David Warner praises Australia's bowlers

Omnisports

August 31, 2016 10:18 AM

Australia's bowlers earned praise from stand-in skipper David Warner following the five-wicket ODI win over Sri Lanka on Sunday..

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David Warner's excellent 106 helped Australia to a five-wicket rout of Sri Lanka in their final one-day international, but the stand-in skipper says the praise for victory lies with the bowling attack.

Australia had an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series before Sunday's contest in Pallekele and Warner put in a man-of-the-match performance as his 132-run third-wicket stand with George Bailey helped the tourists easily chase down a target of 196.

Warner's knock was the highest by an Aussie in an ODI in Sri Lanka, but he credited his bowlers as the likes of Mitchell Starc (3-40), Travis Head (2-22) and Adam Zampa (2-43) tore through the home side's order.

"It's always good to get a milestone, but credit to our bowlers for setting the tone," he said at the post-match presentation.

"It wasn't the ideal start with the ball, it was a challenge to face that new ball. Partnerships were key for us, we've done that well in this series.

"Well done to George Bailey, he's been our rock, and allowed our batters to bat around him."

Bailey took home the man of the series accolade and paid tribute to Warner's knock, as well as hailing the team's response to a 3-0 whitewash in the Tests.

"To finish the series 4-1 is satisfying," he added. "Just watching the Tests, we knew we have to come to the ODIs with different plans.

"It was always going to be challenging to hit the ball straight. 220-230 has been a really good score in this series. A guy like Davey Warner today, once he got going, was really good."

Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal was once again left to rue his side's batting as they collapsed from 73-0.

"We're disappointed with the way we have batted through the series. We got a good start but couldn't get to the 260, 270 mark," he said.

"They have to learn, if you get a good start you have to bat longer and make it easier for the others.

"We'll learn from these mistakes and come back stronger. One series you are going to win, other series' you are going to lose."

Omnisports

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