Tri-Nation Series: Australia clinch the final battle

McKay bowls hosts to 16-run win in decider against Sri Lanka.

ADELAIDE:

Paceman Clint McKay bowled Australia to a 16-run victory over Sri Lanka to capture the One-Day International Tri-Nation Series title in the decisive final at the Adelaide Oval.

Man-of-the-match McKay claimed five for 28 to go with his 32-ball 28 in Australia’s innings, proving to be the difference between the hosts and the World Cup finalists.

It looked as though Australia’s total would not be enough when they were dismissed for 231 with three balls left of their 50 overs.

But inspired bowling by McKay, backed by veteran paceman Brett Lee’s three wickets, squeezed the home side across the line.

“We had to bowl and field very well and we certainly did that,” said winning captain Shane Watson. “That’s a serious performance to be able to defend 231 on that wicket, so I am very proud of all the boys.

“McKay was absolutely brilliant. It’s great to see someone like him bowl so well.”

Australia head to the West Indies today buoyed by their victory, which came on top of a 4-0 thumping of India in the Test series to complete an arduous international season at home.

McKay leads Sri Lanka’s rout

The fast-bowler helped rescue Australia following a middle-batting collapse that ruined hopes of a big total after Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene sent the home side into bat.

The Victorian paceman, mixing it up with deceptive slower deliveries out of the back of his hand, snared his best ODI figures to help his team win the decider after the three-match final was level 1-1.

Upul Tharanga, batting at number six, hit a resilient 71 off 122 balls before he was caught behind off stand-in captain Watson in the 46th over.

Jayawardene pleased with effort

The Sri Lanka skipper, who saw his team almost cross the finish line in the first final before registering a comfortable win in the second, was satisfied with the performance.

“I thought we did really well in the field,” said Jayawardene. “It was a good total to chase.

“The important thing was to make sure that we had a couple of partnerships up front but we lost three, four wickets very quickly and it was a tough task for the rest of the boys to try and win through.

“They almost did and they showed a lot of character, but the Australians had the upper hand and deserved to win.”

Watson took over the captaincy after Michael Clarke was ruled out with an injured left hamstring, which will also see him miss Australia’s ODI series against the West Indies next week.

Earlier, opening batsman Matthew Wade topscored for Australia with 49 off 74 deliveries and batting partner David Warner hit 48 off 45.

M Jayawardene

“The important thing was to make sure that we had a couple of partnerships up front but we lost three, four wickets very quickly and it was a tough task for the rest of the boys. Australia had the upper hand and deserved to win.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2012.