Hosts Sri Lanka dampened Australia’s preparations as they recorded a thumping 174-run victory in the second ODI to seal the series 2-0 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday.
With their Champions Trophy preparations already staggered by the absence of their star pacers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood and all-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis (retired), the series defeat serves as a huge blow to the ODI World Cup world champions.
After opting to bat first, Charith Asalanka’s men put on a hefty 281/5 on the board on the back of wicket-keeper Kusal Mendis’ stroke-filled century. Captain Asalanka and Janith Liyanage then provided a strong finish with their 35-ball 66-run partnership for the fifth wicket. While Asalanka remained unbeaten on 78 off 66 balls, Liyanage struck 32 in 21 balls.
Seed alert!
And it’s triggered a massive collapse for Australia #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/96vgyshEiS
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 14, 2025
Australia’s reply was damaged early with Sri Lanka pacer Asith Fernando removing openers Travis Head, Matt Short and No. 3 Jake Fraser-McGurk within the first seven overs. Spinners Wanindu Hasaranga (3/23) and Dunith Wellalage (4/35) then razed down the middle-order with captain Steve Smith top-scoring at 29.
The -run defeat marked the Aussies’ biggest ODI defeat by runs against Sri Lanka, eclipsing an 82-run loss at the same venue in 2016.
The defeat marked the second successive ODI bilateral series that Australia have lost against the Lankans, with their last triumph dating back to their tour to the country in 2016. The teams last met in an ODI series in Australia in 2012/13 when the five-match series finished 2-2.
Australia will now travel to Lahore where they will meet England in their Champions Trophy opener on February 22. Afghanistan and South Africa are the other teams in the same group.
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