Massive!! That is a massive win for Sri Lanka. They have beaten Australia in the second ODI match at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. In a rain-impacted match, Sri Lanka defended the lowest total at Pallekele and won the match by 26 runs. Batting first, the home team scored 220/9 in 47.4 when rain stopped the play.
But the rest of the overs couldn’t be completed. As a result, Australia were asked to chase the target of 216 runs in 43 overs as per the DLS method. Australia had a decent start.
Almost every Australian batsman got a start, but none of them could play a big innings. Everything was looking under control till the 34th over. From 170/5, the Men in Yellow lost their last five wickets for just 19 runs and were bowled all out for 189 runs. The Sri Lankan pacers came back excellently. Chamika Karunaratne picked up three wickets and Dusmhmantha Chameera took two wickets.
In the end, it was a big task for the Australian tailenders. The five-match Odi series is level at 1-1 with the third match to start on Sunday at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Karunaratne won the “Man of the Match” for his 18 runs with the bat and 3/47 with the ball.
Twitter reacts after Sri Lanka won against Australia in 2nd ODI
Earlier in the first innings, Kusal Mendis (36 off 41), Dhananjaya de Silva (34 off 41) and skipper Shanaka (34 off 36) all got starts. But none of them could capitalise on the start they got. Pat Cummins was the pick of the bowlers from Australia. He picked up four wickets for just 35 runs.
Glenn Maxwell and debutant Kunhemanm picked up two wickets each. Sri Lanka lost 9 wickets for 199, but the last wicket partnership of an unbeaten 20 runs gave them some hope before the rain stopped the match.