Welcome to the highlights of Sri Lanka vs Australia - The final match of the 1996 Singer World Series quadrangular One-Day International cricket tournament between Sri Lanka and Australia was played at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo on September 07, 1996.
Match Overview:
Romesh Kaluwitharana's quick-fire half-century and A blazing unbeaten 75 by Aravinda de Silva before Upul Chandana's four-wickets, Kumar Dharmasena and Chaminda Vaas' each two wickets helped to Sri Lanka comfortable 50-run victory over Australia and clinch the title in a 35-over-a-side final encounter of a Singer World Series.
Match Stats:
- India won
Match Report:
Sri Lanka proved themselves worthy World Cup winners with a magnificent all-round performance to beat Australia in the Singer World Series final.
Sri Lanka scored 234 for three then dismissed Australia -- their victims in the World Cup final in March -- for 184.
Once again, Aravinda de Silva was Australia's nemesis. He struck an undefeated 75 off 64 balls to take both the "man-of-the-match" and "player-of-the-series" awards.
De Silva s blazing innings enabled Sri Lanka to set Australia an asking rate of 6.71 runs per over. The task proved beyond them as they slumped to 48 for three.
Only Steve Waugh with a determined 55 off 53 balls and Stuart Law with 31 made any worthwhile contributions to the Australian total.
Leg-spinner Upul Chandana wrapped up the Australian innings with a spell of four for 35 in six overs.
Roshan Mahanama took a superb one-handed running catch at long-on to send back last man Glen McGrath for a duck.
But no-one could deprive de Silva of his match award. It was largely due to his spectacular batting that Sri Lanka were able to set Australia such an imposing total.
De Silva finished the tournament with an aggregate of 334 runs without being dismissed once in the four matches. He hit three sixes and two fours in his latest effort.
Earlier, Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana set the tone for the Sri Lanka innings by scoring 42 for the first wicket off 28 balls. They made 27 and 58 respectively.
De Silva and skipper Arjuna Ranatunga finished the innings off in style with an unfinished partnership of 103 off 87 balls.
In-Depth Match Highlights:
Sri Lanka scored 234-3 in the allotted 35 overs - match reduced from 50 to 35-overs per a side - match delayed by exactly 2 hours of a play due to a soaked ground - with top scorer by Aravinda de Silva blasted a unbeaten 75 off 64-balls.
Romesh Kaluwitharana struck 58 off 45-balls including 5-fours with strike rate of 128.88, Arjuna Ranatunga hit a unbeaten 39 off 40-balls included one-six & a four.
Asanka Gurusinha scored 29 off 46-balls including a boundary and Sanath Jayasuriya hit 27 off 20-balls contained 5-fours with strike rate of 135.
Australia best bowler by Glenn McGrath took 2-wickets and one for Darren Lehmann.
Australia bowled out for 184 in 33 overs with top scorer by Steve Waugh struck 55 off 53-balls including 2-fours & a six.
Stuart Law cracked a 31 off 37-balls including 2-fours, Ian Healy scored 20 off 19-balls without a boundary.
Ricky Ponting struck 17 off 26-balls including 2-fours and Darren Lehmann hit 15 off 12-balls contained two-fours with strike rate of 125.
Sri Lanka best bowler by Upul Chandana claimed a 4-wickets for 35-runs in 6-overs, Chaminda Vaas, Kumar Dharmasena both took 2-wickets and one for Muttiah Muralitharan.
Aravinda de Silva named Player of the match for his blazing unbeaten 75 off 64-balls including 3-sixes & 2-fours with strike rate of 117.18.
Aravinda de Silva earned player of the series for contributing 334 runs in the tournament.
: