Fast bowler Lasith Malinga took a record third hat-trick as Sri Lanka secured a consolation four-wicket victory over Australia in the fifth and final one day international on Monday.
Malinga removed Mitchell Johnson, John Hastings and Xavier Doherty to become the first bowler to take three hat-tricks in one-dayers as Sri Lanka dismissed Australia for 211 before achieving the target with three overs to spare.
Paceman James Pattinson and left-arm spinner Doherty bagged two wickets each for Australia, who clinched the series 3-2.
“We performed well today and the bowlers put in a fantastic effort,” said Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan.
“The middle order then did the job for us. Chamara Silva batted really well and his partnership with [Mahela] Jayawardene set up the win.”
Suffering batting lineup
Australia, who had an unbeatable 3-1 lead before the match, were comfortably placed at 210-5 before losing their last five wickets for just one run, with Malinga doing the maximum damage to finish with 3-35 off eight overs.
Man-of-the-match Malinga, known for bowling accurate yorkers with a slinging action, had previously taken hat-tricks in two World Cups — against South Africa in 2007 and Kenya in 2011.
Sri Lanka’s batsmen stuttered to 33-3 at the start of their innings with Pattinson taking two wickets in his opening spell, but Jayawardene (71) and Silva (63) put on 111 for the fourth wicket to prop up the innings.
Silva, who hit one six and eight fours in his 71-ball knock, was dismissed just before rain stopped play but Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews (26) ensured win when the game resumed with a 51-run stand for the fifth wicket.
Malinga was earlier superbly supported by unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis (3-49) and seamer Shaminda Eranga (2-45).
“It was disappointing how today went, but there is still a long way to go,” said Australia skipper Michael Clarke, who was named man of the series.
“We want to win every game we play and we have got some work to do in preparation for the Tests. The Test guys have been here for a week and working hard.”
Caught out
Opener Shane Watson top-scored for Australia with an 84-ball 56, which contained one six and six fours. Clarke (47), David Hussey (46) and Ricky Ponting (31) were the other main scorers.
Australia lost opener Shaun Marsh in the second over after being put in to bat, but Watson steadied the innings with two useful stands.
Watson added 67 for the second wicket with Ponting, and 56 for the next with Clarke before falling in the 28th over, caught at deep mid-wicket off Mendis.
Clarke looked set to complete his third half-century of the series before being caught behind off Eranga.
Sri Lanka and Australia will now play a three-Test series, starting in Galle on August 31. — AFP