Australia beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in the fifth ODI, at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Set to chase 161, Australia were 50/4 at one stage, but eventually got there in the 40th over. Despite the result, Sri Lanka won the series 3-2.
Maheesh Theekshana (2-26) and Dunith Wellalage (3-42) reduced Australia to 14/3 after setting out to defend a modest total. Mitchell Marsh (24) helped see off the new ball, and Australia had lost only four wickets by the time they reached a hundred. However, Wellalage struck again, removing Marnus Labuschagne (31) and Glenn Maxwell (16) in quick succession. Alex Carey (45*) and Cam Green (25*) then saw them through.
Earlier, Josh Hazlewood (2-22) and Pat Cummins (2-22) got quick wickets. With Matthew Kuhnemann (2-26) also joining in, Sri Lanka were reduced to 85/8 in no time. Chamika Karunaratne (75 in 75 balls) then added 58 with Pramod Madushan (15) and a further 17 with Theekshana to give Sri Lanka something to fight for.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka 160 in 43.1 overs (Chamika Karunaratne 75; Josh Hazlewood 2-22, Pat Cummins 2-22) lost to Australia 164/6 in 39.3 overs (Alex Carey 45*; Dunith Wellalage 3-42) by 4 wickets with 69 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Chamika Karunaratne.
Sri Lanka won the series 3-2. Player of the Series: Kusal Mendis.