In a nutshell: DRS in the spotlight again

The rapid reaction: Sri Lanka finally survive an opening spell from Mitchell Starc, but it was all downhill from there as David Warner’s breakthrough century steered Australia home to a comfortable victory in Kandy and a 4-1 series triumph.

The score: Sri Lanka 195 off 40.2 overs (Starc 3-40) defeated by Australia 5-199 off 43 overs (Warner 106, Dilruwan 3-51) in the fourth ODI at Pallekele Stadium.

The talking point: The debate surrounding the Decision Review System is seemingly one that won’t go away with the technology back in the spotlight again last night following the dismissal of Kusal Perera. Kusal was given out trapped in front by the part-time off-spin of Travis Head, but threw up the ‘T’ sign quicker than you can say Tillakaratne in the belief that the ball hit bat before collecting pad. A lengthy review followed, but without the availability of HotSpot or snicko, third umpire Michael Gough couldn’t bring himself to overturn the on-field decision based on the evidence presented to him. The dismissal stood and the Sri Lankan collapse continued.

The moment: David Warner’s starring role wasn’t without some luck after a close call went his way when on 22. Australia were 2-44 and still a further 152 runs away from victory when Warner attempted to paddle Sachith Pathirana’s first delivery of the 14th over down the leg side, only for it to fall safely into the hands of leg slip. An appeal from the home side followed, but Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal opted not to send the review upstairs. It proved costly.

The hero: It’s been a tough tour for Australia’s superstar opener, but Warner capped off his maiden series as captain with a match-winning hundred to lead his side to their third win from as many matches with the left-hander at the helm. Surprisingly, Warner’s knock of 106 from 126 balls was the first ODI ton by an Australian in Sri Lanka and came via a more patient knock to what fans have become accustomed to seeing from the 29-year-old. Warner brought up his half century from 72 deliveries – the slowest of his 79-match ODI career – and maintained the necessary tempo throughout the chase before falling to Dhananjaya de Silva with just seven runs required for victory.

The victim: However, it wasn’t all positive news out of the Australian camp with Warner’s usual opener, Aaron Finch, going down with injury in Sri Lanka’s innings. The right-handed opener was forced from the field during the 28th over when attempting to catch an edge from Kusal Perera in the cordon and was unable to return. X-rays later confirmed a fractured right index finger, ruling him out of this week’s two Twenty20s along with fellow batsman Chris Lynn, who suffered another dislocation of his left shoulder in a fielding drill before the ODI side walked out at Pallekele Stadium. Finch’s Victorian teammate Matthew Wade took his place at the top of the order.

The start: Australia pace supremo Mitchell Starc has tormented Sri Lanka’s various opening batsmen throughout the Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka, to the point where the home side’s 10 opening partnerships prior to the final ODI actually tallied up to a measly 49 runs. That certainly wasn’t the case yesterday as new-ball duo Starc and John Hastings struggled to make the early inroads with the brand new Kookaburra balls. Dhananjaya and Danushka Gunathilaka demonstrated some semblance of positive intent to the tune of 73 runs in the first 14 overs before allrounder James Faulkner struck the first blow.

The observation: Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars captain Meg Lanning is famous for her misfortune at coin tosses, and fellow national skipper David Warner is following her lead. Australia’s temporary leader once again went with his favoured heads option for the third match in the row and - unsurprisingly to the coin toss experts among us, tails didn’t fail. All eyes will be on the skipper come 6:30pm local time on Tuesday back at Pallekele to see if he changes strategy or sticks with his favourite method.

The wash-up: The World Champions flexed their muscle with an emphatic display throughout the one-day campaign, but no both teams must adjust yet again as the series enters the T20 stage on Tuesday night. Injury has forced Australia to add Wade and Player-of-the-Series George Bailey to the squad, while Sri Lanka will aim to return to the winner’s list before the series comes to a close in the nation’s capital on Friday.