Lasith Malinga celebrates the dismissal of Ben Cutting in Adelaide Sri Lanka defeated Australia by eight wickets in the second one-day international at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday to level the series. The tourists dismissed Australia for 170 in 46.5 overs and then eased their way to victory for the loss of just two wickets with 59 balls remaining.
Lahiru Thirimanne hit an unbeaten 102 while Tillakaratne Dilshan made 51 in the visitors chase.
In the morning session, Sri Lanka, who suffered a 107-run defeat in Melbourne on Friday in the first of the five-match series, won the toss and produced a tight bowling display.
Veteran wicket-keeper Brad Haddin top-scored with 50 while paceman Lasith Malinga claimed three wickets for 32.
Sri Lanka effectively shackled Australia from the outset and picked up wickets at regular intervals. Opener Aaron Finch was first to go, caught off Angelo Mathews for just four after heavy rain delayed the start.
Nuwan Kulasekera then had opening match centurion Phillip Hughes plumb lbw for three and Australia were in trouble on two for 12.
Skipper George Bailey struggled to 26 before Lahiru Thirimanne took a leaping catch off a Malinga delivery.
David Hussey looked the man for a tough job, picking up occasional boundaries and putting on 39 with Bailey.
But Hussey only got to 29 when he hesitated going for a single and Tillakaratne Dilshan scored a lightning hit on the stumps from mid-wicket.
Australia's inexperienced side needed a big innings from Haddin but he struggled with Malinga and watched as partners disappeared.
Steve Smith played a couple of good shots but went for eight, edging a Thisara Perera leg cutter to keeper Kushal Perera. Glen Maxwell never looked set and nicked a fine ball from Mathews to the wicketkeeper.
Ben Cutting, another debutant, brought some composure and quickly hit his first international boundary.
His seventh-wicket partnership with Haddin for 57 proved Australia's best, but another edge to the keeper ended his innings for 27.
Kane Richardson on his debut and on his home ground was lbw for a duck off a deceptive slower ball from Malinga.
Clint McKay fended off the hat-trick ball but was given out for four after a review of a fine outside edge caught behind the wicket again by Kushal Perera.
Haddin tried to go on the attack and struck a big six off Thisara Perera but had to work hard for his half-century.
On 50 he holed out to Lahiru Thirimanna at midwicket off the bowling of Ajantha Mendis to close the innings.
The next game in the five-match series takes place in Brisbane on Friday.
Source: AFP