After winning the toss, Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka decided to bat first. They made just one change from the third ODI against New Zealand earlier this year, bringing in Dunith Wellalage in place of Chamindu Wickramasinghe, who was omitted from the squad after suffering an injury during the ongoing Major Clubs 3-Day Tournament.
The Australian side featured several new faces, with regulars Travis Head, Josh Inglis, and Glenn Maxwell not included. They were also without their premier pacer Mitchell Starc, who withdrew due to personal reasons, ruling him out not only for this series but also from their Champions Trophy squad.
Sri Lanka suffered early setbacks, losing both openers within the first two overs, with only six runs on the board. Kusal Mendis tried to counterattack, but it was only a matter of time before the hosts were reduced to 55/5, courtesy of some excellent seam bowling from the Australians.
Charith Asalanka and Dunith Wellalage then joined forces in the middle, with the two left-handers attempting to rebuild the innings. They put on a 67-run partnership before Matthew Short broke the stand, thanks to a brilliant one-handed grab by Australian captain Steve Smith. Wellalage contributed a valuable 30, but Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana couldn’t hold on for long, as Sri Lanka slipped further to 135/8.
Meanwhile, skipper Asalanka reached his fifty and kept the scoreboard ticking. He was later joined by Eshan Malinga, who provided solid support at one end while Asalanka continued to pile on the runs. Asalanka went on to register his fourth ODI century—and his second against Australia—while Malinga took 21 balls to get off the mark.
The duo added a record ninth-wicket partnership of 79 runs—the highest for Sri Lanka in home ODIs. Asalanka played a career-best knock of 127 off 126 balls, smashing 14 fours and five sixes.
Eventually, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 214 with four overs to spare. On the bowling front, Sean Abbott picked up 3/61, while Aaron Hardie, Nathan Ellis, and Spencer Johnson claimed two wickets apiece.
Australia’s Innings:
Defending a modest target, Asitha Fernando provided the perfect start for the hosts, dismissing both openers within 2.4 overs. Cooper Connolly was trapped LBW by Maheesh Theekshana before Dunith Wellalage claimed the prized wicket of Steve Smith, as Australia lost four wickets for just 31 runs inside the first powerplay.
Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey attempted to steady the innings for the visitors, putting together a half-century stand. However, the partnership ended when Labuschagne was adjudged LBW off Theekshana’s bowling. Carey followed soon after, holing out to long-off for 31, with Charith Asalanka getting into the action, leaving Australia reeling at 85/6.
Aaron Hardie and Sean Abbott provided some resistance, adding 41 runs before Abbott became Theekshana’s third victim. Nathan Ellis was then castled by Wellalage. Hardie hung around for a while, but Wanindu Hasaranga eventually dismissed him for 32 as Australia were bundled out for 165.
Maheesh Theekshana starred with the ball, claiming his seventh four-wicket haul in ODIs, while Wellalage and Fernando picked up two wickets each.