When Sri Lanka went into the One Day Internationals against the Australians this year after whitewashing the visitors 3-0 in the Test Series for the Jat Trophy which preceded the ODI series, the Sri Lankan supporters would have expected the home team to get the better of the tourists.
However, this was not the case as the Aussies dominated proceedings, winning the ODI Series 4-1 and the T20 Series 2-0. Let us now examine how the visitors achieved this remarkable turnaround.
The 1st ODI was played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, where Sri Lanka won the toss and batted first. Sri Lanka scored 227 for 8 wickets in 50 overs with Dinesh Chandimal scoring 80 runs and Kusal mendis 67 runs. Faulkner and Starc picked up 4 and 3 wickets respectively. Australia in turn scored 228 for 7 in 47 overs winning by 3 wickets. Aaron Finch and Steve Smith scored 56 and 58 runs respectively with Dilruwan Perera being the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka claiming 3 wickets for 48 runs.
The 2nd ODI also played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo saw Sri Lanka winning the toss and batting first to score 288 in 50 overs. Kusal Mendis was the top scorer for Sri Lanka with a flamboyant 67 runs. Four other batsmen got 50 plus runs in achieving this total. Adam Zampa took 3 wickets for 42 runs for the Aussies. Sri Lanka bowled out the Aussies for 206 runs to notch a comfortable victory by 82 runs due to disciplined bowling backed up by good fielding. Amila Aponso had outstanding bowling figures of 4 wickets for 19 runs in 9 overs.
The Rangiri Dambulla Stadium hosted the 3rd ODI and Sri Lanka batted first, scoring 226 in 49 overs. Dinesh Chandimal held the batting together in scoring 102 runs. Adam Zampa took 3 wickets for 38 runs. The Aussies in their turn nosed pass the Sri Lankan total to score 227 for 8 in 46 overs. George Bailey (70), Wade (42) and Head (36) scored some valuable runs in achieving this close victory.
The 4th ODI was also played at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium and was a must win game for Sri Lanka to keep the series alive. Mathews won the toss and elected to bat and Sri Lanka scored 212 in 50 overs. Dhananjaya de Silva promoted to open the innings to replace the retired legend T.M. Dilshan showed his ability to fit into any batting position in scoring 76 runs. Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, when Dhananjaya and Mathews had put together a productive partnership Mathews tore a calf muscle and had to retire. This injury shifted the momentum back in Australia’s favour. Hastings took 6 wickets for 45 runs in an incisive spell of bowling. Australia posted 217 for 4 wickets in 31 overs to coast to victory. Bailey (90) and Finch (55) were the main contributors.
Pallakelle Stadium in Kandy was the venue for the 5th ODI, where Sri Lanka batted first and were bowled out for 195 in 40 overs, after an opening stand of 76 runs. Four batsmen scored 30 plus runs but were unable to convert these to 50s which would have made a big difference to the total. Starc stood out as a bowler for Australia claiming 3 wickets for 40 runs. Australia scored the required runs for 5 wickets, with skipper Warner scoring a determined 103 runs.
In the 1st T20 played at Pallekelle Australia, put into bat, scored a phenomenal 263 for 3 wickets. Glen Maxwell dominated the Sri Lankan bowling in scoring 145 not out with 14 fours and 9 sixes, an incredible display of innovative and power batting. Sri Lanka was never in the hunt as they finished with 178 for 9 wickets.
The final game of the long Australian Tour was the 2nd T20 played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Batting first, Sri Lanka mustered 128 runs in 20 overs. Dhananjaya de Silva, once again proved to be a batsman of substance in scoring 62 runs. Australia in the run chase got to 93 for no loss. After the dismissal of Glen Maxwell for a swashbuckling 66 runs, Australia lost 6 wickets for 37 runs but crossed the line by 4 wickets in 18 overs.
Judging by the match results given above, apart from the 2nd ODI where Sri Lanka scored 288 and won comprehensively by 83 runs, I feel that in all other matches, Sri Lanka were 25 to 30 runs short of the par score. On the other hand the Australians realizing the importance of restricting the Sri Lankan score to less than 225, bowled and fielded brilliantly in most games and achieved this plan. Warner, who took over the Captaincy from Steve Smith who was sent back to Australia on the grounds that he needed rest, handled his bowling attack judiciously, introducing his strike bowler at the right time to take wickets and restrict the Sri Lanka scores.
Australia also realized that they had to get the maximum runs in the bowling power play when only 2 fielders are permitted outside the 30 yard circle. Aaron Finch in the ODIs and Glen Maxwell in the T20s executed this plan to perfection.
Thus the Australians were able to turnaround the 3-0 whitewash they received in the Test Series to a near whitewash of Sri Lanka in the ODI and T20 Series’ winning handsomely by a 6-1 margin.
