Wanindu Hasaranga Smacks 5 Consecutive Fours Against Jhye Richardson; Powers Sri Lanka To 300

SL vs AUS 2nd ODI - After losing the three-match T20I series 2-1, hosts Sri Lanka were looking firm in their aim to win the limited-over series. While the top three batters contributed with half-centuries, bowling all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga displayed excellent finishing skills as Sri Lanka touched the 300-run mark. In the 49th over, the batter smacked five consecutive fours against Jhye Richardson in an over, collecting 22 runs. 

After the openers - Danushka Gunathilaka (55) and Pathum Nissanka (56) gave a good start with an opening partnership of 115 runs in 19.4 overs, wicket-keeper Kusal Mendis held charge as he remained unbeaten on 86 runs in 87 balls with 8 fours and a six. 

Wanindu Hasaranga came on to bat in the 46th over as Sri Lanka lost their 6th wicket in the form of Chamika Karunaratne on a total of 258/6, a total near 300 seemed out of reach. Hasaranga didn't smack any boundary in the next two overs, scoring 10 runs off 10 balls to keep set batter, Kusal Mendis on strike. 

Jhye Richardson came on to bowl the pen ultimate over, and Wanindu Hasaranga was on strike as the scoreboard read 271/6 in 48 overs. Jhye bowled the first delviery short of length outside off, and Hasaranga backed away and outside edged through the vacant slip cordon cheekily for a four. 

Hasaranga thumped the next delivery right over bowlers head for a second four. Richardson bowled the third delivery slower and outside off, and Hasaranga went aerial with his shot guiding it over point as the fielder in the deep mistimed his dive to concede another four. 

Jhye Richardson went with a short ball on the fourth delivery and Hasranga made room for an uppercut, guiding it over the infielder at short third man for a fourth successive boundary in the over. On the 5th ball, Hasaranga moved back and across and chipped the length delivery right over the infielder at extra cover, scoring his 5th consecutive boundary of the over. 

On the last delivery, Hasaranga managed a double and completed 22 runs, taking the team total to 293/6 in 29 overs, after which Sri Lanka managed to touch the 300 mark despite losing Hasaranga in the last over. 

Also Read: Scorecard

Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss & opted to bat first against Australia in the 1st ODI of the 5-match series. This match is being played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele. While writing this piece, Australia are at 8/1 in 2 overs, requiring another 293 runs to win with Aaron Finch (5*) and Steven Smith (1*) at the crease.