Australia’s Dan Christian claimed a hat trick among his five dismissals, causing a middle-order collapse that restricted Sri Lanka to 238 all out in their crucial tri-series match on Friday.
Allrounder Christian had figures of 5-51, while paceman James Pattinson returned from injury to play his first ODI of the series and take 4—51.
Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne hit aggressive half centuries for Sri Lanka, which must beat Australia to be sure of reaching the tri—series finals.
Opening pair Mahela Jayawardene and Tillekeratne Dilshan got Sri Lanka off to a poor start after Jayawardene won the toss and elected to bat.
Jayawardene (5) was run out in the second over, as he attempted a risky single and was beatent by a David Hussey direct hit.
Pattinson claimed his first wicket a short time later when he had Dilshan (9) caught behind.
Sangakkara and Chandimal then combined to steady the innings, while building up the run rate with a 123—run third-wicket partnership.
Sangakkara was eventually caught at deep square leg by Peter Forrest off Pattinson for 64 when he top—edged a shorter delivery.
Chandimal became Pattinson’s third victim when he was caught by Clint McKay at mid—off while attempting a straight drive. His 75 came off 84 balls with three fours and a six.
Dan Christian removed Angelo Mathews for 5 when Xavier Doherty claimed an athletic running catch near the mid—on boundary.
Perera (5) was caught off a Christian ball two overs later on the deep mid—wicket boundary by Michael Hussey, who grabbed the ball, threw it into play and re—caught it to save six runs.
Christian struck again with the next ball to trap Sachithra Senanayake lbw for a duck and completed the hat trick when he dismissed Nuwan Kulasekara in similar fashion without scoring.
Lahiru Thirimanne was out for 51 in the 49th over when he played a Pattinson ball onto his stumps, and Christian completed his five—wicket haul by bowling Lasith Malinga for 2 with the last ball of the innings.
Scoreboard
Mahela Jayawardene run out D Hussey 5
Tillekeratne Dilshan c Wade b Pattinson 9
Kumar Sangakkara c Forrest b Pattinson 64
Dinesh Chandimal c McKay b Pattinson 75
Lahiru Thirimanne p Pattinson 51
Angelo Mathews c Doherty b Christian 5
Thissara Perera c M Hussey b Christian 5
Sachithra Senanayake lbw b Christian 0
Nuwan Kulasekera lbw b Christian 0
Rangana Herath not out 14
Lasith Malinga b Christian 2
Extras : (2b, 4lb, 2w) 8
TOTAL : 238
Overs : 50
Fall of wickets : 1-10, 2-17, 3-140, 4-186, 5-195, 6-206, 7-206, 8-206, 9-235, 10-238.
Bowling : Pattinson 10-0-51-4 (1w), Hilfenhaus 7-0-29-0, McKay 8-0-39-0 (1w), D Hussey 1-0-6-0, Christian 9-0-31-5, Watson 7-0-28-0, Doherty 8-0-48-0.
Umpires : Asad Rauf, Pakistan, and Rod Tucker, Australia.
Third Umpire : Simon Fry, Australia. Match Referee: Chris Broad, England.
