Charit Aslanka’s maiden One Day International century and an inspired spin attack helped Sri Lanka win a thrilling four-run series over Australia on Tuesday.
Left-arm Aslanka scored 110 to bowl Sri Lanka out for 258, which on aggregate proved to be enough to give the hosts an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series in Colombo.
Opener David Warner’s 99 went in vain as Australia were bowled out for 254 and the island nation won their first bi-lateral series against the Aussies in more than a decade. He last won in 2010.
Spinners Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeffrey Vandersay and pacer Chamika Karunaratne, who was the only regular seamer in the team, took two wickets each.
Pat Cummins’ late cameo of 35 runs and number 10 of 15 off 12 balls Matthew Kuehneman, who hit three fours as Australia needed 19 in the 50th over, stunned Sri Lanka.
Earlier, Aslanka saved Sri Lanka 34-3 and added 101 runs with Dhananjaya de Silva, who scored 60.
The Australian bowlers kept coming back with crucial wickets, but Aslanka reached her century, cheering the raucous home visitors, who jumped to their feet to applaud the knock.
Vanindu Hasaranga played a useful role of 21 not out and added 34 runs for the eighth wicket with Asalanka.
Aslanka eventually fell at the hands of Cummins and Australia soon wrapped up the innings with two run outs in 49 overs.
In reply, Australia lost skipper Aaron Finch, with Karunaratne lbw the opener.
Warner kept his cool and added 63 runs with Mitchell Marsh, who looked good, scoring 26 runs before falling into a left-arm spin from Dunith Velalez.
Australia lost Marnus Labuschagne and wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey after the start but fell to the Sri Lankan spinners.
The usually attacking Warner tried to crush the opposition attack and got Travis Head for company as the duo put on 58 runs for the fifth wicket.
De Silva bowled a left-handed 27 after the on-field umpire rejected the appeal and Mahesh Thikshana dismissed Glenn Maxwell lbw with a successful review for one.
But the big moment came when left-hander Warner missed his century after being stumped off de Silva as the home side celebrated the crucial wicket.
Cameron Green and Cummins tried to open the chase in a 31-run partnership but Green was bowled by Vandersay.
Cummins was dismissed in the 49th over but Kuhneman fought till the end before being dismissed off the last ball.
The final match is on Friday at the same ground.
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