Experimenting in their final match ahead of the Champions Trophy, a new-look Australia bowling attack toiled on a benign surface in Colombo as Kusal Mendis and skipper Charith Asalanka powered Sri Lanka to 281 for 4 in the second ODI. Mendis made 101 off 115 balls and had strong partnerships with Asalanka and Nishan Madushka as Sri Lanka remained on track for a series win.

There was a distinct lack of pace and bounce compared to the first ODI at the same venue. But there was occasional sharp turn on the dry surface which Sri Lanka’s spinners will try to exploit in Australia’s innings.

Australia’s seam bowling stocks have been decimated with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis missing this series and the Champions Trophy for various reasons. With Spencer Johnson and Nathan Ellis rested, left-arm quick Ben Dwarshuis was given an opportunity and bowled tidily with the new ball. Sean Abbott rebounded from a sloppy performance in the first ODI to finish with 1 or 41 off ten overs. Legspinner Tanveer Sangha played his first ODI in 16 months but returned the figures of 0 for 34 from 5 overs.

Australia have a tough chase ahead, but their batting order has been bolstered by the inclusions of Travis Head, Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell with Cooper Connolly, Alex Carey and Marnus Labuschagne making way.

Asalanka once again elected to bat and hoped for an improved batting performance after their top-order struggles in the opener. Dwarshuis took the new ball in Johnson’s absence and opener Pathum Nissanka started well by cracking him through the covers before becoming bogged down against accurate new-ball bowling.

Allrounder Aaron Hardie again shared the new ball having performed strongly in game one with sharp seam movement from a back of a length. Hardie quickly realised this surface was flatter and reverted to attacking the stumps. He was rewarded when a frustrated Nissanka swung across the line and was bowled off the inside edge. Having only returned to bowling at the backend of the BBL, Hardie hit the deck hard and looked physically strong in a positive for Australia ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Mendis, who scored twin fifties in the second Test, sparkled from the get-go and played the new ball with ease as the partnership blossomed. Replacing Avishka Fernando at the top of the order, Madushka was decisive in his movements and strong off the back foot as stand-in captain Steven Smith turned to spin.

In a fairly uncommon sight these days, legspin was utilised at both ends with Sangha and Adam Zampa bowling in tandem. Playing his third ODI and first since just before the 2023 World Cup, Sangha was coming off a strong backend to the BBL where he helped Thunder reach the final. But he failed to threaten with Madushka attacking and hitting him aerially over cover, while Zampa improved from his sub-par performance in the first ODI but a breakthrough was not forthcoming.

Mendis whacked Zampa for consecutive boundaries to reach his half-century off as many balls and Madushka soon reached his milestone as they closed in on a century partnership. But Madushka was unable to kick on and hit a well-directed bouncer from Dwarshuis straight down the throat of Zampa at fine leg.

Just as he has through the tour, Smith trusted his gut instincts and the reintroduction of Abbott worked a treat when out-of-form Kamindu Mendis chopped onto his stumps on 4.

After his extraordinary ton in the first game, Asalanka started nervously when he mishit Zampa only for Maxwell to misjudge the high ball and he was unable to take a trademark miraculous catch this time around.

Asalanka found his groove and blasted Zampa down the ground for six in a belligerent stroke reminiscent of his game-one heroics. After bowling three overs in his initial spell, Sangha returned in the 41st over and immediately found sharp turn and bounce.

But Mendis remained undaunted and registered his fifth ODI century before holing out to Zampa in the 45th over. But Asalanka, who finished unbeaten on 78 from 66 balls, continued on his merry way along with Janith Liyanage to lift Sri Lanka to a formidable total.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka 281 for 4 in 50 overs  (Kusal Mendis 101, Charith Asalanka 78*, Nishan Madushka 51, Sean Abbott 1-41) vs Australia

(Cricinfo)