Sri Lanka rode on Kusal Mendis' century and Dunith Wellalage's four fer to register a massive 174-run win over Australia in the second ODI of their bilateral series. With this Sri Lanka swept the two-match ODI series 2-0. This win also marked Sri Lanka's biggest-ever ODI win over Australia in a bilateral series. Australia's hammering came just few days to the start of Champions Trophy 2025, which tells a lot about the preparation about the showpiece tournament.
Australia's disastrous ODI series loss to Sri Lanka
Australia's batting performance in the second ODI against Sri Lanka was nothing short of disastrous, marking their lowest-ever ODI total in Asia. Their batting horror casts a shadow over their Champions Trophy preparations, leaving the Steve Smith-led side with much to ponder with just five days to the tournament which is set to start from February 19. Prior to this match, Australia's lowest total in Asia was 139 against India in Sharjah back in 1985. The fact that this batting collapse occurred just weeks after their 2-0 Test series victory in Sri Lanka makes it even more perplexing.
While Australia were hampered by injuries and player availability issues, they still fielded a full-strength Sri Lankan team, hoping to assess their fringe players before the Champions Trophy. Despite the return of Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell to the starting XI after being rested for the first ODI, the Australian batting lineup was completely dismantled by the Sri Lankan spin duo of Dunith Wellalage and Wanindu Hasaranga, supported by the pace of Asitha Fernando.
In Australia's dismal batting performance against Sri Lanka, only Steve Smith (29) and Josh Inglis (22) managed to reach double figures; the rest of the batting lineup failed to surpass the 20-run mark. Travis Head attempted to start Australia's chase aggressively but was dismissed for 18 by Asitha Fernando, who caused significant disruption to the visitors' top order.
Sri Lanka's bowlers quickly put Australia under pressure, reducing them to 33 for 3. Matthew Short (2), Travis Head (18), and Jake Fraser-McGurk all struggled against Asitha's accurate bowling. A brief period of stability came with a 46-run partnership between Josh Inglis and Steve Smith for the fourth wicket. However, this was broken by Dunith Wellalage, who bowled a superb delivery to dismiss Inglis.
From that point on, Wellalage and Wanindu Hasaranga took control, dismantling the Australian middle order. The visitors collapsed, losing their final seven wickets for a mere 28 runs. Wellalage was the standout bowler, taking four wickets and topping the bowling charts.
Australia's batting woes continued as they failed to even last 25 overs in their chase against Sri Lanka. The lower middle order offered little resistance, with Aaron Hardie (0), Glenn Maxwell (1), and Sean Abbott (2) all contributing minimal scores. This collapse followed a similar pattern from the first ODI, where Australia were bundled out for just 165 after Sri Lanka, led by Charith Asalanka's century, posted a total of 214.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis delivered a masterful batting performance on a challenging Colombo pitch, scoring 101 off 115 balls. Mendis anchored the innings, effectively countering the spin threat of Adam Zampa during the crucial middle overs. Australia's decision to rest left-arm fast bowler Spencer Johnson, who had made an early impact in the first ODI, and instead play Ben Dwarshius, seemed to backfire. The Australian bowling attack lacked penetration with the new ball, a factor that ultimately proved costly.
Sri Lanka's strong batting performance in the second ODI was bolstered by valuable contributions from several players. Nishan Madushanka scored a crucial 51, while captain Charith Asalanka, fresh off his match-winning century in the first ODI, provided late-innings momentum with a 78 off just 66 balls. Janith Liyange also contributed significantly, smashing a quickfire 32 from only 21 deliveries, further adding to Australia's woes.