Sri Lanka clinched an wicket-wicket win in the third ODI against Australia on Sunday. The hosts now lead the five-match series by 2-1. Aaron Finch and Travis Head scored fifties each as Australia managed 291/6 in 50 overs. However, their knocks went in vain, with Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka (137) dishing out a scintillating ton. Sri Lanka (292/4) won by six wickets.
Australia got off to a shaky start as they lost two wickets in 11 overs. The visitors fetched partnerships at frequent intervals to keep themselves afloat on what was a spinner-friendly wicket on offer. Later, Sri Lankan openers laid a decent exhibition. A century-plus stand between Nissanka and Mendis proved overpowering for the Aussies as they faced a second successive defeat in the series.
Earlier, Australia won the toss and chose to bat first.
Travis Head smashed 70 as Australia braved a spin onslaught by Sri Lanka to reach 291-6.
Australian opener David Warner went for nine in the third over, top-edging a Dushmantha Chameera bouncer to Maheesh Theekshana at fine leg.
Back from injury, Mitchell Marsh struggled to get going and departed for 10 off 23 deliveries, caught at cover by Kusal Mendis after a slower delivery by Dunith Wellalage.
Marnus Labuschagne came in at number four ahead of Head and he and Aaron Finch added 69 before Labuschagne was stumped by Niroshan Dickwella off Jeffrey Vandersay for 29.
Two overs later, Vandersay bagged Finch too, with the Australian captain edging the spinner to a diving Dhananjaya de Silva at slip having made 62 off 85.
Head and Carey added 72 runs before de Silva trapped Carey leg-before on the front pad trying to sweep, having made a quick-fire 49 off 52 deliveries.
Glenn Maxwell did some damage, smashing 33 off 18 before giving Vandersay his third wicket, miscueing the spinner into the hands of Wellalage scurrying back from midwicket.
But Head stayed firm, reaching his half-century and smashing Wellalage for three sixes in the penultimate over and ending 70 not out off 65 deliveries, with Cameron Green unbeaten on 15.
Vandersay ended with figures of 3 for 49.