Australia succumb to Dilshan magic

Sri Lanka caught Australia napping in Adelaide as they spearheaded five astonishing run-outs, including a record four by Tillakaratne Dilshan, to take a crucial 1-0 lead in the best of three VB final series.

Chasing 275 for victory, the Australians found it hard to keep up to the required run-rate as a rejuvenated Sri Lankan outfit executed a near perfect fielding performance to beat them by 22 runs.

Captain Marvan Atapattu who is still nursing a back injury, scored back to back fifties and along with Sanath Jayasuriya (25) kept their middle order from being exposed to the world’s premier bowler Brett Lee. Kumar Sangakkara (83) then laid the foundation to allow the likes of middle order specialist Dilshan (26 not out) and promising youngster Kapuggedera (38 from 21) to boost their total to 8 for 274.

The openers put on a valuable 44 for the first wicket before the dangerous Jayasuriya was brilliantly caught by Hogg at deep mid-wicket. Atapattu was the next to go, bowled trying to sweep Hogg but Sri Lanka were in a comfortable position at 2 for 109.

Australia bounced back momentarily when Stuart Clark took a sharp catch of his own bowling to dismiss Jayawardene (3 for 133), but the revival was short lived as another useful partnership of 67 between Sangakkara and Arnold turned the tide once again in Sri Lanka’s favour.

Despite the partnership, the Sri Lankans were by no means out of danger as both Sangakkara and Arnold fell in quick succession. Australia were hoping to restrict the visitors to a score of around 250 but a blistering 58 from 31 deliveries between eighteen year old Kapuggedera and Dilshan which included five sixes and two fours put the visitors in a commanding position at the break.

Australia’s run chase went according to plan at least till Gilchrist was in the crease. As soon as the wicket keeper was caught in the deep after a solid 51 for the first wicket, all hell broke lose.

Ponting returned to the pavilion without facing a ball after a terrible mix up with Katich as Dilshan ran the length of the pitch to take the bails at the non-strikers end (2 for 52). 12 runs later Dilshan sent Martyn packing through a direct hit from point.

Two more run-outs by Dilshan sent Katich (56) and Australia’s quickest Hussey (16) back to the pavilion and with it went Australia’s hopes of reaching the target.

Michael Clarke scored an impressive 80 of 83 deliveries with good support from Lee (19) and Bracken (13) but Australia never seemed to recover from the communication mishaps as he became the fifth run-out victim to complete proceedings.

Australia are now in a must win situation at Sydney on Sunday if they are to prevent Sri Lanka from emulating the West Indies, who won this series in 1993.

Full scorecard available here.

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