Published: Aug 29, 2016, 03:24 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 29, 2016, 03:24 PM (IST)
Australia attain a 2-1 lead in the ongoing One-Day International (ODI) series as they win the third ODI against Sri Lanka. Played at Dambulla, the match was a close fight between the teams who had earlier won one match each in the series. Sri Lanka, who had won the Test series 3-0 to win a historic Test series, still have a chance to get back at the leading position with two ODIs still in hand. However, Dinesh Chandimal scored a commendable 102, though for a losing cause. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Australia vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI at Dambulla
Sri Lanka, who elected to bat first, suffered from regular fall of wickets against a persistent Australian attack led by leg-spinner Zampa. The hosts lost two early wickets before Dilshan and Chandimal put together a 73-run partnership for the third wicket to steady the innings. The 39-year-old Dilshan, who played his last ODI of his glittering career, scored a 65-ball 42 with the help of five boundaries before falling to Zampa. Dilshan, who recorded 10,290 runs in 330 ODIs with 22 hundreds and 47 half-centuries, acknowledged the cheers of a raucous home crowd as he walked back to the pavilion. Zampa, who returned with impressive figures of 3-38, got another wicket in his next over as he trapped Mathews lbw for two. FULL CRICKET UPDATES: Australia vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI at Dambulla
Chandimal, who has recorded five half-centuries and a ton in the last seven ODI innings, registered his fourth ODI century in his 117th match to keep the hosts in the hunt after they were reduced to 178 for eight. Chandimal found the perfect partner in Perera, who made 17 off 21 balls, as the duo put together a crucial 39-run ninth wicket partnership to give the Sri Lankan total some respect. Medium-pacers Starc, Faulkner and John Hastings took two each to back up Zampa’s efforts. The fourth ODI of the five-match series is scheduled for August 31 at the same venue, reported AFP.
