Australia has again picked the vital art of winning matches, somethig it had in abundance about 4 years ago. Today, the team showed its mettle where in spite of being restricted to a meagre total at Perth, they fought back and sealed a memorble victory. Now, they have notched straight victories against World Cup finalists India and Sri Lanka and are sitting pretty.
The match started on a sorry note with Australia losing Wade and Ponting quite early. In fact, Warner and Hussey went off with a mere 81 on board, but Clarke played a captain’s innings with a staid half century. That triple century in Sydney has bolstered Clarke’s confidence immensely. However, Ponting’s ugly form in ODI is a spot of concern for them.
What eventually won them some leeway was an intelligent 9th wicket partnership between Starc and Mcay. They added 32 runs from 192 and ensured that their bowlers have at least something decent to defend. Yet these days, you can only call a target of 232 modest at best. Sri lanka had all 5 main bowlers share 2 wickets apiece, as Australia was bundled out for 231.
In reply, with Sangakkara, Dilshan and Jayawerdhene in their side, Sri Lanka might have hoped to take an early dinner. However, brilliant fielding and maintained bowling paved the way for consistent fall of wickets. Doherty was clearly the pick of Aussie’s bowlers as he took 2 for 24 off his allotted 10 overs. Starc also was extremely economical an took a wicket too.
Dilshan made 40 and Chandimal 37, but that was where the first half resistance ended. Angelo Matthews played a sensible towing inning with tailenders, and took them close to the target whenrein he played a blinder in the last over, needing 18 to win and lost by mere 5 runs. However, purists would suggest it was an easy victory for Aussies.
