John Hastings claims six wickets as Australia clinch ODI series with six-wicket win over Sri Lanka

Australian cricketers George Bailey, left, and Matthew Wade leave the ground with the stumps after victory in the fourth one-day international against Sri Lanka at The Rangiri Dambulla International CShow more

DAMBULLA // John Hastings claimed six wickets before Aaron Finch and George Bailey’s attacking half-centuries powered Australia to a series clinching six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the fourth one-day international in Dambulla on Wednesday.

Australia rode on Finch’s 19-ball 55 and an unbeaten 90 from Bailey to chase down 213 in 31 overs and take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.

Earlier Hastings’s career-best bowling figures of 6-45 helped bowl out Sri Lanka for 212 after electing to bat first despite Dhananjaya de Silva’s fighting 76.

In reply, Finch’s opening blitz gave Australia a rocket start against a Sri Lankan attack that missed captain Angelo Mathews’s medium pace after the all-rounder hurt his calf while batting.

Finch, who equalled the record for the fastest fifty – in 18 balls – by an Australian, struck eight fours and three sixes as he carted the Sri Lankan spinners to all parts of the ground.

Left-arm spinner Sachith Pathirana’s triple strike in the space of five deliveries checked the visitors’ surge but only for a brief while.

Pathirana got the wickets of danger man Finch and Usman Khawaja for nought in his opening over of the innings. He then bowled captain David Warner for 19 on the first ball of his next over.

Bailey, who registered his 21st ODI fifty, carried the momentum forward as he anchored Australia’s chase with his 85-ball knock, laced with 11 fours and a six.

“Tough to muscle your way out of a form slump. Couldn’t be happier for George [Bailey], has had to play out of his skin. He’s been innovative, he’s been our backbone and rock in the middle,” Warner said.

Bailey got the perfect partner in Travis Head, who scored 40, as the duo put on 100 runs for the fourth wicket.

Head was trapped lbw off Dilruwan Perera but Matthew Wade, who remained unbeaten on eight, joined Bailey at the crease to hit the winning six.

The victory comes as a welcome relief for the visiting side after they suffered their first series whitewash against Sri Lanka in the three Test matches.

“Very very pleasing. Thrilled to win the series, hard-fought effort. Conditions here are quite challenging,” said Warner, who was appointed captain after the second ODI to give Steve Smith some rest.

The fifth and final match of the series is scheduled on September 4 in Pallekele.

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