SL vs AUS: David Warner becomes second batter to get stumped out on 99 in ODIs

Australian opener David Warner put up a fantastic show against Sri Lanka in the fourth ODI of the series, but the game did not go in his favor. Warner was stumped by Niroshan Dickwella when he needed just one run to get to a much-awaited century. Being dismissed at 99(112), Warner became one of the few players to have got out on 99, and also became just the second player to get stumped out on 99 in ODIs, after India’s VVS Laxman.

Warner struggled to hit a maximum, but his innings included 12 magnificent boundaries. When he touched 99, the southpaw appeared to be on his way to ending his international career’s biggest century slump, but he couldn’t, and he currently stands at 48 innings, without a century, across all formats. Subsequently, the match shifted significantly in Sri Lanka‘s favor, giving them their first bilateral ODI series victory against Australia at home since 1992.

Meanwhile, Warner led the team’s chase like a warrior, as he was able to get the important runs that his teammates, unfortunately, couldn’t. After Warner, the second-highest run-scorer from the team was Pat Cummins, who notched up 35 runs off 43 deliveries. While it looked like an easy chase for the visitors, the hosts gave them a very difficult time on the field.

Charith Asalanka’s century saved the day for Sri Lanka

Speaking of how the game panned out, at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first. The bowlers started off very well and reduced the hosts to 34/3 in the 10th over. What saved Lanka from the trouble was the fourth-wicket stand of 101 runs between Dhananjaya de Silva and Charith Asalanka as the duo saved the day for their team.

While De Silva was dismissed after crossing his half-century score, Asalanka managed to stay calm and composed on the field and bag a terrific century before walking off at 110(106). Australia dished out the hosts for 258 runs in the 49th over. Sri Lanka gave a befitting reply in return, as they dismissed opener, Aaron Finch, for a duck.

Warner was brilliant with the bat but did not receive much support from the other end. His partnership with Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head helped the visitors to cut the chase short, but Dasun Shanaka brilliantly restricted the batters in the final over as Sri Lanka won the game by a close margin of just four runs, restricting Australia to 254 in 50 overs.