Despite an early bowling wicket-blitz by Aaron Hardie and Spencer Johnson that reduced Sri Lanka to 31\/4, Asalanka\u2019s counter-attacking century ensured the hosts posted a competitive total of 214 after they won the toss and elected to bat first. His determined knock, laced with well-timed boundaries, was the bedrock of Sri Lanka\u2019s innings, as he stitched together a crucial 79-run stand with Eshan Malinga, who contributed just a single run.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia, too, found themselves reeling 31\/4 in a mirror collapse, with the top three managing a combined five runs. Matt Short fell for a second-ball duck, Jake Fraser-McGurk followed soon after for two, while Cooper Connolly\u2019s attempted aggression against Maheesh Theekshana saw him trapped lbw for three.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Skipper Steve Smith, who had earlier pulled off a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Dunith Wellalage, departed for 12, bowled by Wellalage himself, leaving Australia in deep trouble. A brief resistance from Alex Carey (41 off 38) and Marnus Labuschagne (15 off 27) momentarily steadied the innings, but their dismissals in quick succession all but sealed Australia\u2019s fate.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sean Abbott\u2019s 20 off 23 and Hardie\u2019s 32 off 37 provided some late fight, but with wickets tumbling at regular intervals, Australia never found the stability needed to chase down the target.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Earlier, Australia made a dream start with the ball after losing the toss, as Hardie and Johnson tore through Sri Lanka\u2019s top order.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The absence of their \"big three\" frontline quicks was hardly felt, as the duo left the hosts struggling at 31\/4. Smith\u2019s sharp reflexes in the slips and his stunning diving catch to dismiss Wellalage further tilted the balance in Australia\u2019s favour.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, Asalanka\u2019s brilliance single-handedly rescued Sri Lanka. Reaching his fourth ODI century off 112 balls in the 43rd over, he kept the innings alive as wickets tumbled around him. His knock finally ended when he skied one to Abbott, bringing to an end Sri Lanka\u2019s innings at 214.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brief scores:<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, Asalanka\u2019s brilliance single-handedly rescued Sri Lanka. Reaching his fourth ODI century off 112 balls in the 43rd over, he kept the innings alive as wickets tumbled around him. His knock finally ended when he skied one to Abbott, bringing to an end Sri Lanka\u2019s innings at 214.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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