Sri Lanka gets consolation win but Australia take series

Match Report – 5th ODI: Sri Lanka v Australia, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, 22 August 2011

Australia already had the ODI series in bag, but Sri Lanka got some pride and momentum back ahead of the all important 3-match Test series, by winning the 5th and last ODI.

Initially it was Malinga who restricted Australians to a below par total, becoming the first man to grab three hat-tricks in ODIs, followed by Mahela Jayawardene’s cool head to take his side home.

Sri Lanka batted first after winning the toss. They rested Kulasekara, while Jeevan Mendis and Chamara Silva returned. Australia, strangely, went in with a new-look attack. Brett Lee and Bollinger were rested in favour of James Pattison and John Hastings.

Shaminda Eranga got Shaun Marsh in his first over, but Ponting and Watson played solidly negating Malinga’s opening burst effectively. Ricky Ponting was looking in good form for his boundary-filled 31, but his innings was cut short by Angelo Mathews who deceived him with a slower off-cutter.

Michael Clarke continued to exploit his good form, and in company with Watto, he took the score to 127 in the 28th over, when Ajantha Mendis accounted for him through a catch in the deep. Watson made 56 off 84 balls, with 6 fours and a six off Jeevan Mendis.

Australia then lost wickets regularly, including Clarke for 47, to be bowled out in the 47th over for a disappointing 211. Only David Hussey showed some resilience with nearly run-a-ball 46. Lasith Malinga was the chief destroyer who, aided with his reverse swing and lethal Yorkers, got his hat-trick by removing Johnson (yorked), Hastings (LBW) and Xavier Doherty (yorked) in successive balls.

Sri Lanka’s start was not an auspicious one, losing three before the score of 33. After Johnson removed Tharanga for zero in the first over, James Pattinson showed his potential by getting two prized scalps. Sangakkara edged behind, while Dilshan played on after making a quick-fire 17.

Mahela Jayawardene and Chamara Silva stopped Australia from inflicting any more damage and they did that for a time long enough to see their team through the tough period. Chamara, perhaps with his future on the line, played beautifully and outscored Mahela, who chose to sit back and see over the chase.

Sri Lanka’s hundred was brought up in the 18th over, which was celebrated by Chamara with two back-to-back sweeps off Doherty, one for a six and the other for a four. He brought up his fifty on the 51st ball he faced, but Doherty got him off another attempted sweep for 63 (71b 8x4 1x6).

Rain stopped play with Sri Lanka on 144 for 4 in 26.4 overs, but when play resumed after 45-odd minutes, Mahela and Mathews shut the door on Australians with a 51-run partnership for the 5th wicket. Although both got out, Sri Lanka reached home in 47 overs. Mahela made 71 off 119 balls with 6 fours, but Malinga got the nod for player of the match award.

After Sri Lanka had run over Australia in the T20Is, Australia came back strongly to win the ODI series 3-2. The ensuing 3-match Test series offers great contest between two evenly matched teams.

Summarized Scores:

Sri Lanka 213/6 in 47 overs (M Jayawardene 71, Pattinson 2/41) beat Australia 211/10 in 46.1 overs (S Watson 56, Malinga 3/35) by 4 wickets

Player of the match: SL Malinga

Player of the series: MJ Clarke