Courtesy: Sri Lanka Cricket
During the second ODI of the two-match series, Sri Lankan batter Kusal Mendis brought up the fourth hundred in his 50-overs career, to play a key role in their comprehensive 174-run win at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. After posting an impressive total of 281/4 on the board with the help of Kusal Mendis’ hundred, Sri Lankan bowlers stepped-up big time, to bowl out the Australian batting lineup for just 107 runs, and clinch the series 2-0.
For the unversed, after winning the toss, Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka decided to bat first, but they lost the wicket of Pathum Nissanka cheaply in the first power play stage. With that, Kusal Mendis arrived at the crease, and he shared an exceptional 98-run stand for the second wicket with Nishan Madushka, who had gone past his fifty in 65 balls before being dismissed by Aaron Hardie.
Kusal Mendis performed exceptionally for Sri Lanka over the past couple of weeks vs Australia at home
Shortly after, the fall of Kamindu Mendis’ wicket brought captain Charith Asalanka to the middle, and he dictated terms to Australia alongside Kusal Mendis, sharing a fourth wicket stand of 94 runs. During this key partnership, the right-handed batter got past hundred for the fourth-time in his career in ODI cricket in 113 balls, to put Sri Lanka in a commanding position to post a substantial total on the board.
Kusal Mendis was eventually dismissed for 101 runs in 115 balls in 11 fours by Adam Zampa, but following that, Charith Asalanka (78 off 66) and Janith Liyanage (32 off 21), helped propel Sri Lanka past 280 runs. In response, Australia were bundled out for 107 runs in 24.2 overs with Dunith Wellalage picking up four wickets, while the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga and Asitha Fernando taking three wickets each.
With that, Sri Lanka won the two-match ODI series 2-0 after losing the Test series, which had two matches, with a 0-2 scoreline earlier this month.
