Sri Lanka’s batting frailties were exposed once again down under as Zack Evans bagged a well crafted four-for to contain the visitors to a 163 all out. Austin Waugh once again came up trumps with the bat as he carried the Australians to a 4 wicket win and they wrap up the series 3-1 despite an early onslaught by the young Sri Lankan bowlers.
Sri Lanka youth skipper Kamindu Mendis won the toss and opted to bat first in the fourth ODI played at Kingston Twin Ovals, Hobart.
The Islanders were reduced earlier on (4-39) with openers Vishva Chathuranga (15), Lasith Croospulle (5), vice-captain Hasitha Boyagoda (2), and skipper Kamindu Mendis (7) all back in the shed.
In-form right hander Jehan Daniel and wicket-keeper Krishan Arachchige added 62 runs for the 5th wicket stand as the Lankans passed100 at a rate of three runs per over. Daniel top scored for the visitors with 36, while Arachchige made a useful 29 for the Lankan resistance.
Right-hander Ayana Siriwardena came and went early for a duck and Jehan Daniel fell soon after, before some lower-order resistance from Rashmika Dilshan (25 off 50 balls) and Nipun Ransika (28 off 29). They both put on a stubborn 41 runs for the 8th wicket ensuring the hosts batted through their overs to post a fighting 163 for 8 wickets.
Hosts bowling attack led by Zak Evans, once again starred with the ball claiming his third four-wicket haul for the series to finish with figures of 4-30 in 10 overs, while Iain Carlisle picked up 2-18 off his eight overs to restrict visitors to a below-par total.
Chasing a modest target to win, the hosts lost three wickets in quick succession as Nipun Ransika and Rashmika Dilshan struck the Australian top order in the space of two overs. That brought together Austin Waugh and Jack Edwards together for the 4th wicket partnership which put on a valuable 39 runs.
Jehan Daniel got the better of Jack Edwards for 15 runs to break the partnership once again to peg back the hosts as they found themselves at 4/41. However, the inform Austin Waugh paired with Mathew Spoors for the 5th wicket to compile a match winning partnership of 58 to salvage the Australian innings.
Despite the loss of Spoors when the scoreboard showed 99, Austin went onto score yet another well compiled 60 in 125 to anchor the Aussie innings which comprised of 4 boundaries. Jonathan Merlo put up a 41-run partnership with Austin Waugh before the anchorman was sent back to the hut by left-arm spinner Hareen Buddila. That couldn’t prevent the inevitable as the Australians cruised past the victory target with 4 wickets to spare in 45.4 overs. Jonathan Merlo made a handy contribution lower down the order as he chipped in with 43 of 49 deliveries.
Hareen Buddila and Nipun Ransika were the pick of the bowlers as the duo capped 2 wickets a piece for the visitors in a fighting bowling effort. The Australia under 19’s bagged the series comfortably with a game to spare in the five-match series.
Australian fast bowler Zack Evans was adjudged man of the match for his 4-wicket haul during the Australian bowling spell as it helped contain the Sri Lankan batting to a below par total.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka U19 – 163/8 (50) Jehan Daniel 36, Krishan Arachchige 29, Nipun Ransika 28, Rashmika Dilshan 25*, Zak Evans 3/12, Iain Carlisle 2/15.
Australia U19 – 164/6 (45.4) Austin Waugh 60, Jonathan Merlo 43*, Mathew Spoors 32, Nipun Ransika 2/22, Hareen Buddhila 2/22.
Result – Australia won by 4 wickets.
