Australia fall to pieces in Sri Lanka, losing one-day series in whitewash

Sri Lanka have completed their first whitewash of Australia in a one-day series with a record-breaking 174-run victory at Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Set a challenging 282 to win, Australia were bowled out for just 107 in 24.2 overs on Friday to give Sri Lanka a 2-0 series sweep in a dreadful warm-up for the Champions Trophy, beginning in Pakistan next week.

It was the first time Australia have lost all their matches during nine one-day series in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s previous largest one-day victory over Australia was 82 runs at the same venue in 2016. While Australia avoided their lowest one-day score against Sri Lanka, 74 at Brisbane’s Gabba in 2013, it was easily their lowest one-day score in Sri Lanka, going under the 124 they made at the SSC Ground in Colombo in 1983.

This after Australia took 14 from the first over of their innings, with the recalled Travis Head (18) hitting Asitha Fernando for three boundaries. Fernando fought back strongly to finish with 3-23, while Wanindu Hasaranga took 3-23 and Dunith Wellalage 4-35.

Acting captain Steve Smith top-scored with 29 as Australia lost their last seven wickets for just 28.

Sri Lanka set up victory with a second century in as many matches when Kusal Mendis made 101 from 115 balls as his side scored 4-281 from their 50 overs after the home side won the toss and batted on a dry and unresponsive pitch.

Mendis ton follows captain Charith Asalanka’s 127 in 126 balls with 14 fours and five sixes on Wednesday, which set up a 49-run victory.