Sri Lanka send India packing

Christian’s hat-trick fails to save Australia from 9-run loss.

MELBOURNE: Sri Lanka beat Australia by nine runs despite a Dan Christian hat-trick in a dramatic One-Day International (ODI) to book their place in the finals of the Tri-Nation Series against the hosts and send India home.       

India needed their sub-continental rivals to lose the last round-robin clash to keep their tour alive but Sri Lanka made 238 all out from their 50 overs before dismissing Australia for 229.

Australia went into the final over of the match needing 10 runs for victory but Nuwan Kulasekera had David Hussey caught for 74 with the first ball to spark emotional celebrations among the Sri Lankans.

All rounder Christian had earlier taken the 31st hat-trick in ODIs – just the fourth by an Australian – with the wickets of Thisara Perera, Sachithra Senanayake and Kulasekera in Sri Lanka’s 44th over. The 28-year-old, who made his international debut earlier this month, had Perera caught for five at deep midwicket by Mike Hussey and then trapped Senanayake and Kulasekera leg-before to prompt wild scenes from teammates.

Earlier, Sri Lanka had recovered from a faltering start when Kumar Sangakkara (64) and Dinesh Chandimal (75) put on 123 for the third wicket. James Pattinson (four for 51) removed both and later dismissed Lahiru Thirimanne (51) to celebrate his return to international cricket as Sri Lanka stumbled in the last 10 overs.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2012.