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13-Jan-2013 12:19:00 GMT
Australia v Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI, Adelaide

Thirimanne Ton Helps Level Series

Adelaide: Sri Lanka rocketed to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Australia in the second one-day international at Adelaide Oval, piloted by a fine maiden ton to Lahiru Thirimanne.

In a drastic form reversal following Friday's 107-run hammering at the MCG and the 3-0 Test series whitewash, the tourists romped to 2-172 after 40.1 overs to secure the drought-breaking win.

They levelled the five-match series at 1-1 after Australia were rolled for 170 in 46.5 overs.

The hero was Thirimanne, who brought up his century with the winning runs after anchoring the successful chase with an unbeaten 102.

He combined in a match-winning 137-run second-wicket union with Tillakaratne Dilshan (51) to break Sri Lanka's tour-long drought.

Earlier, Sri Lanka's seamers led by veteran Lasith Malinga skittled out Australia for 170.

Veteran wicket-keeper Brad Haddin top-scored with 50 while 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.

Brief scores
Australia
170 (Haddin 50, Malinga 3-32)
Sri Lanka 2 for 172 (Thirimanne 102*, Dilshan 51)
Result Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets
MOM Lahiru Thirimanne (Sri Lanka)


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