Tri-series: Australia scrape past Sri Lanka by five runs

By Sohail Zafar on Friday, 10th February 2012

Australia celebrates Kumar Sangakkara's dismissal

Angelo Mathews scored an enterprising half-century but failed to held nerves in the final moments as Australia succeeded to record a lip-smacking five-run victory over Sri Lanka in the third one-day international of triangular series at WACA Ground Perth on Friday.

Mathews hit 64 from 76 deliveries after making his way to the middle with Sri Lanka wobbling at 5-119 in the 28th over in pursue of Australia’s modest 231.

Sri Lanka needed 18 runs off the last over and appeared set to snatch an implausible victory after Mathews lashed left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc for a boundary and then a six off the first two deliveries but in attempt to smash a six off penultimate ball caught to Daniel Christian on the long-on.

After reducing Sri Lanka to 180-9 in 44.2, Australia were itching the wrap up the game soon but Mathews and tail-ender Dhammika Prasad (15 not out) combined for an exciting 46-run final-wicket partnership to keep every one in the jam-packed stadium on their toes.

Australia VS Sri Lanka: Dilshan, Sangakkara added 50 runs

Prior to this, Tillakaratne Dilshan (40) and Kumar Sangakkara (22) put Sri Lanka on course towards chase with 50-run stand after opener Upul Tharanga fell cheaply to Starc.

The pair occupied the crease for 11 overs before Sangakkara caused the crumble by getting run out off Clint McKay. Dilshan followed his footsteps soon, edging behind the stumps off paceman Ryan Harris. Barring Dinesh Chandimal (37) no one from middle-order could make impact.

Starc and Christian and Xavier Doherty all collected two wickets apiece.

Earlier, Sri Lanka bowlers picked up two wickets each to justify skipper Mahela Jayawardene’s decision to bowl first.

Excluding David Warner, who scored quick-fire 34 off 29 balls with the help of five boundaries and one six, the other top-order batsmen failed to deliver as Australia were reduced to 5-130.

Australia VS Sri Lanka: Clarke scored a patient half-century

But around the toppling wickets skipper Michael Clarke (57) survived Australia’s cause with a levelheaded half-century. In this process he also stitched up 56 runs with Daniel Christian (33) for sixth wicket.

The 88-ball knock of Clarke, which four boundaries, came to end in the 40th over, moments after the dismissal of Christian.

McKay (25) and Starc (14) made some late firework to lift the scoreboard.

Australia are now at top of ladder of triangular series points table with two victories and 9 points. India are sitting on the second position with one victory, having 4 points while Sri Lanka are at bottom with back-to-back defeats.

Australia VS Sri Lanka 3rd Match Scorecard