Sri Lanka hammer Australia in record 174-run rout

Australia were handed a humbling defeat – one for the record books – as Sri Lanka trounced them by a massive 174 runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday. It was Australia’s heaviest defeat in ODIs against Sri Lanka and their fifth-worst margin of loss in history. Chasing a target of 282, the Aussies never got going, bundled out for a meager 107 – their second-lowest total against Sri Lanka in ODIs. It was also their lowest total in Asia.

The visitors were off to a rocky start, and things only got worse as they collapsed in spectacular fashion, losing their last seven wickets for just 28 runs. It was a textbook demolition job, orchestrated first by Asitha Fernando, who set the tone with a fiery opening spell of three for 23 in four overs, before the spinners tightened the screws.

On a surface offering plenty of bite for the slow bowlers, the Sri Lankan spinners merely had to land the ball in the right areas and let the pitch do the talking. Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage triggered the collapse, bamboozling Josh Inglis with a skiddy arm ball that crashed into the stumps. In his next over, he delivered another peach, rattling the dangerous Glenn Maxwell’s timber to finish with four wickets.

From the other end, Wanindu Hasaranga joined the party, weaving his magic and claiming three wickets, including that of skipper Steve Smith, who was trapped plumb in front. There was no way back for the Aussies, as Sri Lanka ran through the defending World Champions like a hot knife through butter.

This emphatic victory sealed a 2-0 series win for Sri Lanka and propelled them to fifth in the ODI rankings. More importantly, it sent a strong message to the cricketing world: Sri Lanka’s absence from the upcoming Champions Trophy will be felt. The former World Champions missed out on qualification after finishing ninth in the 2023 World Cup, but this performance was a firm reminder of what they are capable of.

Sri Lanka’s batting had been under the microscope in recent weeks, but the top order silenced critics with a commanding display. Kusal Mendis was the star of the show, crafting a superb century – his fifth in ODIs and first against Australia. He found ample support from Nishan Madushka and Charith Asalanka, who chipped in with crucial half-centuries.

Asalanka, fresh from his match-winning hundred two days ago, was in irresistible form again. Unfazed by the opposition, he bludgeoned an unbeaten 78 off just 66 balls, peppering the boundary with six fours and three towering sixes.

The foundation was laid by a 98-run partnership between Mendis and Madushka for the second wicket, stabilizing the innings after an early loss. Mendis then built on the momentum, stitching a 94-run stand with Asalanka for the fourth wicket. Even after Mendis perished soon after reaching his ton, Asalanka ensured Sri Lanka finished with a flourish. He and Janith Liyanage put the finishing touches with an unbroken 66-run stand off just 35 balls, shifting into top gear as Sri Lanka plundered 97 runs in the last ten overs.

Australia were without their pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, and the absence of firepower was glaring. With the Champions Trophy set to kick off in Pakistan next week, they have plenty to ponder. Their bowling attack lacked bite, and their batting was in disarray – issues they must address swiftly if they hope to put up a fight in the tournament.