END OF OVER:31 | 12 Runs | AUS: 217/4 | RR: 7.00
- Matthew Wade8 (5b)
- George Bailey90 (85b)
- Dilruwan Perera7-0-69-1
- Amila Aponso8-0-59-0
9.00pm What a chase this has been. 213 was never going to be easy, it wasn't but Australia made it look like a canter. Finch first blitzed an 18-ball half-century, equalling the fastest by an Australian. Sachith Pathirana picked up three wickets in five balls but the damage was done. The surface was spinning viciously but George Bailey controlled the chase thereafter, reverse sweeping and sweeping Australia to the target. A sublime chase from Bailey and Australia means the visitors take an unassailable lead in the series.
Presentation time.
John Hastings, Man of the Match: "Not an easy place to bowl, it's hot and sticky, and uncomfortable. For me, it's very simple, hit a really good area, use the long boundaries and the wind. Had an absence in the one-day side, but happy now with what I provide. Was not the best I've ever bowled, the rhythm was a lot better as the game went on. Means a lot to the boys after losing the Test series."
David Warner: "Very very pleasing. Thrilled to win the series, hard-fought effort. Conditions here are quite challenging. We want to put on a spectacle for the crowd, that's the way we play. It's our way of playing, whether we play on these wickets. We try to put on a clinic if we can. The hard ball was going to be the key. Tough to muscle your way out of a form slump. Couldn't be happier for George, has had to play out of his skin. He's been innovative, he's been our backbone and rock in the middle.
Dinesh Chandimal: "Really disappointed with the way we played, didn't click as a batting unit through the series. We didn't do well. Before the game started, we wanted 260-270 plus, if we don't get that the bowlers can't do anything. He's (Mathews) a big loss, he got a calf strain. We miss him. Looking forward to seeing him in South Africa. No, he's not fit for the last game. Has a scan tomorrow. It was a turning point, if we got that wicket we would have had a great chance. Credit to their batters, especially Bailey.
Karthik: "Finally the Aussies have devised a successful plan to combat Aponso's spin. This approach against the wily old fox Herath did not work though!"
END OF OVER:30 | 8 Runs | AUS: 205/4 (8 runs required from 20 overs, RR: 6.83, RRR: 0.40)
- George Bailey86 (82b)
- Matthew Wade1 (2b)
- Amila Aponso8-0-59-0
- Dilruwan Perera6-0-58-1
END OF OVER:29 | 4 Runs 1 Wkt | AUS: 197/4 (16 runs required from 21 overs, RR: 6.79, RRR: 0.76)
- Matthew Wade0 (1b)
- George Bailey79 (77b)
- Dilruwan Perera6-0-58-1
- Amila Aponso7-0-51-0
Kaushal: "The main reason Australia are going to win this series is because Bailey hasn't lost his Head in the middle overs.. "
TM Head lbw b MDK Perera 40 (77m 60b 2x4 0x6) SR: 66.66