Sri Lankan spinner Dunith Wellalage claimed four wickets, leading to Australia’s lowest total in Asia as they suffered a 174-run defeat in the second ODI on Friday.
Australia, testing their lineup for the upcoming Champions Trophy, failed to chase the target of 282 in Colombo and were dismissed for 107 runs. They lost their final seven wickets for just 28 runs.
“Not the best result we wanted. We used lot of players and everyone got a game,” Australia captain Steve Smith said.
“Credit to Sri Lanka. They deserved the series win. We struggled a bit in Colombo… Their bowlers were superb.”
Asitha Fernando started strong with figures of 3-23 in four overs before Sri Lanka’s spinners took control. Wellalage dismissed Josh Inglis with a skiddy arm ball and then removed Glenn Maxwell, finishing with 4-35.
Wanindu Hasaranga picked up three wickets, including Smith’s dismissal. The victory secured a 2-0 series win for Sri Lanka against the defending world champions and moved them to fifth in the ODI rankings.
Sri Lanka’s absence from the Champions Trophy, following their ninth-place finish in the 2023 World Cup, was highlighted by this performance.
“Not often you beat Australia,” Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said. “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.”
The Sri Lankan batting display silenced recent critics. Kusal Mendis scored 101, his fifth ODI century and first against Australia.
Nishan Madushka contributed 51 runs, while Asalanka scored an unbeaten 78 from 66 balls, including six fours and three sixes.
Kusal and Madushka shared a 98-run partnership for the second wicket after an early loss. Kusal then paired with Asalanka for a 94-run fourth-wicket partnership.
Australia made five changes to their team ahead of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and Dubai. Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, and Ben Dwarshuis were included.
Alex Carey, Marnus Labuschagne, Cooper Connolly, Spencer Johnson, and Nathan Ellis were left out of the lineup.