By: Mohit Singhal
SL Vs Aus Match: In a game that can be termed as a low-scoring encounter, Australia swept the series away with three wickets in hand. Courtsey some wonderful bowling effort by the pair of Richardson who shared 7 of the Sri Lankan wickets between themselves to shatter the hopes of some celebration for Lankan fans in the midst of the economic crisis.
Wanindu Hasaranga almost rumbled up the Kangaroo chase with a fearsome spell of (4/33) but in the end Matthew Wade (26*) ensured no further choke by crossing the line.
After winning the toss at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo Australia skipper Aaron Finch opted to chase the score on a pace friendly pitch.
Glenn Maxwell made his skipper proud of the decision by delivering a wicket in the very first over of Danushka Gunathilaka.
Worse got going as Pathum Nissanka too fall prey to Jhye Richardson edging the ball straight to third-man in an attempt to clear over cover.
Number 4 batter Kusal Mendis stitched a 66-run alliance with Charith Asalanka for the third wicket to resist the Aussie attack before later succumbed to the Maxwell trying to up the run-rate.
It meant another batting collapse for the Sri Lanka as Oz kept picking up wickets in regular interval and halted the scorecard to just 124/9 after 20 overs.
Kangaroo pulled out 5 wickets in death overs leaking only 28 runs. It included three wickets for Kane Richardson in the final over. 31-year-old pacer finished his spell with figures of (4/30).
Australia went to a mixed-up start accumulating a commendable 63 runs in the first 6 overs with losing three wickets. While Hasaranga sent Finch and Mitchell Marsh back to the hunt, Steve Smith was given lbw out off Nuwan Thushara.
Warner (21) too got indulged in the mix-up between the wickets as hunt started looking dim for now. 24-year-old leggie Hasaranga striked two consecutive wickets to left Aussie trail on 99/7 after 12 overs.
Then, Wade and Richardson guided Finch and company to a second win on the trot in this series and sealed the series with one more game to go. Wade was given the man of the match award for keeping the nerves tight under pressure and to take visitors home.
