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25 overs Australia 4 for 103 (Warner 50*, Kulasekara 2-19) v Sri Lanka
Australia's batsmen once again found the going hard against the moving, bouncing ball © Getty Images
Though Australia's batsmen surpassed Brisbane's ignominious 74 they have again struggled notably against the moving ball while reaching 4 for 103 against Sri Lanka in the fourth ODI in Sydney.
Taking strike under overcast skies at the SCG after Michael Clarke won the toss, the hosts were confounded once more by the swing of Nuwan Kulasekara and a fast, swerving spell from Lasith Malinga.
George Bailey was guilty of a wasteful stroke against Rangana Herath having battled to make a start, leaving David Warner and Matthew Wade with much to do in the latter half of the innings.
Needing to win the match to keep the series alive, Clarke named a team unchanged from the XI who were reduced to a humiliating 9 for 40 in Brisbane on Friday.
Sri Lanka meanwhile made two changes. In expectation of some extra spin Herath was recalled ahead of Shaminda Eranga, while Dinesh Chandimal was included after recovering from a hamstring strain, taking the place of Upul Tharanga.
Kulasekara rended Australia's batting at the Gabba, and he was to make critical breaks again in Sydney. first he drifted a ball across Phillip Hughes, opening up the left-hander and coaxing an edge through to Chandimal.
Clarke and Warner prospered for a time, Sri Lanka wasting their one review on an optimistic LBW appeal against the latter, but the ball continued to curve and at 50 the captain played around a delivery that moved into him and was pinned in front of the stumps.
David Hussey was set up and knocked down by Malinga, who pushed the batsman back with a series of well-directed short balls then conjured an away swinger that found the edge and was held on the juggle by Lahiru Thirimanne in the slips.
Bailey played down the line at similar deliveries bending away late, and after struggled to score early had started to form a useful stand with Warner, who played with calm, precision and power throughout. However Herath teased out a presumptuous drive by Bailey, and the visitors could feel comfortable with their lot at halfway.
Australia's batsmen once again found the going hard against the moving, bouncing ball © Getty Images
Though Australia's batsmen surpassed Brisbane's ignominious 74 they have again struggled notably against the moving ball while reaching 4 for 103 against Sri Lanka in the fourth ODI in Sydney.
Taking strike under overcast skies at the SCG after Michael Clarke won the toss, the hosts were confounded once more by the swing of Nuwan Kulasekara and a fast, swerving spell from Lasith Malinga.
George Bailey was guilty of a wasteful stroke against Rangana Herath having battled to make a start, leaving David Warner and Matthew Wade with much to do in the latter half of the innings.
Needing to win the match to keep the series alive, Clarke named a team unchanged from the XI who were reduced to a humiliating 9 for 40 in Brisbane on Friday.
Sri Lanka meanwhile made two changes. In expectation of some extra spin Herath was recalled ahead of Shaminda Eranga, while Dinesh Chandimal was included after recovering from a hamstring strain, taking the place of Upul Tharanga.
Kulasekara rended Australia's batting at the Gabba, and he was to make critical breaks again in Sydney. first he drifted a ball across Phillip Hughes, opening up the left-hander and coaxing an edge through to Chandimal.
Clarke and Warner prospered for a time, Sri Lanka wasting their one review on an optimistic LBW appeal against the latter, but the ball continued to curve and at 50 the captain played around a delivery that moved into him and was pinned in front of the stumps.
David Hussey was set up and knocked down by Malinga, who pushed the batsman back with a series of well-directed short balls then conjured an away swinger that found the edge and was held on the juggle by Lahiru Thirimanne in the slips.
Bailey played down the line at similar deliveries bending away late, and after struggled to score early had started to form a useful stand with Warner, who played with calm, precision and power throughout. However Herath teased out a presumptuous drive by Bailey, and the visitors could feel comfortable with their lot at halfway.