Ajantha Mendis became the first bowler to bag six wickets in a Twenty20 international as Sri Lanka clinched the series 2-0 against Australia with an eight-run win in the second match Monday. The unorthodox spinner finished with 6-16 off four overs as Australia lost their way after an explosive start provided by Shane Watson, who hammered a 24-ball 57 with five sixes and six fours. Australia, who lost the first match by 35 runs, were eventually restricted to 149-9, after the hosts made 157 at the Pallekele International Stadium.
Sri Lanka were indebted to opener Mahela Jayawardene (86 off 63 balls) for posting a competitive total before Mendis ended Australia’s early flourish.
Angelo Mathews also caught the eye for Sri Lanka with his key role in David Warner’s dismissal off Mendis as he held a superb catch in the deep, but was about to step over the boundary line before relaying the ball to Jayawardene.
Watson dominated a 71-run stand for the opening wicket with Warner, but his dismissal in the sixth over triggered a collapse which saw Australia lose four wickets in the space of four runs.
Sri Lanka were earlier strongly placed at 121-3 after 14 overs before paceman John Hastings rallied his team to eventually finish with 3-14 off four tight overs.
Fast bowler Brett Lee was the other main wicket-taker with 3-39, including two wickets in the last over.
Jayawardene dominated Australia’s attack with exciting strokeplay, smashing one six and 12 fours in his sixth half-century in Twenty20 internationals. He survived on 82 when he was caught off a Lee full-toss in the last over, but it was ruled a no-ball as it was above the waist. He fell in the same over, caught in the deep going for a big shot.
