COLOMBO, June 21: Hosts Sri Lanka held on until the final ball to clinch a thrilling 4-run match and unassailable 3-1 series victory over Australia, at the R Premadasa Stadium, here on Tuesday. The Aussies looked to be cruising towards the target at one point, before Sri Lanka’s spinners ambushed them towards the last fifth of the game.
Australia needed 19 off the last over with tailender Matthew Kuhnemann on strike. Dasun Shanaka, who bowled the last over, managed a dot ball off the first ball before Kuhnemann smashed him for 4, 2, 4, 4.
With five needed off the last delivery, Shanaka bowled a slower one and Kuhnemann lofted straight into the hands of Charith Asalanka, giving Sri Lanka a four-run win.
The visitors got close to the target thanks to a rock-solid innings of 99 by David Warner an
Earlier, Asalanka hit his maiden ODI century (110) and along with Dhananjaya de Silva (60) lifted Sri Lanka from 34 for 3 with a century-stand, de Silva making a smooth 60 off 61. The win sealed the series 3-1 – Sri Lanka’s first bilateral series win at home over Australia in 30 years. (Agencies)
