Australia rode on hurricane Finch’s 19-ball 55 and an unbeaten 90 in 85 balls from Bailey to reach 217 for 4 in 31 overs, chasing down the 213-run target and taking an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.
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The key for Sri Lanka was de Silva, who looked a good chance of posting a century until he too fell to Hastings.
Recently retired Tillakaratne Dilshan’s replacement at the top of the order, Avishka Fernado, making his global debut, did not last long – going lbw to Mitchell Starc for nought in the first over.
Boland (1-36), who replaced Josh Hazlewood in the Australian starting XI, then dismissed Dinesh Chandimal – caught behind for five – before hitting Mathews on the back of his helmet with a bouncer.
De Silva and Mathews then started a rebuilding act, mixing caution and aggression against a persistent Australian attack.
The umpires called an early drinks break but Mathews then carried on with his innings before retiring hurt with an unrelated calf injury, having made 28 in the fourth one-day worldwide being played in Dambulla.
The third ODI seemed like could go either way, but in the end the visitors managed to win a not so wanted fashion as they got home with just 2 wickets to spare.
Australias George Bailey plays a shot through the off side during the 4th ODI against Sri Lanka at Dambulla, on Wednesday.
Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews was badly shaken today after a bouncer smashed into his helmet during a match against Australia and broke a protective strap created to safeguard the back of his skull.
Earlier in the day, “Man of the Match” Hastings led from the front as he tore apart Lanka’s batting line up by scalping six wickets.
Australia: D. Warner b Pathirana 19, A. Finch lbw b Pathirana 55, U. Khawaja lbw b Pathirana 0, G. Bailey (not out) 90, T. Head lbw b Perera 40, M. Wade (not out) 8. He had again been impressive against Sri Lanka’s spinners, using his feet often, and using the sweep and reverse-sweep better than any Australia batsman has done on the tour. After suffering humiliating whitewash in three-match Test series, the ODI series comes as a respite for the visiting side. This double strike brought some hope in the Sri Lankan camp.
The final match of the series will be played in Pallekele on Sunday, with a two-match Twenty20 series to follow.
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“When you see games like the England match last night – that’s what I love about cricket”.
