Australia's stand-in captain Steve Smith conceded that his side were outplayed across the two matches in their ODI series against Sri Lanka. (More Cricket News)
Smith watched on as Australia wꦕere dealt their fifth-biggest loss in an ODI match, with Sri Lanka romping to a 174-run triumph in Colo𒀰mbo on Friday.
Indeed, this was the Aussies' heaviest defeat in ODIs in Asia, with their 107 runs surpassing the 139 they scored against India in Sharjah bac💜k in March 1985.
It was far from the💮 ideal preparation for Australia, who will kickstart their Champions Trophy campaign next🙈 Saturday against England in Lahore.
They have lost their last four 5♔0-over matches, more than they had lost across their last 18 matches in the format (W16 L2), though 🍰Smith said it was not for lack of trying.
"We have been outplayed in these last tw✨o games. We keep moving forward, credit to Sri Lanka, they played well on these♌ surfaces," Smith said.
"Thought their bowlers did exceptionally 🍨well. These wickets skidded more than ��the Test wickets.
"It has been a fun time here in Sri🅠 Lanka. Some great memories made in the last few weeks."
But for Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka, it was a series to remember as his 78 runs from 66 deౠliveries paved t🌃he way for their triumph in the second ODI.
He also scored 127 run🐼s in the first match of the series, which Sri Lanka won by 49 runs, while he also ended the🔜 two matches with bowling figures of 1-5.
Sri Lanka have now won five of their last six ODIs against Australia on home soil, but will not be able to continu꧒e their winning momentum at the Champions Trophy next week.
"There is no mantra. I just wanted to score big hundreds and get three-four wickets from each man. Clear🀅ly, the pitch had l♍ower bounce today than in the last game," he said.
"No seam movement. But a good pitch. 🧸Kusal Mendis and Nishan Madushka set the platform for us. Australia also bowled we𝕴ll, but today is our day. Both days went really well.
";When I go💧 to bat, I don't think about🐭 captaincy. I am the No. 5 batter for the team. It is disappointing to miss out on the Champions Trophy.
🐓"But you don't need to look back and think much. But we should not repeat the mistakes and look forward to such a form."
