thanking the crowd for supporting.
Chamika Karunaratne, MAN OF THE MATCH, says he was waiting for this moment. He believes in himself and he gave his all today. Adds that everything is planned, he thinks out of the box and he loves to challenge the batsmen and take the risk. On his celebration, he came back after two and a half years and thanks the universe for giving the energy.
... TIME FOR THE PRESENTATION ...
Earlier in the day, after electing to bowl, courtesy Cummins and the rest, Australia had Sri Lanka reeling at 220 for 9 in the 48th over before rain played its part. There was a big delay and eventually Australia needed 216 in 43 overs. Despite most of their batters getting off to starts, they failed to get to the target as it was the Lankan bowlers who held their nerve and came out on top.
Australia will be very disappointed with this loss! They were on top for most of the game. The problem was, none of their batters went onto score big. All of their batters got off to starts but none made it into something significant! In the end, it was a panic situation. The shots from a few can really be questioned but have to say the Aussies just succumbed under pressure and gave it away.
The hosts did not have a lot to defend and they needed to bowl at their best and they did so! They did concede runs initially but as the game went on, the runs also dried up and they also managed to take wickets at regular intervals. All of the bowlers bowled well at sometime in the game. Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay did not get wickets but the former was a tad unlucky and the latter was economical. The others though, especially the two pacers were absolutely brilliant. They got the big wickets and have to say, it is their spell which won their side the game. A word of praise for both Dunith Wellalage and Dhananjaya de Silva too who were absolutely magical with the ball. They not only applied the breaks but got crucial wickets too. A really good effort from the Lankans in the field.
WHAT A WIN! WHAT A BRILLIANT WIN THIS IS FOR LANKA! What a series this has been barring the first two T20Is. Another thriller of a game. In the end, it is Lanka who held their nerve and won it quite comfortably in the end. Credit to the way Dasun Shanaka captained. There were times, where we were sitting here and questioning the changes he is making, the field placement, the plans he wanted his bowlers to work with but all of that has come off really well and in the end, it is his side which has come out on top.
OUT! KNOCKED OVER! What a win for Sri Lanka! Pallekele goes bonkers as they celebrate the victory. Chameera serves a length ball, tailing on leg, with good pace. Matthew Kuhnemann steps forward to defend but the angle was going against him and the ball hits the stumps. Sri Lanka win by 26 runs.
A length ball, outside off. Josh Hazlewood looks to push it but misses.
FOUR! That is very clever from Josh Hazlewood! A lovely upper cut! Shorter and around off, Josh Hazlewood guides it over the keeper and it goes down to the third man fence.
Short of a length and on off. Josh Hazlewood punches off the inner half of the bat and to point.
Josh Hazlewood is the last man in. 31 needed in 39 balls.
OUT! TIMBER! Number 9 down! Sri Lanka can sniff victory now! Length and outside off, Mitchell Swepson goes after it away from the body, he gets an inside edge and it shatters into the stumps.
TWO MORE! Confusion but safe in the end! Shorter and on middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for a couple.
Another run! Fuller and outside off, this is driven through covers for one.
WIDE! Down the leg side, Matthew Kuhnemann looks to flick but misses. Wided.
OUT! TAKEN! A really unnecessary shot from Pat Cummins but what about the catch there! Serves it short and on off. Cummins was looking in two minds, to evade or to pull, he goes with the latter but it goes off the top edge and to deep square leg where Dunith Wellalage runs forward, dives and plucks it in front of him. Exceptional catch from him and Australia are losing their way here.
On a length and around off. Cummins knocks it to covers. He will look to take a single now.