Sri Lanka Crush Australia by 174 Runs to Seal Historic 2-0 ODI Series Sweep

Australia's Champions Trophy preparations took a major hit after Sri Lanka delivered a ruthless performance in Colombo, winning the second ODI by 174 runs and sealing the series 2-0. With the first ODI loss coming less than 48 hours earlier, Australia looked completely overwhelmed at the crease, getting bowled out in just 25 overs while chasing a target of 282.

Just like in the first ODI, skipper Charith Asalanka stepped up with the bat for Sri Lanka, though he wasn’t alone in the spotlight. Wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis also shined, hitting a century, and he built a solid partnership with Nishan Madushka after Aaron Hardie dismissed Pathum Nissanka. While Madushka played some stylish shots, Sri Lanka only managed 27 runs in the first nine overs until Kusal and Madushka took charge, targeting Matthew Short in his very first over.

The two batters kept the momentum going by consistently rotating the strike, ensuring that Sri Lanka didn't lose wickets in quick succession like they had in the opening game. By the end of 20 overs, they had managed just 86 runs on the board. Then Kusal broke free, smashing two boundaries off Adam Zampa and following them up with another two off Glenn Maxwell in the very next over to reach his fifty. Just as the partnership began to look threatening, Madushka top-edged a pull and was dismissed for 51, while Australia also cheaply got rid of Kamindu Mendis.

Australia’s Spin Struggles and Dramatic Collapse

The two batters maintained the flow by carefully rotating the strike, ensuring that Sri Lanka avoided the wicket losses they suffered in the first game. After 20 overs, they had only managed 86 runs. Then Kusal ended the drought, scoring two boundaries off Adam Zampa and then two off Glenn Maxwell in the next over to reach his half-century. Just when their association was beginning to make a genuine threat, Madushka top-edged a pull and was out for 51, and Australia also got rid of Kamindu Mendis cheaply.

When Travis Head initiated the run chase with three boundaries from the opening over, Sri Lanka would have questioned whether they had sufficient on the board. But all the questions were dispelled after Asitha Fernando's fantasy new ball spell in which he dismissed the Australian top order within seven overs. After cleaning Short lbw, Fernando dismissed Jake Fraser-McGurk with a knuckle ball before Head was caught deep.

Though Steve Smith did attempt to break the shackles with a four and a six off Dunith Wellalage before combining with Josh Inglis, the Australians just collapsed in front of spin. Wellalage's arm ball had Inglis cleaned up for 22 and thereafter, it was one-way traffic. Hasaranga joined the fun soon as wickets just fell in heaps, including that of Smith and Maxwell. From 79/3, Australia was now in tatters at 83/7 in a breathtaking collapse which left only one outcome. Wellalage ended with four while Hasaranga took three as the visitors were bowled out for 107.