Australia suffers worst ever ODI defeat to Sri Lanka as hosts secure series whitewash
Australia has suffered its worst ever ODI defeat to Sri Lanka whitewashed at Colombo in their final warm-up game before the Champions Trophy.
Sri Lanka dominated with bat and ball to win by 174 runs as a second string Australian side struggled to gain any momentum.
Australia's worst loss before that was in 2016 when Sri Lanka won by 82 runs.
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"A really poor batting performance from the Australian unit," Brad Hodge said on Seven.
Kusal Mendis celebrates his hundred while Adam Zampa reacts after he was the last wicket to fall. Getty
Sri Lanka elected to bat after winning the toss and were in a spot of bother early when Aaron Hardie bowled Pathum Nissanka for 6.
From there the home side dominated, losing only another three wickets.
Nishan Madushka was next to depart for 51 after a smart catch from Adam Zampa on the boundary with Sri Lanka 2-113.
Kamindu Mendis fell cheaply for 4 not long after but then Kusal Mendis took complete control, belting his fifth ODI century.
The centurion was immediately after his celebrations dismissed for 101 but Charith Asalanka (78 not out) and Janith Liyanage (32no) guided Sri Lanka to a score of 4-281.
Australia's chase never had any momentum apart from the first over when Travis Head 13 of the first over while Matt Short chipped in with 1.
Two overs later, Short was gone for 2 and the wickets kept falling.
The danger man Head (18) was caught brilliantly on the boundary at 3-33 to put Sri Lanka in the box seat.
The biggest partnership of 46 between Josh Inglis (22) and Steve Smith (29) then followed but spinners Dunith Wellalage and Wanindu Hasaranga didn't allow any chance of a fightback.
Both men dismissed every batter from Steve Smith down as Australia were bowled out for 107.
Wellalage finished with 4-35 while Hasaranga took 3-23. Fast bowler Asitha Fernando also had 3-23.
"We've been outplayed over these two games," Steve Smith said post-match.
Kusal Mendis finished with the player of the match honour for his century. Player of the series was awarded to captain Charith Asalanka.
The series victory provides Sri Lanka with some comfort after losing the Test series 2-0.
