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The second and final One Day International (ODI) match between Sri Lanka and Australia concluded with a resounding victory for the hosts, leaving the Australian team reeling from their worst ever performance in Asia. Chasing a seemingly manageable 282 runs in Colombo, Australia's batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of Sri Lanka's disciplined bowling attack, ultimately succumbing for a paltry 107 runs – a catastrophic collapse that saw them lose their final seven wickets for a mere 28 runs. This stunning defeat marks a 2-0 series whitewash for Australia, the defending world champions, a result that will undoubtedly raise serious questions about their current form and preparation for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
The architects of Australia's downfall were Sri Lanka's spinners, led by the exceptional Dunith Wellalage. Wellalage's masterful display showcased his skill and precision, dismantling the Australian batting order with a devastating spell of 4 wickets for 35 runs. His performance was highlighted by two particularly impactful deliveries that clean-bowled dangerous batsmen Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell, triggering the dramatic collapse that followed. The sheer dominance of Sri Lanka's spinners, complemented by Asitha Fernando's fiery opening spell of 3-23, left the Australian batsmen struggling to cope with the relentless pressure and accurate bowling. Even Australian captain Steve Smith fell victim to the spin, trapped plumb in front by Wanindu Hasaranga, who added to the misery by claiming three wickets himself, further exposing the vulnerability of the Australian batting line-up against quality spin bowling.
The match also served as a stark reminder of Sri Lanka's prowess, particularly their resurgence in spin bowling. Despite missing the upcoming Champions Trophy after a disappointing ninth-place finish in the 2023 World Cup, their performance against Australia sends a strong message to the cricketing world of their potential. Their absence from the tournament will undoubtedly be felt, highlighting the quality they possess. The series victory underscores Sri Lanka's impressive growth and tactical approach to the game, reminding the international cricketing community of their capabilities. Their success against a team of Australia's caliber is a significant achievement and further solidifies their position in the ODI rankings, moving them to fifth place globally. This triumph provides a much-needed boost to their confidence and a statement of intent for future matches.
In contrast to Sri Lanka's outstanding performance, Australia's approach to the match was characterized by experimentation. With five changes to their lineup – incorporating Maxwell, Sangha, Head, Inglis, and Dwarshuis, replacing Carey, Labuschagne, Connolly, Johnson, and Ellis – the team clearly aimed to test different combinations ahead of the Champions Trophy. However, this strategy backfired spectacularly, highlighting the challenges of integrating new players into a team under pressure. The extent of the loss, the record-low total in Asia, and the manner in which the wickets fell, reveal a considerable gap between the performances of the two teams, leaving Australia needing a significant overhaul in their preparation and strategy for the upcoming tournament.
Sri Lanka's batting performance also deserves considerable praise. Kusal Mendis's outstanding century, his fifth ODI ton and first against Australia, formed the cornerstone of their impressive total. His contributions, coupled with half-centuries from Nishan Madushka and captain Charith Asalanka, who smashed an unbeaten 78, laid a strong foundation for their victory. The partnership between Mendis and Madushka, adding 98 runs for the second wicket, provided stability after an early loss, and the subsequent partnership between Mendis and Asalanka, with a 94-run stand for the fourth wicket, further cemented Sri Lanka's dominance. This display of strong batting further enhanced their impressive performance and left Australia chasing a challenging target, a target they failed to reach by a considerable margin, leading to a humiliating defeat.
The aftermath of the match revealed contrasting sentiments from both captains. While Australia's Steve Smith acknowledged the result was not ideal and praised Sri Lanka's performance, Sri Lanka's Charith Asalanka expressed his team's delight at achieving victory over Australia, highlighting the exceptional performance of the spin bowlers. Asalanka also expressed disappointment at missing the Champions Trophy, a sentiment echoed within the Sri Lankan team. Their focus now shifts to learning from their past World Cup performance to avoid repeating past mistakes and preparing for future tournaments. The match served as a significant benchmark in both teams' journeys, marking a critical point in their respective preparations for the upcoming Champions Trophy and other international competitions. The disparity in performance serves as a compelling indicator of the need for improvement and strategic refinement for Australia, while Sri Lanka will undoubtedly draw confidence from their significant victory.
Source: 7 Wickets For 28 Runs: Australia Hit All-Time Low, Whitewashed By Sri Lanka