Sri Lanka 214 (Asalanka 127, Wellalage 30, Abbott 3-61, Hardie 2-13, Ellis 2-23, Johnson 2-44) beat Australia 165 (Carey 41, Hardie 32, Theekshana 4-40, Fernando 2-23) by 49 runs
Simply three days after the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy ended, Sri Lanka’s batting woes continued at 135 for 8 till Asalanka took over with a flurry within the backend and capitalised on a tiring Australia assault in humid circumstances.
It was a disappointment for Brief who seems to be set to open alongside Head on the Champions Trophy. He struggled towards Pakistan within the white-ball sequence in November, however did smash a fast century for Strikers within the BBL.
Jake Fraser-McGurk additionally endured a run of low scores towards Pakistan and within the BBL earlier than clubbing 95 off 46 balls for Renegades of their last sport towards Warmth. It was a belligerent innings that introduced him again into the nationwide choice body.
He normally is all crash and brash, however seemed unsure towards the shifting ball and his solely scoring pictures had been singles. However on his ninth supply Fraser-McGurk provided a forefront which was effectively taken low by Fernando in his observe by way of.
Charith Asalanka scored 127 out of Sri Lanka’s 214•Getty Photos
Sri Lanka didn’t qualify for the Champions Trophy, however continued their robust ODI type having claimed an eighth win from their final 12 matches.
The tip end result seemed completely unlikely earlier within the day when Australia’s bowlers dominated a lot of Sri Lanka’s innings. Spin was anticipated to characteristic prominently on a dry floor, however Australia had been rewarded for choosing a seam-heavy assault with appreciable motion on provide amid occasional overcast skies.
Dunith Wellalage knocked over Steve Smith•AFP/Getty Photos
Sri Lanka’s high order was uncovered towards the shifting ball after Asalanka elected to bat having gained the toss. He eyed a complete of round 270, however Australia’s quicks instantly discovered a harmful again of a size.
Opener Pathum Nissanka hoped to shrug off a double failure within the second Take a look at, however was undone by minimal footwork as Johnson claimed his first ODI wicket in his third match.
Having made all the fitting strikes through the Take a look at sequence, Smith’s intestine instincts once more proved appropriate when Hardie was given the brand new ball forward of frontline quicks Ellis and Abbott. He dismissed Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis behind the wicket, bowling at speeds round 135kph.
He completed with 2 for 9 from his four-over opening spell having solely returned to bowling late within the BBL season because of ongoing quad points. It was a tonic for Australia, who will enter the Champions Trophy with out the companies of injured Mitchell Marsh and retired Marcus Stoinis.
Johnson claimed his second wicket when Kamindu Mendis’ poor run continued after he chipped tamely to sq. leg. Lengthy touted as a successor to Starc, Johnson bowled constantly round 140kph and his rearing bounce created complications for Sri Lanka’s batters.
It was left to Asalanka to show issues round and he began with a 67-run sixth-run partnership with Wellalage as they performed legspinner Adam Zampa with ease.
Simply when Sri Lanka had some momentum, Smith stepped in with a one-handed blinder to his proper at slip when Wellalage poked at Brief’s offspin.
Recent off main Hobart Hurricanes to their first BBL title, Ellis had been unfortunate in his first spell however returned with the wickets of Hasaranga and Theekshana as Sri Lanka appeared set for a lowly rating.
Asalanka had different concepts as he overcame cramps to show the innings on its head. He hogged the strike, however obtained strong assist from Malinga, whose sole intent was to dam the uncommon deliveries he confronted. Asalanka notched his fourth ODI century with a single off Ellis earlier than Malinga scored his first run off the twenty first supply he had confronted.
Asalanka’s heroics ended within the forty sixth over by the hands of Abbott, however he had effectively and really sparked his staff to life.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based mostly in Perth
