Pathum Nisanka’s scintillating century helped Sri Lanka win the third ODI of the five-match series by 6 wickets against Australia. With this he took a 2-1 lead. Sri Lanka won the second match by 26 runs, while in the first match they had to face defeat by 2 wickets at the hands of Australia.
Like the third ODI, the fourth match of the series is to be played on 21 June 2022 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. If Sri Lanka manages to win the fourth ODI, they will be able to win the ODI series against Australia at home after 20 years. Sri Lanka last won an ODI series at home against Australia in August 1992. Then he won the 3-match series 2-1.
Talking about the third ODI, Australian captain Aaron Finch won the toss and decided to bat. Australia scored 291 runs for 6 wickets in 50 overs. Chasing the target, Sri Lanka scored 292 runs for 4 wickets in 48.3 overs and won the match. For Sri Lanka, Pathum Nisanka scored 137 runs in 147 balls with the help of 11 fours and 2 sixes. He scored a century for the first time in his ODI career.
Apart from him, Kusal Mendis retired hurt after scoring 87 runs in 85 balls with the help of 8 fours. Opener and wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella became the victim of Glenn Maxwell on a personal score of 25 runs. Dhananjay de Silva also scored 25 runs. Jhye Richardson took 2 wickets for 39 runs for Australia. Josh Hazlewood and Glenn Maxwell also managed to take a wicket each.
A magnificent maiden ODI century from Pathum Nissanka ? , ,
Full match highlights: https://t.co/n5tKIWabra#SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/asuklj3cbj
— Sri Lanka Cricket ?? (@OfficialSLC) June 20, 2022
Earlier, Australia had a poor start. He lost the wicket of David Warner (9 runs) for 14 runs. Mitchell Marsh, who came in his place, also could not stay at the crease for a long time and returned to the pavilion on a personal score of 10 runs. At that time Australia’s score was 47 runs in 10.3 overs. Aaron Finch then shared a 69-run partnership with Marnus Labuschagne for the third wicket.
Labuschagne departs after scoring 29 runs. When 121 runs were added to the team’s account, then Finch also returned to the pavilion after scoring 62 runs. After this, wicketkeeper Alex Carey and Travis Head shared a 72-run partnership for the 5th wicket. Alex Carey was dismissed for 49 runs in the last ball of the 40th over.
Travis Head remained unbeaten on 70. Glenn Maxwell contributed 33 runs with the bat. For Sri Lanka, Jeffrey Vandersay took 3 wickets for 49 runs. Mahesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage and Dhananjaya de Silva took one wicket each.