David Warner slammed the first Australian ODI century in Sri Lanka as Australia completed a 4-1 series win over the hosts’ when they comfortably won the fifth and final match by 5 wickets at Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Man-of-the-match Warner and man-of-the-series, George Bailey recorded the highest 3rd wicket stand for Australia in Sri Lanka, 132 runs off 161 balls as they guided Australia’s run chase after their bowlers restricted the home team to 195, Sri Lanka’s worst-ever batting performance in the series.
The Australian skipper, Warner hit his 7th ton, 3rd against Sri Lanka as he finally found form to score his second 50+ score in 11 innings this tour. With this series win, Australia maintains their number 1 ranking in ODI cricket.
Photo Album – Sri Lanka vs Australia – 5th ODI
Defending 195, off-spinner Dilruwan Perera removed make-shift opener, Matthew Wade in the 4th over. Wade was promoted up the order due to a finger injury to Aaron Finch in the field but he was given caught behind after Sri Lanka successfully reviewed the on-field umpires’ decision.
The visitors were restricted to 25 for 2 when Usman Khawaja’s miserable tour of Sri Lanka continued as he came down the track and miscued a slog-drive only to be caught at extra-covers off Dilruwan.
Bailey and Warner survived a tough period when Suranga Lakmal and Dilruwan were on song with the ball early on in the first Powerplay but later on, caressed the field at will when the ball got softer.
Dilruwan captured his 3rd wickets as he caught Bailey plumb in front to end another sensible innings of 44 while Dhananjaya De Silva removed Travis Head for 13 and ended Warner’s magnificent 126-balll 106 which included 9 fours but it was too late for the hosts as Australia reached the winning line with more than 7 overs to spare.
Earlier in the afternoon, Sri Lanka made four changes and opted to bat first for the 8th consecutive time this tour. The fourth opening pair for Sri Lanka this series, Dhananjaya De Silva and Danushka Gunathilaka constructed the highest ever opening stand for the hosts in the whole tour, 73 off 83 balls to put up a brilliant platform for the remaining batsmen.
De Silva’s effortless yet elegant drives and flicks were a treat to watch while Gunathilake used his brute power to crunch the ball through the line. De Silva holed it straight to mid-on as James Faulkner got the initial breakthrough in the 14th over to end his promising 47-ball 34.
In the very next over, Gunathilaka failed to connect a sweep off leg-spinner Adam Zampa as the ball crept through his legs as his knock of 39 off 40 deliveries had an unfortunate end.
Warner brought back his strike bowler, Mitchell Starc for his 2nd spell and immediately saw the back of Sri Lanka’s stand-in skipper Dinesh Chandimal as he feathered through to the keeper.
Kusal Mendis and Upul Tharanga somewhat resurrected the Lankan innings with a vital 43-run stand for the 4th wicket where the former scored 5 fours and a six before the young right-hander was caught behind for 33 off John Hastings.
Part-time spinner, Travis Head drew Tharanga forward and induced him for an expansive drive but the ball lobbed straight to cover-point. Kusal Janith Perera was wrongly given LBW as Head picked up his 2nd wicket. The replays clearly showed a deviation, an inside edge onto the pad but the third-umpire refused to overturn the original decision, out.
Dasun Shanaka was cleaned up a straighter delivery by Zampa while Starc took 2 wickets in 2 deliveries, castling both Dilruwan Perera and Suranga Lakmal. Sachith Pathirana made a valuable contribution of 32 but it was not enough to help Sri Lanka post a substantial score as they were bowled out with 58 balls to spare.
The two-match T20I series will commence at the same venue on Tuesday.
