A late cameo from Mitchell Starc, who blasted 52 runs off 37 balls, helped Australia set Sri Lanka a target of 223 to win in the fourth One-Day International at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday (January 20).

Sri Lanka had bowled out Australia for low scores in the last two games to seize a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, and another rout looked possible when Phillip Hughes fell in the second over for just one run. Nuwan Kulasekara had him caught behind the wicket in a maiden over of supreme seam bowling.

Michael Clarke, the Australia captain, came in and scored the day’s first boundary, while at the other end David Warner was also smashing out to further ease the pressure. 12 runs came off the fifth over and Australia moved on to 29 for one.

However, when Lasith Malinga came on in the sixth over, Australia were in trouble at both ends, with Clarke trapped leg-before wicket for 20. David Hussey was then worked over by some hostile bowling, while Warner took one from Kulasekara on the box and fell to his knees, head down in agony.

Hussey didn’t last long as he stuck his bat out at Malinga’s outswinger and was caught in the slip cordon. Australia were three down for 53 in the 13th over, and George Bailey, out for a first ball duck in Brisbane, played and missed the first four fiery balls of another Malinga maiden over.

Bailey dug in and made 22, only to lob Rangana Herath straight to Thisara Perera at mid-on, before Warner, who had scored 60 off 73, fell to a bad decision from Marais Erasmus, the umpire, with television replays showing a thick inside-edge on to his pad off Herath. Moises Henriques, having scored three, also fell to a wrong lbw decision.

Mitchell Johnson didn’t last long either and was trapped plumb in front by Malinga. Matthew Wade tried to push up the rate but skied an Angelo Mathews delivery straight to Kulasekara at third man. He scored 31 but it took 53 balls and Australia were struggling at 166 for eight with nearly eight overs remaining.

Clint McKay walked back after being deceived by a slower Kulasekara delivery and Australia were in real danger of failing to last the 50 overs again. But it was then that Starc turned on the heat. Batting at nine, he rattled up an unbeaten 52 off just 37 balls. Xavier Doherty, at the other end, provided support and the two took the total to 222. - AFP