- Australia thrashed by Sri Lanka in final ODI
- Sri Lanka win by 174 runs, bowling out Australia for 107
- Australia suffer 2-0 series defeat ahead of Champions Trophy
Australia’s injury-hit team suffered a crushing 174-run defeat to Sri Lanka in their final one-day international before the Champions Trophy. The world champions were bowled out for a paltry 107 runs in pursuit of 281, sealing a 2-0 series defeat against a side that failed to qualify for the tournament.
The Australian batting lineup crumbled against Sri Lanka’s spinners on a slow, turning pitch in Colombo. After a promising start, the team lost their final seven wickets for just 28 runs. Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage sparked the collapse by bowling Josh Inglis for 22 and finished with impressive figures of 4-35.
Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga also wreaked havoc, claiming the wickets of Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, and Steve Smith, who was lbw for 29. Hasaranga ended with 3-23, while Wellalage’s spin partner, Praveen Jayawickrama, chipped in with 2-25.
Earlier, Kusal Mendis hit a century (101 from 115 balls) and Charith Asalanka scored an unbeaten 78 from 66 deliveries to propel Sri Lanka to 281-4.
Australian captain Steve Smith, standing in for the injured Pat Cummins, acknowledged that his team had been outplayed. “We have been outplayed but used a lot of players and got a lot out of it,” Smith said. “It was a fine bowling performance by Sri Lanka and not a great batting performance. We will keep moving forward. Credit to Sri Lanka.”
The defeat comes as a setback for Australia, who are already grappling with injuries to key players, including Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh. The team will face England in their Champions Trophy opener on February 22.
