Sri Lanka stun Aussies to take 2-1 series lead

BRISBANE,: Sri Lanka found prodigious swing yesterday to shoot out Australia for 74 runs, their lowest one-day international total in 27 years, and take a 2-1 lead in the series.

But thewinners had to overcame a shaky start to its small run chase before beating Australia by four wickets with a full 30 overs taking a 2-1 lead in the one-day series thanks chiefly to Nuwan Kulasekara’s five-wicket haul.

Australia, boosted by the return of regular captain Michael Clarke and test stars David Warner and Matthew Wade, crumbled as Kulasekara took 5-22 after the hosts won the toss and elected to bat.

Angelo Mathews (1-10) had Warner caught in the second over of Australia’s innings, then Kulasekara removed opening partner Phil Hughes, David Hussey, George Bailey, Clarkeand Moises Henriques in succession to leave the hosts reeling on 30-6. Tailender Mitchell Starc top scored with an unbeaten 22, rescuing Australia from an even more dismal score, having been 40-9.

Sri Lanka captainMahela Jayawardene (1) was dismissedby Clint McKay in the first over before the visitors slumped to 37-4. But despite some spirited bowling from Mitchell Johnson (3-11), the tourists had too many wickets and overs in hand.

Then Johnson removed Tillakaratne Dilshan (22), Lahiru Thirimanne (7) and Mathews (0) in the space of eight balls. — Agencies