Sri Lanka thump Australia to draw level

LAHIRU THIRIMANNEstruck his first one-day century as Sri Lanka levelled the one-day series against Australia with a convincing eight-wicket win yesterday.

Sri Lanka put the hosts in to bat after rain delayed the start at the Adelaide Oval and the bowlers capitalised on cloud cover and moisture in the pitch to restrict Australia to 170 all out off 46.5 overs.

The tourists’ reply started poorly when Upal Thuranga was caught behind off Clint McKay without scoring but Thirimanne (102 not out) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (51) dug in to help Sri Lanka reach 172-2 with almost 10 overs remaining.

The series is level at 1-1 after two of the five matches, with the teams next meeting in Brisbane on Friday.

The outcome hinged largely on the toss, with Sri Lanka able to tie down the Australian batsmen with the swinging ball before batting conditions improved.

The tourists reduced Australia to 83-6 at one stage though Brad Haddin (50) and Ben Cutting (27) rallied for the hosts with 57 runs for the seventh wicket.

Paceman Lasith Malinga, the pick of Sri Lanka’s bowlers with 3-32 from nine overs, halted the recovery by dismissing debutants Cutting and Kane Richardson with successive deliveries.

Earlier in the innings George Bailey (26) and David Hussey (29) were the only recognised batsmen to reach double figures and it was left to Haddin to make the score respectable with his 16th one-day half-century.

Australia will look forward to the return of rested captain Michael Clarke and opener David Warner. – Reuters