Twitter Reactions: Sri Lanka thrash Australia with 174-run win in second ODI

SL vs AUS 2nd ODI (Source: Getty Images)

Sri Lanka defeated Australia by 174 runs in the second ODI of the two-match series at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, February 14. The hosts won the series 2-0.

Charith Asalanka won the toss and opted to bat first once again. The home side didn’t get off to a great start as they lost Pathum Nissanka in the sixth over. However, Nishan Madushka and Kusal Mendis joined forces and stitched a solid 98-run stand off 115 balls. The former was dismissed after scoring a well-compiled half-century.

Kamindu Mendis was dismissed cheaply and that brought Asalanka to the crease. Kusal Mendis went on to register his fifth ODI century. He eventually departed after slamming 101 off 115 balls, hitting 11 fours. Asalanka and Janith Liyanage added 66 runs off the last 35 balls to help Sri Lanka finish on a strong total of 281/4 in 50 overs.

Asalanka remained unbeaten on 78 off 66 balls, belting six fours and three sixes. Meanwhile, Janith Liyanage scored 32 off 21 balls with the help of three fours and two sixes.

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Chasing a challenging total, Australia would have hoped for a positive start. However, they lost three wickets inside the first seven overs as Sri Lanka were on a roll. The tourists fought back with a 46-run partnership between Steve Smith and Josh Inglis. However, once that partnership was broken by Dunith Wellalage, the rest of the batters struggled against the world-class Sri Lankan spinners.

Smith top-scored with a 34-ball 29 but the lower-order and tailenders departed in quick time. Australia were bowled out for 107 in 24.2 overs. Wellalage was the pick of the bowlers for Sri Lanka as he finished with figures of 4/35 in 7.2 overs. Meanwhile, Asitha Fernando and Wanindu Hasaranga bagged three wickets apiece.

Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to Sri Lanka’s thumping win against Australia: