Hughes ton leads Australia to 247-5 in 5th and final ODI against Sri Lanka

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOBART, Australia — Phil Hughes smashed an unbeaten century to lead Australia to 247-5 against Sri Lanka on Wednesday as the hosts sought to square the five-match limited-overs series.

Sri Lanka’s bowling attack looked on target for another dominant performance when opener David Warner was bowled for 10 by Tillakaratne Dilshan in the sixth over after Australia was sent in to bat in the fifth and final game. Game 4 was washed out.

George Bailey — standing in as captain for the injured Michael Clarke — was caught and bowled by Thisara Perera to leave Australia at 97-3, before Hughes (138) combined with David Hussey for a 98-run fourth-wicket partnership that ensured a competitive total.

Hughes hit 13 boundaries and a six in a commanding performance that was helped along by a little luck in the 21st over when he edged an Angelo Mathews delivery onto his stumps, but the bails remained intact.

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, sharing the opening duties with Warner, timed a quickfire 23 off 28 balls with four boundaries before being trapped lbw by Nuwan Kulasekara.

Hussey was run out with a direct throw by bowler Perera to break up his valuable partnership with Hughes and allrounder Glenn Maxwell added just 9 before being caught by Lahiru Thirimanne at extra-cover off Lasith Malinga.

Sri Lanka’s bowling was tidy more than penetrating, with Dilshan returning best figures of 1-22.

02:23ET 23-01-13