PALLAKELE: Pacer Chamika Karunaratne led the offense while Sri Lankan bowlers stunned Australia to clinch a 26-run victory in the rain-affected second ODI, here on Thursday.
Sri Lanka rebounded from their initial setback in the five-match ODI series, as Australia were bowled out for 189 in 37.1 overs while chasing a rain-revised target of 216 runs in 43 overs.
Right-arm bowler Karunatne was awarded Man of the Match as he sent three Aussie batters to the pavilion including Steve Smith, for 28, and the dangerous Glenn Maxwell for 30. Dunith Wellalage and Dushmantha Chameera, on the other hand, took two wickets each.
All-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva also contributed with crucial two wickets as he was able to get rid of both the opening batters, Aaron Finch and David Warner. He also minted 34 with the bat and put on 61 runs for the third wicket with Kusal Mendis.
Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka played a humble knock of 34 followed by Wellalage’s 20 to guide Sri Lanka to 220 for nine when rain forced play to stop and later end the innings.
Australian fast bowler Pat cummin impressed with his figures of 4-35 but his efforts went in vain.
Australia, on the other hand, failed to impress with the bat and lost wickets at regular intervals. Smith and Maxwell tried to unsettle the Sri Lankan bowlers during their brief knocks before both fell prey to Karunaratne.
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