by: Atif Amin
Srilanka won the 2nd ODI vs Australia by 26 runs to level the series at 1-1. Australia was chasing 216 in 43 overs after rain curtailed the first innings. They only got to 189. Sri Lanka’s spinners were big threats on a big-spinning surface. Dhananjaya de Silva claimed the first two dismissals with his off-spin before Dunith Wellalage took vital middle-order wickets later on.
But their quicks were major contributors as well. Dushmantha Chameera took 2 for 19 from his 6.1 overs, deservedly bowling the delivery that won Sri Lanka the match. Chamika Karunaratne was far more expensive, conceding 47 from seven overs, but took three wickets, including the vital one of Glenn Maxwell. Warner top-scored for Australia with 37 while Maxell scored 30.
Earlier, Cummins had rocked it with the ball. He’d taken wickets with the new ball, through the middle overs, and then at the death, using his various cutters and slower balls to excellent effect. Debutant left-arm-spinner Kuhnemmann took 2 for 48, while Maxwell returned even better figures, claiming 2 for 35 from his full quota. Legspinner Mitchell Swepson claimed one scalp too. Together, they never really let Sri Lanka’s innings hit its straps, outside of that 61-run third-wicket stand. For Srilanka Medis top-scored with 36 while skipper Shanka scored 34.
Chamika Karunaratne was adjudged as player of the match for his 3 wickets and brilliant run-out of Alex Carey
Brief Match Score:
Sri Lanka 220 for 9 (Mendis 36, de Silva 34, Shanaka 34, Cummins 4-35) beat
Australia 189 (Warner 37, Maxwell 30, Karunaratne 3-47) by 26 runs (DLS method)
