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Rain has thwarted Australia’s attempt to square the series, after only 3.2 overs were completed in the second innings following the home side’s 9/222.
For the first time this summer Australia’s line-up was unchanged, looking to make amends for the woeful outing in Brisbane just two days earlier, while Sri Lanka welcomed back Dinesh Chandimal and Rangana Herath.
In similar conditions to those at the Gabba, Michael Clarke won the toss and elected to bat, undeterred by overhead cloud and the threat of rain.
Nuwan Kulasekara continued his rich vein of form, removing Phil Hughes in his first over.
Hughes’s weekend reminded fans of his glaring technical flaw, falling yet again caught behind after Kulasekara squared him up with another pearler. Like Chris Martin in 2011, Kulasekara troubled the left-handed Hughes by angling the ball across him. Old habits die hard.
Clarke arrived and immediately his intent was clear, with a glorious cover drive off just his second delivery faced. He repeated the dose two balls later, stamping his authority as if to say “bring it on”.
Kulasekara continued to ask questions with movement off the pitch, but Warner and Clarke were determined to survive and keep the series alive.
Clarke however, made a run-a-ball 20 before Kulasekara snaked another delivery back into Clarke’s legs to have him lbw.
Warner continued to play, miss and leave the ball, but throughout he appeared resolute.
At the other end, Lasith Malinga executed a brilliantly directed plan to dismiss David Hussey, pushing him deep into his crease with a series of searing short deliveries before eventually having him caught behind with a distinct lack of footwork. Yet again Australia’s innings was in disarray at 3/53.
George Bailey didn’t look like he would fare much better than his counterparts, playing and missing to five Malinga out-swingers.
He did manage to grind, compiling a battling 22 before recklessly throwing his wicket away, caught at mid-on off Herath, ending a 40-run stand.
Warner defied the carnage at the other end, keeping the scoreboard active with a bold knock. With a marvellous drive through the offside, Warner registered a brilliant half-century, but he was well aware the job was only half complete.
Unfortunately for Warner, his innings prematurely ended on 60, when he was controversially adjudged lbw to Thisara Perera despite two discernible noises.
Replays confirmed Warner’s disgruntled sentiments, and a thick inside edge was revealed. Further to Warner’s misfortune was the fact Clarke earlier wasted the one and only referral available, despite the ball clearly hitting middle.
Three overs later Moises Henriques fell victim to another umpiring howler. Henriques was determined lbw by umpire Paul Reiffel despite inside edging Herath, leaving Australia 6/130.
Clarke’s wishful referral had now potentially cost his side two crucial wickets.
Trying to eke out as many runs as possible and lift the total to something in the realms of 200, Australia’s last recognised batsman Matthew Wade made 31 before he was caught at third man trying to seize the initiative with less than 10 overs remaining.
Like the previous match at the Gabba, Mitchell Starc was left with the task of milking as many runs as possible.
Again he batted well, this time yielding a quick-fire 52* and guiding Australia to 9/222 having arrived at the wicket with the score just 7/145.
Starc registered his maiden ODI half-century, finding the boundary three times in the final two overs to seemingly seize the momentum for the hosts.
Sri Lanka will be disappointed that they allowed the final Australian pairing to add 40, despite the earlier brilliance from Kulasekara (3/30) and Malinga (2/33).
The second stanza of the match was highlighted by an unofficial world record for the longest beer snake as the crowd kept themselves amused throughout the rain delay.
Sri Lanka’s innings had started without hiccup to be 0/14. Unfortunately, that would be how it stayed as the umpires deemed the outfield unsuitable for play despite a rain-less 45 minute period.
The no-result outcome ensures Sri Lanka cannot lose the series. Australia however, will be hoping to save face in Hobart and Wednesday and at least balance the ledger.
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