Sri Lanka thrash Australia by 174 runs in 2nd ODI
What's the story
In the second ODI of the series, Sri Lanka posted a challenging target of 282 for Australia.
The hosts' total was mainly due to Kusal Mendis's brilliant century and skipper Charith Asalanka's unbeaten 78.
The match was played on a less lively pitch in Colombo as compared to the first ODI, with occasional sharp turns seen on the dry surface.
In response, the Aussies were folded for a paltry score of 107. Dunith Wellalage claimed four wickets.
Bowling challenges
Australia's bowling summary
Australia's bowling attack struggled with the absence of key players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, and Marcus Stoinis.
Ben Dwarshuis was given an opportunity to show his skills with the new ball. Dwarshuis managed 1/47 from 10 overs (1 maiden).
Despite the struggles, Sean Abbott managed to redeem himself from a poor show in the first ODI, returning with figures of 1/41 off 10 overs.
Meanwhile, Aaron Hardie claimed 1/60 (9 overs). Adam Zampa collected 1/47.
Mendis
Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis chips in with two massive stands
Mendis arrived in the middle with the scorecard reading 15/1 as Pathum Nissanka Departed early. He joined forces with the young Nishan Madushka (51) and the duo added 98 runs for the second wicket.
Mendis continued to bat well even after the opener's departure and reached the three-figure mark.
He also added 94 runs runs with skipper Asalanka before falling to Zampa.
Stats
5th ODI ton for Mendis
Mendis was dismissed for 101 off 115 balls as he smoked 15 boundaries. His career-best score against Australia takes him to a total of 4,429 ODI runs at an average of 34.60.
In addition to five tons, he owns 33 fifties. In 14 matches versus the Aussies, Mendis has amassed 582 runs at 48.50.
The tally includes four fifties besides a ton.
Information
3,000 ODI runs in Asia
Each of Mendis's five ODI centuries have come in Asia. En route to his latest ton, he completed 3,000 ODI runs in the continent. He has piled up 3,093 runs at 36.82. Mendis has managed 21 fifties alongside his five tons in Asia.
Asalanka
Destruction from Asalanka
The Lankans were decently placed at 121/3 when Asalanka arrived. He joined forces with centurion Mendis and the duo added 94 runs.
Asalanka was positive from the outset but also played risk-free cricket. In Janith Liyanage (32*), he got another potent partner after Mendis's departure as the duo went berserk in death overs.
Sri Lanka scored 97 runs in the last 10 overs as Asalanka returned unbeaten on 78*.
Duo
Madushka, Asalanka power SL with half-centuries vs Australia
Madushka was dismissed for 52 off 71 balls as he smoked four fours and a maximum.
This was his maiden fifty in the format and a maiden one against the Aussies.
With this knock, he has raced to 153 runs across three ODI innings at 52.66.
Asalanka's 78* was laced with six fours and three sixes. He faced 66 balls. With this knock, Asalanka has raced to 2,374 runs at 43.16. This was his 15th ODI fifty (100s: 4).
Information
Only three Aussie batters score in double digits
Only three Aussie batters scored in double digits. Travis Head smacked 18 from 18 balls. Skipper Steve Smith was the top scorer with 29 from 34 balls. Josh Inglis managed 22.
Duo
Dunith Wellalage and Hasaranga excel for SL
Dunith Wellalage claimed 4/35 from 7.2 overs. The spinner has raced to 37 scalps from 29 matches at 28.91. This was his maiden 4-fer in ODIs. He has two fifers.
In 8 ODIs versus the Aussies, he owns 16 wickets at 20.l2, as per ESPNcricinfo.
Meanwhile, Wanindu Hasaranga chipped in with 3/23 from 7 overs.
He has raced to 99 ODI wickets at 25.19.
Words
We have been outplayed, says Smith
After SL's win, Aussie skipper Smith said his side was outplayed and credited Sri Lanka for being superb.
"We have been outplayed in these last two games, we have used a lot of players here. We kept moving forward but credit to Sri Lanka. They have been brilliant in this series. Their bowlers played exceptionally well, it skidded on well on this wicket and made things tough," Smith said.