After Sri Lanka’s terrific victory against Australia in the first ODI, the Aussies were expected to ring in the changes for the second and final match of the series at Colombo, which they did. 5 changes were made including the return of Travis Head, Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell. However, the result was even a more brutal loss for the reigning World Champions and with Mitch Starc too ruled out of the Champions Trophy, the Aussies suddenly look weak.
Kusal Mendis ( 101 ), who has been in terrific form off late scored a brilliant ton against a toothless Aussie bowling attack. Charith Asalanka picked from where he left his last innings with another magnificent performance scoring a quickfire 78* of just 66 balls to set a tough 282 run target for Australia.
The Aussies were no match for the incisive swing and spin attack of Sri Lanka. Once Travis Head departed early, the other batters were clueless. Mathew Short and Fraser-Mcgurk do not have the ability to play quality bowling. They may survive in T20s but in the longer versions they are bound to be found out.
Steve Smith and Josh Inglis held on for a while, but the fall of Josh Inglis, triggered a collapse and decimation of the Australian middle and lower order. Maxwell too perished in the heap and the Aussie innings succumbed for just 107 losing to Sri Lanka by a massive 174 runs.
Lanka blanked Australia 2-0 in the series and handed a reality check to the Aussies who look a much weaker outfit without Pat Cummins, Starc and Hazelwood. The second rung bowling attack is far too average to cause any serious problems to good teams on sub- continent pitches. The Batting is heavily dependant on Travis Head, Steve Smith and Alex Carey.
Charith Asalanka was declared the Player of The Series and Kusal Mendis won the Player of the Match.