16 run win helps Australia take CB Series 2-1
Australia beat Sri Lanka by 16 runs in the third final of the 2012 Commonwealth Bank Series at Adelaide to take the series 2-1. Royal Challengers Bangalore allrounder Tillakaratne Dilshan had a reason to smile despite Sri Lanka’s loss, winning the Man of the Series award.
Sri Lanka’s decision to bowl first upon winning the toss seemed to be a wrong move when David Warner (49) and Matthew Wade (48) built a 75 run partnership for the first wicket. Watson and Wade added another 40 runs for the second wicket before Dilshan got into the act. He took the wicket of Watson (19) and ran Michael Hussey (1) out to reduce Australia to 119/3.
The Australians couldn’t manage big enough partnerships from there, the pressure affecting their run rate as they slumped to 231 all out in the 50th over. It took vital runs from the tail, Brett Lee (32) and Clint McKay (28) adding 40 runs for the 8th wicket to take Australia past 200.
McKay and Lee returned to reduce Sri Lanka to 53/4 sending back the big four of Tillakaratne Dilshan (8), Jayawardene (15), Sangakkara (19) and Chandimal (5). Upul Tharanga (71 off 122 balls) received brisk support from Thirimanne (30), Kulasekara (15) and Maharoof (18) but their efforts were not enough for Sri Lanka.
Stand in skipper Watson lent crucial support to Australia’s defence taking 2/13 in 7 overs while Clint McKay dominated with his 5/28 to deliver Australia a 16 run win, bowling Sri Lanka out for 215 in 48.5 overs.
Australia took the CB Series 2-1 with the win at Adelaide but Sri Lanka had no reason to be sad, the performance of their entire squad was the highlight of the tournament.
Tillakaratne Dilshan was the best batsman on show in the tournament, taking the Man of the Series for topping the run charts at 513 runs from 11 innings at an average of 51.3. Virat Kohli led the run charts for India with 373 runs from 8 innings at an average of 53.28.
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