Middle order steers Aussies home in tense chase

Australia’s middle-order overcame a stern examination by Sri Lanka’s spinners on a difficult surface to win the final ODI of their five-match series versus Sri Lanka by four wickets at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday.

Dunith Wellalage (3 for 42) and Maheesh Theekshana (2 for 26) were all over the Australian top-order who were chasing an under-par total, but Alex Carey (45 no) and Cameron Green (25 no) held their nerve to see Australia over the line and record a consolation win despite having lost the ODI series.

The visitors’ chase began on a disastrous note with Captain Aaron Finch perishing after a torrid working over by Theekshana that saw him survive two close calls before eventually gloving an attempted sweep off his third ball at the crease. David Warner then followed with a leaping Danushka Gunathilaka intercepting a full-blooded crack down the ground off the bowling of Wellalage.

Theekshana then had Josh Inglis on ODI debut caught at leg-slip that had the visitors floundering at 19 for 3. Mitchell Marsh fought his way to 20 but became debutant Pramod Madushan’s first international wicket in an ill-judged attempt to go aerial. 

A half-century stand between Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey helped steady the ship but Sri Lanka came roaring back into the contest courtesy Wellalage’s second spell where he produced two beautiful ripping deliveries to send Labuschagne and thereafter the dangerous Glenn Maxwell back to the pavilion.

However, it was not to be for the home side as Green paired up with Carey to knock off the remaining 40 runs for victory.

Batting first, the home side was in danger of failing to even make three figures before a gutsy run-a-ball knock of 75 by Chamika Karunaratne gave the total a degree of respectability.

Left to bat with the tail, the right-hander manipulated the field to great effect and played several eye-catching strokes while stitching together a 58-run partnership for the ninth wicket with debutant Pramod Madushan. 

The pair batted through 17 overs, and while Madushan only made 15 in his 52 deliveries at the wicket, it gave Karunaratne much needed support that enabled him to record his maiden international half-century that was brought up with an authoritative pull to the mid-wicket boundary.

Madushan was eventually dismissed caught and bowled by Green in the 42nd over, and left with just number 11 for company, Karunaratne decided to chance his arm. He smacked Labuschagne’s leg-spin for two powerful sixes but eventually fell trying to take on the returning Pat Cummins.

Earlier, Australia’s pacemen claimed three scalps in the opening powerplay with Pathum Nissanka edging to the wicket keeper while Danuska Gunathilaka and the returning Dinesh Chandimal both hitting the ball straight to the Australian captain on the thirty-yard circle
Kusal Mendis (26) appeared in fine touch, unfurling three crisp strokes through the off-side ring to start with. However, his efforts to mount a recovery with hero of the last game, Charith Asalanka, were brought to a screeching halt as the latter was run out in a dreadful mix up, which was followed by Mendis treading on his stumps the very next ball while attempting a pull. 

The parade of wickets continued as Wellalage injudiciously tried to hit Matt Kuhnemann over the top off just his second ball only to find Pat Cummins at mid-on. Captain Dasun Shanaka followed in the very same over with his stumps rattled by an innocuous half-volley on leg-stump, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 62 for seven before Karunaratne and the lower-order began their recovery efforts.

Following the game, loud chants of “Australia!, Australia!” were heard throughout the stadium by fans who had come largely dressed in yellow to appreciate the touring side for making the journey for an all-format tour amidst the economic crisis in Sri Lanka.

By Amindha de Alwis at the R. Premadasa Stadium