Australia might have posted a big total in the first of the three test of the Commonwealth Bank Series against Sri Lanka but the Sri Lankan players almost managed to get there, and would have pulled off an unlikely win had it not been for a last minute collapse.
The confidence that this chase had put in the Lankan players was evident by the way they approached the second match against The Aussies, who are seemingly always victorious in their own Backyard.
Having won the toss, Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene asked the Australians to bat first, restricting them to a mere 271 at the end of 50 overs.
And what followed next could be summed up better by the weather department when they describe a storm or a hurricane because Tillakaratne Dilshan absolutely mauled the Australian bowlers to take his side to victory in the second final and level the series.
Dilshan scored a superb 106 not out in a blitzkrieg that completely blew away the famed Australian fast bowling attack and he was given ample support in the chase by Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene, who fell for 80 after opening the innings with Dilshan.
The two of them got The Lions off to a thunderous start, scoring 179 runs off just 165 balls before the wicket of Jayawardene. In spite of losing his partner in crime, Dilshan showed no signs of slowing down and led the team to a well deserved victory with as many as 34 balls to spare.
This victory sets the tone for the third and final match of the series and the way things have panned out in the final, Sri Lanka have the momentum on their side and could manage a shock victory over the Baggie Greens on their own turf. The latest online cricket betting still makes Australai slim favourites, but in this form, anything can happen!