Sri Lanka beat Australia by 174 runs

Sri Lanka beat Australia by 174 runs in their second one-day international and sweep the series 2-0.

Australia, holders of the Cricket World Cup after their 2023 victory in India, lost their last seven wickets for 28 runs on Friday to be bowled out for 107 runs in the 25th over in Colombo.

Kusal Mendis scored his fifth century, and Dunith Wellalage has taken four wickets. 

Sri Lanka made a competitive 281-4 in their 50 overs after captain Charith Asalanka had won the toss and elected to bat first. 

Mendis top-scored with 101 and was well supported by Asalanka, who followed up a fighting century in the first game with an unbeaten 78.

“Very pleased with where we are. We were ranked very low a few months ago,” Mendis said. “We worked really hard. This is a result of that commitment.”

Opener Nishan Madushka scored his second one-day international half-century to be dismissed for 51.
Fast bowler Sean Abbott had the best bowling figures of 1-41.

Australia’s score is its second lowest against Sri Lanka after the 74 all out it made in 2013. Sri Lanka’s margin of victory is also its largest win by runs in one-day internationals against Australia.

It was the Australians’ last match before their Champions League opener against England in Pakistan on February 22.

Source: Agencies