Ricky Ponting hits unbeaten 90 in Australia cruise against Sri Lanka - The Guardian

Ricky Ponting scored an unbeaten 90 as Australia cruised to an eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second one-day international in Hambantota.

The former captain shared in stands of 94 with Shane Watson and an unbroken 107 with current captain Michael Clarke, who finished unbeaten on 58, as the tourists reached their victory target of 209 with 11.4 overs to spare, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

The Australia innings was in contrast to that of their hosts, who were bowled out for 208 with only Kumar Sangakkara passing 50.

Tillakaratne Dilshan (24) was bowled all ends up by Brett Lee after putting on 37 with fellow opener Upul Tharanga, who followed soon after caught behind off Mitchell Johnson for 13.

Sri Lanka were in trouble at 77 for four when Mahela Jayawardene and Dinesh Chandimal fell in quick succession, but Sangakkara combined with Angelo Mathews to add 63 for the fifth wicket.

The partnership contained just one four but was highlighted by a beautiful straight six by Sangakkara off Xavier Doherty. However, when Sangakkara was caught at long on off a David Hussey full toss for 52 Sri Lanka were again rocking and a rash of wickets saw them slip to 159 for seven.

Nuwan Kulasekara swiped an unbeaten 33 off 29 balls to ensure his side at least passed the 200 mark, while Doug Bollinger led the Australian attack with three for 35.

Kulasekara had Brad Haddin caught behind for seven, well taken by Sangakkara standing up, to get the Australia innings off to a shaky start but there were few alarms for the tourists thereafter.

Ponting pulled Kulasekara for six, then Watson plundered 14 off three balls in one Rangana Herath over. When Watson perished, comprehensively bowled by Lasith Malinga for 43, Ponting simply continued on his way alongside Clarke.

Clarke got into his stride by driving Herath for six, then claimed another maximum with an inside-out drive off Dilshan, though he had a moment of luck when he was dropped by Sangakkara next ball.

By that stage, though, Australia were in cruise control, and a series of boundaries took Clarke past 50, denying Ponting any chance of a century but taking his team to a fifth straight ODI win.