Sri Lanka snatched the series in the previous encounter coming through in a tense finish to take an unbeatable 3-1 lead with this one match to play.
Australia caved under pressure again in the ODI format, continuing a long-standing problem for the team in the format.
Sri Lanka vs Australia | 24 June 2022 | Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 11:00
To Win Match
Sri Lanka 29/20 | Tie 25/1 | Australia 57/100
Sri Lanka
Charith Asalanka came to the party with a vital century in a contest played on an increasingly tricky Premadasa Stadium pitch.
Sri Lanka also loaded their lineup with spinners in the last outing which proved too much for Australia to handle as the hosts with six slow-bowling options available to skipper Dasun Shanaka.
Dunith Wellalage is another young player coming to the fore in this Sri Lanka team and could be a huge player for the white-ball team with his left-arm wrist spin augmented by his handiness with the willow.
Sri Lanka were able to also field a team that had a long batting lineup which proved vital in a match where 20 wickets fell.
Australia
Australia believe that despite their defeat in the ODI series these experiences of the Premadasa Stadium and Pallekelle will stand them in good stead in the upcoming Test matches.
More than a few Australians will be in action yet again when that series gets underway.
Australia have been given a trial by spin in this series with Sri Lanka picking more tweakers as it progressed, seeing that it remains a great weakness for the tourists.
Matthew Kuhnemann was the only specialist spinner picked by Australia though who backed their pace barrage despite describing the pitch as a dustbowl.
Verdict: Sri Lanka 29/20
Sri Lanka have figured out how to beat Australia in this format and at this ground.
