SL VS AUS ODI

Right then, two down, and one more to go. It has been a topsy-turvy tour so far with Australia winning the T20I series 2-1 and then Sri Lanka making a strong comeback to clinch the ODI series 3-2. But now it's time for the ultimate test as the two sides gear up for a two-match Test series starting on the 29th of June. The first Test will be played in Galle and play will begin at 10 am IST (4.30 am GMT) but our build-up will begin much sooner. Do join us then. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Dasun Shanaka then goes on to pick up the series trophy and his team members join him on the podium to celebrate. As the trophy is lifted, the crowd can be heard chanting 'Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka,' quite vociferously.

Dasun Shanaka, captain of Sri Lanka says, that it is disappointing to have lost the match but they need to keep pushing themselves and the crowd has been brilliant. Adds that they took the momentum from the last T20I game into the ODI series and almost won the first ODI but were able to get on a roll after that. Mentions that he is happy with the efforts of his players, especially Kusal Mendis and is happy to see him back in form and then goes on to thank a few more players for their efforts. Adds that the crowd deserves a lot of applause because they always believed in the team and then goes on to applaud the Australian team, the staff, and also the groundsmen.

The Australian skipper, Aaron Finch is down for a quick chat. He says that the series was hard-fought, but he credits Sri Lanka for the way they played and adds that Sri Lanka deserved to win. Mentions that most of their players got the starts but they were not able to put big partnerships. They did get partnerships of 40 and 50 runs but they are not enough. Further adds that going forward they need to maximize the middle overs. But he is pleased with how the team performed in this final ODI. Concludes by thanking all the fans, and says they have been amazing.

Kusal Mendis (249 runs in 5 matches) is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for scoring the most runs in the series! He says that he is happy to have performed for the team and is happy that they were able to win the series. Adds that it is an important series victory especially given the World Cup coming up next year. Ends by saying that his role in the team is quite clear.

Chamika Karunaratne (75 runs off 75 balls) is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his valiant effort even though he ended on the losing side. This is something we don't see that often in cricket but such was the importance of his innings in this game. Karunaratne joins Roshan Abeysinghe for a chat. He says that he is very happy after this knock only because he has not been performing with the bat but he always believed in himself and he knew today was his day. Adds that he wanted to only rotate the strike, and keep batting till the end, they wanted to get 200 on board and he further adds that Pramod Madushan supported him really well from the other end. Concludes by thanking all the fans for their support and also thanking the Australian team to tour Sri Lanka in such difficult times.

The presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, after opting to bat first, Sri Lanka were never ever allowed to get off the blocks and the Australian bowlers just kept on picking wickets at regular intervals. Josh Hazlewood was brilliant at the top of the order as usual and Matthew Kuhnemann too bowled really well. With Sri Lanka on course of being bundled out for less than 100, Chamika Karunaratne took on the mantle and put on a brilliant display with the bat to score 75 runs and he was well-supported by debutant Pramod Madushan. The hosts did get past 150 but with the depth, Australia have in their batting lineup, they were able to get rid of early batting woes to go on and win the match.

Sri Lanka had a modest total on the board but were able to make a match out of it and at one point, they were even in control of the game. After starting with pace, Dasun Shanaka brought in spinners from both ends, and Maheesh Theekshana along with Dunith Wellalage bowled in tandem and never let the Aussies have an easy time. In the middle overs though, the other spinners weren't just able to pick up wickets even though the required rate was kept in check. Dunith Wellalage came back in to pick up two more wickets but in the end, Sri Lanka just didn't have enough runs on the board and were handed a comprehensive defeat.

Australia needed just 161 runs to win, a brilliant opportunity for them to end a disappointing ODI series on a high. The job however became all the more difficult when both openers fell inside the first three overs. After that, it kept on getting worse and at one point they were 50/4. Then came a match-saving partnership worth 51 runs between Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey which got the visitors a bit ahead in the game. A couple of more wickets fell but Carey stayed at the crease and had brilliant support from Cameron Green at the other end. The pair made sure that they saw their side over the line safely.

It has been a hard-fought contest but it is Australia who have shown grit and determination to get over the line, thanks to a brilliant match-winning knock from Alex Carey. The five-match ODI series ends 3-2 in favor of Sri Lanka. Also, there is a huge chant of Australia from the crowd, showing their gratitude to the touring side. Aaron Finch is seen leading the response as he and his men take a round of the stadium soaking in the applause from the crowd in the Premadasa.

SIX! Bang! Cameron Green finishes things off in style! Fuller ball, around the off pole. Cameron Green dances down the track and tonks it long off for a biggie. Australia win by 4 wickets!

Very full, on the pads, tosses it up. Cameron Green flicks it towards the fielder at mid-wicket.

Loopy ball, full, around middle. Alex Carey sweeps it towards deep square leg for a single.

Outside off, fuller in length. Cameron Green steps down the track and blocks it out.

Pitched up, outside off, that one stays low as well. Cameron Green stays on the back foot and tries to block this but he misses it completely.

Tossed up delivery, very full on this occasion. Cameron Green pushes it on the right of the bowler. Maheesh Theekshana dives to his right and makes a terrific stop.