Kusal Mendis ton sets Australia challenging target

A second Sri Lankan century in as many matches has put Australia under pressure to tie the one-day series after losing the opening match.

Kusal Mendis made 101 from 115 balls as Sri Lanka scored 4-281 from their 50 overs in the second and final ODI against Sri Lanka at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium on Friday.

Mendis follows captain Charith Asalanka’s 127 off 126 balls, with 14 fours and five sixes, setting up a 49-run victory on Wednesday.

Asalanka had another imposing innings in game two, scoring an unbeaten 78 from 66 balls as Sri Lanka finished strongly.

Australia made five changes from the first they lost at the same ground, with Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell returning to strengthen a severely weakened side. Head was rested while Maxwell had been ill.

Marnus Labuschagne and Cooper Connelly were left out along with top-scorer for Australia in the first match, Alex Carey, who has made way for fellow wicketkeeper Josh Inglis. He missed the first match recovering from back spasms suffered during the second Test.

Paceman Ben Dwarshuis and legspinner Tanveer Sangha replaced Spencer Johnson and Nathan Ellis.

Sri Lanka won the toss and batted on a dry and unresponsive pitch.

After the early loss of Pathum Nissanka (six), Nishan Madushka (51 in 70 balls) combined with Kusal Mendis to build a solid foundation through a 98-run partnership.

Australia used seven bowlers including four spinners, Adam Zampa, Maxwell, Sangha and Matt Short, but Zampa was the only one to claim a wicket.

Dwarshuis, competing with fellow left-armer Spencer Johnson for the Champion’s Trophy place left vacant by Mitchell Starc, bounced out Madushka thanks to a juggling catch on the boundary by Zampa.

Kamindu Mendis managed just four in eight balls before chopping a slower ball from Abbott into his stumps.

Source: Australian Associated Press
--Agencies