Charith Asalanka’s first one-day international century and an inspired spin attack led Sri Lanka to a thrilling four-run series win over Australia on Tuesday. Left-handed Asalanka made 110 to lead Sri Lanka to 258, a total that turned out to be just enough to give the hosts an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-game run in Colombo. Opener David Warner’s 99 went in vain as Australia was knocked out for 254.
Spinners Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeffrey Vandersay and fast bowler Chamika Karunaratne, who was the only regular sailor on the team, took two wickets each.
Pat Cummins’ late cameo of 35 and a 12-ball 15 by Matthew Kuhnemann with number 10, who hit three fours as Australia needed 19 from the 50th, gave Sri Lanka a fright.
Previously, Asalanka saved Sri Lanka from a precarious 34-3 when he scored 101 runs with Dhananjaya de Silva, who scored 60. Australian bowlers kept coming back with crucial wickets, but Asalanka reached his century to the cheers of a raucous home crowd who came to their feet to applaud the knock.
Wanindu Hasaranga made a useful cameo of 21 not out as he racked up 34 runs for the eighth wicket with Asalanka.
Asalanka eventually fell to Cummins and Australia quickly ended the innings in 49 overs with two run-outs.
In response, Australia skipper Aaron Finch lost for nothing, with Karunaratne trapping the opener lbw.
Warner kept his cool and made 63 runs with Mitchell Marsh, who looked good for his 26 before falling from Dunith Wellalage’s left arm spin.
Australia lost Marnus Labuschagne and wicketkeeper batsman Alex Carey after they got the start but fell to the Sri Lankan spinners.
The usually attacking Warner held his ground to try and soften the opposition’s attack when he had Travis Head for company and stitched the two 58 runs together for the fifth wicket.
De Silva threw the left-handed Head for 27 and Maheesh Theekshana got Glenn Maxwell lbw stuck for one with a successful review after the on-field umpire dismissed the appeal.
But the big moment came when the southpaw Warner missed his barrel after being punched off the Silva as the home side celebrated the most important wicket.
Cameron Green and Cummins tried to give chase to a score of 31 runs, but Vandersay threw Green.
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Cummins took off in the 49th over, but Kuhnemann fought to the end before hitting the last ball.
The last game is on Friday at the same location.
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