Losing 7 wickets for 28 runs then Australia's embarrassing loss
Australia's Dramatic Collapse Leads to Record Defeat Against Sri
Lanka
Colombo, February 14, 2025 — In a stunning turn of events, Australia's cricket team suffered a historic defeat against Sri Lanka in the second One Day International (ODI) at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium. Chasing a target of 282, Australia was bowled out for a mere 107 runs in 24.2 overs, marking their lowest ODI total in Asia and resulting in a 174-run loss—their largest margin of defeat against Sri Lanka to date.
The Australian innings began on shaky ground, with early dismissals leaving the team struggling at 3/33. A brief partnership between captain Steve Smith (29) and Josh Inglis (22) offered a glimmer of hope, bringing the score to 3/79. However, the situation rapidly deteriorated as the team lost their final seven wickets for just 28 runs, collapsing from 3/79 to 107 all out. Sri Lankan spinners Dunith Wellalage and Wanindu Hasaranga were instrumental in this downfall, claiming seven wickets between them.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka set a formidable total of 281/4, thanks to a stellar performance by Kusal Mendis, who scored 101 runs. Captain Charith Asalanka contributed an unbeaten 78, further solidifying the team's strong position.
This defeat has raised significant concerns about Australia's readiness for the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the UAE. Critics have pointed to the team's vulnerability against spin bowling and the underperformance of key players. Young batter Jake Fraser-McGurk, in particular, faced criticism for his continued struggles, managing only nine runs in this match.
Reflecting on the loss, captain Steve Smith acknowledged the team's shortcomings, stating, "We have been outplayed in these last two games. We keep moving forward, all credit to Sri Lanka. They played well on these surfaces, and I thought their bowlers did exceptionally well."
As Australia prepares for the Champions Trophy, the team will need to address these issues promptly to remain competitive on the international stage.
Australia Suffers Record ODI Defeat to Sri Lanka.
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