Australia's final ODI before the Champions Trophy ended in a humiliating 174-run defeat to Sri Lanka on Friday. (More Cricket News)
ౠShort of some key players, Australia were bowled out for just 107 in Colombo, having been set a target of 281.
🀅Sri Lanka have not qualified for the Champions Trophy, yet Kusal Mendis and captain Charith Asalanka stole the show with the bat.
ꦕAfter a sharp knock from opener Nishan Madushka (51), Kusal Mendis took charge, plundering 101 from 115 deliveries.
꧂With Kamindu Mendis only managing four, Asalanka combined brilliantly with Kusal Mendis, with his unbeaten tally of 78 including three sixes.
🅘Kusal Mendis was eventually dismissed by Adam Zampa, though Janith Liyanage contributed a quickfire 32.
🍌Asitha Fernando (3-23) then picked up the mantle with the ball, sending Travis Head, Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk packing inside seven overs.
ꦜSteve Smith (29) and Josh Inglis (22) offered some resistance before the latter fell to Dunith Wellalage, who took 4-35.
🔥Aaron Hardie went for a duck to Wanindu Hasaranga (3-23), and Glenn Maxwell's dismissal continued the collapse.
🍒When Smith went for lbw in the 18th over, Australia were on 83-7, and none of their tailenders managed to reach double figures as they were skittled out to round off a sorry series loss.
Data Debrief: Sri Lanka soar to record win
ꦑThis victory was Sri Lanka's biggest ever over Australia by runs. It also marks Australia's fifth-biggest loss in an ODI.
▨Sri Lanka have now won five of their last six ODIs against Australia on home soil.
🅰And while Australia can point to absences of key players, such as captain Pat Cummins, they are in poor ODI form heading into the Champions Trophy. They have lost their last four 50-over matches, more than they had lost across their last 18 matches in the format (W16 L2).
