Bouncer leaves Mathews shaken, Australia triumph

DAMBULLA: Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews was badly shaken after a bouncer smashed into his helmet during the fourth ODI against Australia and broke a protective strap designed to safeguard the back of his skull.

Play was stopped for several minutes while Mathews recovered from the impact of the ball from fast bowler Scott Boland which evoked memories of the on-field death of the Australian batsman Phillip Hughes in 2014.

Mathews was struck after losing sight and then turning his back on a rising delivery from Boland which thudded into the base of the helmet, just above his neck.

The 29-year-old could be seen rubbing the back of his head vigorously and was given the onceover by Sri Lankan physio Paul Klarenaar.

John Hastings claimed six wickets before Aaron Finch and George Bailey’s attacking halfcenturies powered Australia to a series clinching six-wicket win over Sri Lanka.

Australia rode on Finch’s 19-ball 55 and an unbeaten 90 from Bailey to chase down 213 in 31 overs and take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.

TEAR-GASSED

Sri Lankan police fired teargas to disperse hundreds of fans trying to force their way into the stadium. About 300 fans tried to force their way into the 18,000-capacity Dambulla stadium after the authorities announced that all tickets had been sold and asked anyone without tickets to leave the area, a police official said. BRIEF SCORES Sri Lanka 212 (D de Silva 76, A Mathews 40; J Hastings 6-45) Australia 217/4 (G Bailey 90 no, A Finch 55; S Pathirana 3-37).