Mathews’ Heroics In Vain, As Australia Gain Narrow Win

 

• Sri Lanka vs Australia – Perth

Australia squeezed past Sri Lanka with a narrow five-run win despite Angelo Mathews’ heroics in their 50-over encounter in the CB series in Perth on Friday. After being bowled out for a disappointing 231, Australia fought back through their bowlers and looked assured of victory when they reduced Sri Lanka to 180 for nine.

But all-rounder Angelo Mathews (64) had other ideas and very nearly reprised a remarkable feat he achieved when Sri Lanka last toured Australia. In that game Mathews (77 not out) and Lasith Malinga (56) lifted their side from a hopeless 107 for 8 to 239 for 9 to pull off a sensational win. In the company of last man Dhammika Prasad (15 not out) Mathews took the score to 214 in the 49th over. Sri Lanka still needed 18 from the last over bowled by Mitchell Starc but Mathews struck a four and a six off the first two balls to leave them with eight to get off four balls.
The third ball was turned to deep square leg and Mathews set off for what should have been two but alert fielding restricted him to just a single and importantly brought Prasad on strike. Prasad scrambled a single off the next ball but that left Sri Lanka with six needed off the last two deliveries. In the penultimate ball Mathews went for broke and attempted to swing the bowler over mid wicket but he only succeeded in lofting the ball to deep mid on where Dan Christian made no mistake with the catch. Sri Lanka had looked to be cruising when they reached 61 for one in their pursuit of a modest Australia score that relied on skipper Michael Clarke’s 57.
After the early loss of Upul Tharanga (5) who edged Starc to Clarke at slip, Kumar Sangakkara and Tillekeratne Dilshan steadied the innings with a 50-run stand in 66 balls which appeared to give the Sri Lankans the edge. A key turning point in the game then took place when Sangakkara (22) was run out in a mix-up with Dilshan which left the former fuming all the way to the pavilion.
Sangakkara tucked the ball down to the leg side and immediately set off for a sharp single but both he and Dilshan stopped twice and when sent back Sangakkara slip and fell and was stranded mid wicket when Starc’s direct hit broke the wickets.Dilshan followed soon after when he was caught behind off Ryan Harris for 40, but the visitors were still in control at 110 for 3 after 25 overs.
However, things went rapidly downhill from there and the visitors lost six wickets for just 70 runs to leave them seemingly down and out at 180 for 9 in the 45th over. Skipper Mahela Jayawardene attempted his trade mark late cut but only succeeded in guiding Christian to Matthew Wade – one of the keeper’s five dismissals. Lahiru Thirimanne (3) was then comprehensively bowled through the gate by spinner Xavier Doherty.
Perhaps encouraged by the turn his spinner was getting, skipper Clarke brought himself on and struck gold with his very first delivery – the prized wicket of Dinesh Chandimal – who was adjudged leg before.
Chandimal had made a steady 37 off 50 balls with four boundaries and was just looking good when he was a trifle unlucky to be adjudged LBW. Sri Lanka was now on a perilous 129 for 6 and desperately needed someone to keep Mathews company. Nuwan Kulasekera (8) and Sachitra Senanayake (9) did not quite provide the support needed and when Malinga (1) was dismissed to make it 180 for 9 it seemed all over bar the shouting.Mathews resurrected their hopes alongside Prasad adding 46 for the last wicket but their gallant effort fell just short.
Earlier, Australia put in to bat by the visitors, struggled to find their rhythm against some disciplined bowling and outstanding fielding. David Warner blazed away at the start and Australia had reached 22 in three overs when Wade – who had scored just one – edged Kulasekera to wicketkeeper Sangakkara. Ricky Ponting (1) followed soon after trapped lbw by Lasith Malinga to leave Australia on a shaky 26 for 2. Mathews coming on as first change bowler then accounted for danger-man Warner bowling him off an inside edge. Warner made 34 with four fours and a six but his dismissal made the score 50 for 3.
When Mike Hussey was brilliantly caught and bowled by Kulasekara for 23 Australia were in trouble at 81 for 4 in 18 overs. David Hussey and Clarke added 49 for the fifth wicket before Hussey was caught by Thirimanne off Malinga for 27. Christian made 33 and added another 56 with Clarke before he charged at off spinner Senanayake was beaten in the flight and smartly stumped by Sangakkara. Mathews then weighed in with the prized wicket of Clarke (57), caught at midwicket by Jayawardene with the score on 190. That soon became 192 for 8 and it appeared that the home side may not reach 200 but McKay (25) and Starc (14) took them passed 200 and ultimately to 231 which proved to be a winning total. Australia now lead the series with two wins from two games whilst India are in second place with one win from two. Sri Lanka have lost both their opening games against India and Australia. Australia play India today and Sri Lanka’s next game is on Tuesday 14th against India.