Sri Lanka v Australia, 2016
Wisden's review of the second ODI, Sri Lanka v Australia, 2016
Adam Collins
15-Apr-2017
At Colombo (RPS), August 24, 2016 (day/night). Sri Lanka won by 82 runs. Toss: Sri Lanka.
Just as the Australians appeared to have adjusted to spin, their troubles resurfaced in a series levelling thrashing. They had begun well enough, as Starc and Lyon, sharing the new ball, sent back the openers in a hurry. After Mendis and Chandimal added 125, Zampa trapped both with topspinners, and grabbed a third when de Silva picked out cover to make it 158 for five. But Mathews and Kusal Perera changed the trajectory of the match with a pair of brisk half-centuries in a stand of 103. Sri Lanka were set for 300, until Faulkner took a hat-trick, and the innings ended with seven balls unused. Australia's mission was tricky; when Warner nicked behind in the second over, and Finch chopped on in the fourth, it appeared impossible. Aponso snared Smith with his second delivery, and his four for 18 seized control. Wade resisted with 76, but the next best was Head's 31. After the match, Smith returned home for a scheduled break, with Warner assuming the captaincy for the rest of the tour.
Man of the Match: A. D. Mathews.
Just as the Australians appeared to have adjusted to spin, their troubles resurfaced in a series levelling thrashing. They had begun well enough, as Starc and Lyon, sharing the new ball, sent back the openers in a hurry. After Mendis and Chandimal added 125, Zampa trapped both with topspinners, and grabbed a third when de Silva picked out cover to make it 158 for five. But Mathews and Kusal Perera changed the trajectory of the match with a pair of brisk half-centuries in a stand of 103. Sri Lanka were set for 300, until Faulkner took a hat-trick, and the innings ended with seven balls unused. Australia's mission was tricky; when Warner nicked behind in the second over, and Finch chopped on in the fourth, it appeared impossible. Aponso snared Smith with his second delivery, and his four for 18 seized control. Wade resisted with 76, but the next best was Head's 31. After the match, Smith returned home for a scheduled break, with Warner assuming the captaincy for the rest of the tour.
Man of the Match: A. D. Mathews.