Sri Lanka vs Australia 4th ODI: Sri Lanka triumphed by four wickets to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. The hosts grabbed wickets at regular intervals after giving Australia a 259-run target until 19 runs were required off the last over.
Matthew Kuhnemann spiced things up by smashing three fours in the over to reduce the equation to five runs needed off the last ball. Dasun Shanaka, on the other hand, struck out the Australian batter to assist his team to a four-run victory.
VICTORY 🇱🇰
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) June 21, 2022
Sri Lanka beat Australia by 4 runs and seal the series 3-1 with one match to go! 🎉️#SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/Ao1bgSh0ir
Earlier in the day, Charith Asalanka scored his first one-day century and saved Sri Lanka from a top-order collapse before Australia bowled his side out for 258 in the fourth ODI on Tuesday.
After being called in to bat first, the hosts fell to 34-3, with fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, and spinner Matthew Kuhnemann each claiming two wickets. In the second over of the innings, Glenn Maxwell struck first with his off-spin, dismissing wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella for one.
Kusal Mendis was quickly sent back for 14 by Cummins, while previous match hero Pathum Nissanka was sent back for 13 by Marsh. With a combination of prudence and aggressiveness, left-handed Asalanka (110) and Dhananjaya de Silva (60) combined for a 101-run partnership that pulled their side back to a respectable total.
Last ball thriller
Matthew Kuhnemann, Australia’s No. 10 hitter, needed to score five runs to win Sri Lanka outright and keep the five-match series alive, but he was caught by Dasun Shanaka at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
After Sri Lanka was bowled for 258 in 49 overs, Australia concluded on 254 all out after 50 overs, with David Warner hitting 99. For the visitors, Charith Asalanka hit a 106-ball 110.
Since 2010, Sri Lanka has not won an ODI series against Australia. That series victory took place in Australia. After winning the toss, Australia chose to bowl first. The risk nearly paid off.
After winning the toss, Australia chose to bowl first. The risk nearly paid off.
The crowd goes wild in Colombo as 🇱🇰 beat 🇦🇺 by 4 runs to seal the #AUSvSL series! 🙌🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/HXmIYmooLc
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) June 21, 2022
Joy in Adversity
Among everything that is going on in the country, this win brings some happiness to the people of Sri Lanka. While they continue to yell and scream against the government of Sri Lanka, life continues on around them almost as normally as one might expect when it comes to the thrill of cricket.
