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PREVIEW: Sri Lanka in pound seat heading into 4th Australia ODI

If there had been an air of luck about Sri Lanka’s series-levelling win last week, their triumph on Sunday was emphatic and established that they are now favourites to shade the series.

Sri Lanka Fans - ODI
Image Copyright - Steve Haag Sports

If there had been an air of luck about Sri Lanka's series-leveling win last week, their triumph on Sunday was emphatic and established that they are now favourites to shade the series.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone
Sri Lanka vs Australia | 21 June 2022 | The Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | 11:00

To Win Match
Sri Lanka 7/4 | Tie 25/1 | Australia 46/100Sri Lanka

The tricky Premadasa stadium surface played into Sri Lanka’s hands with Australia clearly setting them a target shy of what a good score at the ground would have been given the track.

Pathum Nissanka set a new record for a Sri Lankan batter against Australia with his 137. It was an innings that shows how far this team has come.

Ever-present run-hog Kusal Mendis also turned up as he always seems to do when Sri Lanka get the business done.

Australia might have been caught off guard by the wiles of Jeffery Vandersay, a player kept out of this team by the sheer brilliance of Wanindu Hasaranga.

Australia

Australia’s top four lacked the kind of intent we usually associate with white-ball cricket in the powerplay which meant that the big finish achieved by Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell only gave them a chance to defend.

The bowlers didn’t do badly at all but simply lacked the ability to put the brakes on the Sri Lankan effort last time out.

Australia might have felt that Sri Lanka just edged them in the match before but they were well beaten on Sunday which has left them reeling and needing to win both remaining matches to take home the trophy.

Jhye Richardson had something of a redemption after coming in for some punishment on the tour so far as he was the pick of the bowlers in their last effort.

Verdict: Sri Lanka 7/4

Sri Lanka have the momentum now and should be able to close out the series in Colombo.

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