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That'll do for tonight and my word, who'd have thunk we'd witness something like that! A Super Sunday sure seems on the cards at this rate as the two teams lock horns at the R Premadasa Stadium in a few days' time - do join us for our coverage of the same while keeping yourselves updated with all the other cricketing news and action from around the globe here on Sportskeeda. Thank you so much for tuning into our coverage of this thriller which we sure enjoyed bringing to you alright! On behalf of my good friend and co-commentator Pradeep Somashekar, this is Sooryanarayanan Sesha once again reminding you to mask up and get vaccinated in case you haven't already. Good night and take care!
Phew! This is a wonderful sport and jeez, who says ODI cricket is a dying phenomenon? It's here to stay. Very much! More so, if you have teams fighting until the very end like Sri Lanka did today. The series has been set up beautifully now with three more games to go as the caravan moves to Colombo. Pallekele has been wonderful for the hosts and they'll be itching to make it count in the national capital as well. They need more from their batters but this ought to add a spring in their step.
Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lankan Captain): Australia bowled really well upfront. We were short by a few runs but at the end of the day when we went onto the field, I had a very good feeling and felt that the bowlers will defend the total. When we came to the game we knew it was going to turn. I don't think we took the right option (with the bat) in this game and we need to come up better in the next game. Chamika Karunaratne is a warrior - I knew if I give him the ball he will give me wickets. Dunith is ready to take his chances. His attitude and concentration on the field is fantastic. I must thank the Kandy crowd - it was a packed house.
Aaron Finch (Australian Captain): (On not converting starts with the bat) I think that was the difference. The fielding also - we were very poor in the field. We got a lot of starts but couldn't convert them into a big knock with the bat. A little bit similar to the last game in the sense when we start to build a partnership we lost a wicket and lost momentum. (On their fielding) Yeah it was very poor. Not the easiest outfield but we could have attacked the ball a bit more. Chasing in these conditions where the wickets are slow and spinning is something we need to improve upon. Looking ahead over the next 18 months that's something we need to improve. You're always concerned about injuries but that's something you can't help once it happens. You can't do much about it. Thanks to all the fans in Kandy - the support you've shown to both teams has been fantastic.
Btw this was the lowest total defended at this venue.
Chamika Karunaratne has been adjudged Player of the match for his splendid all round performance that turned out to be pivotal for this Sri Lanka's win!
Chamika Karunaratne (Sri Lanka): I've been waiting for this moment from a long time, I was asking myself I could do well and achieve at this stage and it worked out well today. Everything was planned well, the coaches, the team management, all have been helpful. I liked to think out of the box, I think as a batter when I'm bowling and I like to bluff sometimes and it worked out well today. Celebration is for the universe, it gives me a lot of energy, every time I take a wicket and I thank the universe. Thanks the crowd for coming out in such large number to support!
Sri Lanka 220/9 (47.4) beat Australia 189 (37.1) by 26 runs (DLS) and level the series 1-1. Kusal Mendis 36 (41) | Dasun Shanaka 34 (36) | Pat Cummins 4-35 (8.4) David Warner 37 (51) | Chamika Karunaratne 3/47 (7) | Dushmantha Chameera 2-19 (6.1)
Rain couldn't. A poor batting display couldn't. And an Australian team surging towards the target sure couldn't. Simply nothing could or can hamper the undying spirit of the Lankan lions. Oh they know how to make a fist of things and they sure know how to make the opponent strive hard alright. And for all their efforts, for all that their country has been through in recent times, this is yet another victory that they've etched right into the hearts of their fans!
It sure didn't seem that way when Australia got off to a steady start in pursuit of 216 in 43 overs, which was the revised DLS target. David Warner tore into Maheesh Theekshana and even though Aaron Finch was trapped in front, Warner and Steve Smith's presence was enough to assure the visitors that all was good.
But as we've seen so often this tour, it only takes one moment for it to come apart. Warner played all around a back of a length delivery that was far too close to cut and even as Smith kept the scoreboard ticking with some sublime strokes, Travis Head looked like a fish out of water against spin with the ball spinning at will.
There were a couple of surprising decisions made on the field but Dasun Shanaka's gambles worked like a charm. He rolled the dice to the fullest with Chamika Karunaratne and boy, didn't he step up or what! Wickets fell at regular intervals, but with Glenn Maxwell taking the attack to spin, Australia remained in front and it seemed as though the Big Show would save the day again.
But this Sri Lankan team as a whole is nothing short of a superhero unit alright. And the moment Maxwell was bounced out, harakiri ensured as the Aussies shot themselves in the foot with a couple of inexplicable shots and a needless run out that saw Alex Carey on his way back. And just like that - from 170/5, Australia lost their last 5 wickets for a meagre 19 runs to gift-wrap the contest in Sri Lanka's favor. Elation of the highest order for the hosts but for the Aussies, this will be one bitter pill to swallow.
Hold your breath! In fact, bellow your throats out if you're a Sri Lankan fan! This is a victory for the ages that your heroes have scripted! Chris Silverwood, Dushmantha Chameera and every single supporter in Pallekele and beyond are ecstatic! Sri Lanka beat Australia by 26 runs (DLS) and level the series 1-1.
37.1 Dushmantha Chameera to Matthew Kuhnemann, OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! SRI LANKA WIN and they make it 1-1! What a rip snorter of a delivery to take out Kuhnemann. Back of a length from around the wicket, tailed into Kuhnemann who gets cut in half as he gets beaten, that clips the top of middle and off. Sri Lanka are elated and Australia are shell shocked as they have gifted this game to the hosts! Matthew Kuhnemann b Dushmantha Chameera 1 (2b 0x4 0x6)
Around the wicket comes Chameera.
Oh he's defying all odds and some is Chamika Karunaratne. What spirit, what character and what nerves of steel to bowl the tough overs and pull it off for his side. He's come in with a clear plan too to mix it up and pound it into the deck as and when he can. Look at the crowd go bonkers! Australia need 27 off 6 overs with 1 wicket in hand!
37
overs
189/9score
1w
1
2
W
0
4
0
runs
Matthew Kuhnemann
1(1)
Josh Hazlewood*
4(3)
Chamika Karunaratne
3/47
36.6 Chamika Karunaratne to Josh Hazlewood, back of a length from around the wicket, Hazlewood gets forward and has a loose waft it and gets beaten.
Around the wicket now.
36.5 Chamika Karunaratne to Josh Hazlewood, FOUR! Well played that Hazlewood. Short into the left-hander, sways away as he opens the blade and deflects wide of the keeper, runs away down to third-man for a boundary.
36.4 Chamika Karunaratne to Josh Hazlewood, OH! Short on the off-stump, Hazlewood gives himself some room and fends it into the off-side.
Josh Hazlewood, LHB, is the last man out in the middle. He will take strike.
NINE DOWN NOW! What are Australia doing? They've slipped on a banana skin and just can't seem to arrest their slide! Why two pacers we asked? Well, what do we know about this sport, huh?!
36.3 Chamika Karunaratne to Mitchell Swepson, OUT! DRAGS IT BACK ON! Another one bites the dust, the crowd goes berserk. Length delivery on the outside off, Swepson throws his bat at it and gets the inside edge on to the stumps and Australia are falling like a house of cards at the moment! Mitchell Swepson b Chamika Karunaratne 2 (2b 0x4 0x6)
36.2 Chamika Karunaratne to Mitchell Swepson, back of a length, tailed into Swepson on the leg-stump, tucks it to deep square-leg, they decide to come back for a brace, a better throw would've had Kuhnemann in trouble.