Twitter Reactions: Chamika Karunaratne's heroics in vain as Australia win fifth and final ODI
Chamika Karunaratne was adjudged the Player of the Match for his excellent knock with the bat.
All-rounder Chamika Karunaratne’s heroics with the bat could not win the match for his side as the visitors Australia managed to win the fifth and final ODI match played at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on June 24 (Friday). The Men in Yellow did stutter in their chase but some decent contributions from the lower batting order ensured that they crossed the winning line.
As far as the match is concerned, Sri Lanka won the toss and opt to bat first. The home side got off to a horrible start as they lost three wickets inside the first ten overs. Openers Pathum Nissanka (2), Danushka Gunathilaka (8), and Dinesh Chandimal (6) could not manage to reach the double-figure mark.
Kusal Mendis (26) and Charith Asalanka (14) tried to revive the Sri Lanka innings. The latter got unlucky as he was run out and Mendis got hit wicket on the bowling of Glenn Maxwell. Skipper Dasun Shanaka and Dunith Wellalage also failed to score runs as Sri Lanka were reduced to 85/8 inside the first 25 overs.
Some excellent batting from Karunaratne (75) and decent support provided by tailender Pramod Madushan (15) ensured that Sri Lanka at least cross the 150-run mark before being bundled out for 160 in 43.1. For Australia, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Matthew Kuhnemann scalped two wickets each.
Australia stutter but get home
The visitors Australia almost made a mess of their chase as they lost three crucial wickets with just 19 runs on the board. Skipper Aaron Finch bagged a duck and his opening partner David Warner (10) got out early as well. Josh Inglis also struggled on the wicket and got out after making just five runs.
After the wicket of Mitchell Marsh (24), the Aussies were in all sorts of trouble. But, decent contributions from Marnus Labuschagne (31), Alex Carey (45*), Maxwell (16), and Cameron Green (25*) ensured that the visitors won the match by four wickets in 39.3 overs.
For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana (2), Wellalage (3), and Madhushan (1) were the wicket-takers. Karunaratne was adjudged the Player of the Match for his excellent knock and the Player of the Series prize was awarded to Kusal Mendis for making 249 runs in five matches.
Meanwhile, here are some Twitter reactions:
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