Haynes, Jonassen see Aussies equal record win streak

Between Rachael Haynes’ maiden international century, debutante Heather Graham’s first international wicket and Jess Jonassen’s 100th ODI wicket, it was a day to remember for the all-conquering Australian women.

On the back of Haynes’ momentous ton, Australia stormed to a record-equalling 17th consecutive victory to win the CommBank ODI series against Sri Lanka with a game still to play.

The 110-run victory equals the longest ever winning streak in the history of women’s ODIs set by the Belinda Clark-led Australian side between 1997 and 1999.

Queenslander Jonassen’s 4-31 saw her become the fourth Australian woman to have 100 ODI wickets to their name.

By reaching the milestone in her 67th ODI in green and gold, Jonassen becomes the second fastest woman to the milestone. Only fellow Australian Cathryn Fitzpatrick, who got there in 64 innings, reached the milestone faster.

In a final flourish for the Aussies, the win also ensures they take an unassailable points lead to win the ICC Women’s Championship trophy for the second time in a row.

It was a magical moment for vice-captain Haynes, whose salute was greeted with cheers from teammates and fans alike at Allan Border Field.

Playing in her 56th ODI – and 117th match for Australia since making her debut in 2009 – Haynes triumphantly raised her bat after punching a four to bring up triple figures from 120 deliveries.

Haynes’ previous high score in ODIs was 89 not out against England in 2017, while back in 2009 she fell agonisingly short of a ton on Test debut when she was dismissed for 98.

Haynes’ masterclass eventually came to an end in the 45th over, dismissed by Sugandika Kumari for a career best 118 from 132 balls.

Defending 282 on a hot day in Brisbane, the Sri Lankan side showed more resistance in the field, as well as the bat than the previous one-dayers, despite falling well short again.

With the dangerous Chamari Athapaththu back in the sheds by the eighth over, the pressure was once again firmly on the Sri Lankan batting unit.

Harshitha Madhavi and Anushka Sanjeewani responded confidently to put on a second-wicket partnership of 64 runs and keep the visitors in the hunt.

However, as she has on numerous occasions this series, allrounder Nicola Carey struck with the crucial breakthrough in the 23rd over to remove Sanjeewani for 36, leaving the visitors in trouble at 2-95.

The task only got tougher for the visitors as Madhavi, looking intent on moving the scoreboard along, fell victim to Tayla Vlaeminck on 39 shortly after.

Aside from a fighting 22 from captain Shashikala Siriwardena, the run-rate quickly skyrocketed out of control for the Sri Lankans, eventually finishing their 50 overs on 9-172.

Earlier in the day, it was once again Haynes and Alyssa Healy combining for a 116-run opening stand to set the tone for a high-scoring innings.

The Sri Lankan bowlers were able to restrict the dynamic opening pair to 0-43 after the first nine overs.

However, Healy made her intentions clear in the 10th, taking 17 runs from Inoka Ranaweera’s over and finding the rope four times on the trot.

Healy brought up her 10th ODI fifty from 44 balls, but was unable to carry on, departing on 69 in the 20th over.

Captain Lanning joined Haynes in the middle in the 20th over with the Australians in a strong position at 1-116.

Together, the two leaders added another 103 runs to Australia’s total before Lanning edged behind to depart for 45.

With Perry, Ashleigh Gardner (8) and Carey’s wickets falling in quick succession towards the back end of the Australian innings, debutant Graham joined Beth Mooney to score her first international runs, finishing on four not out to help the Australians to a final total of 8-282.

Australia XI: Alyssa Healy (wk), Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning (c), Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Nicola Carey, Heather Graham, Jess Jonassen, Georgia Wareham, Tayla Vlaeminck

Sri Lanka XI: Sri Lanka XI: Sashikala Siriwardena, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Harshitha Madavi, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Nilakshi Damayanthi, Dilani Manodara, Ama Kanchana, Udeshika Prabodani, Sugandika Kumari, Achini Kulasuriya, Inoka Ranaweera #AUSvSL

CommBank Series v Sri Lanka

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Erin Burns (T20I only), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Heather Graham, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

Sri Lanka T20I squad: Chamari Atapattu (c), Harshitha Madavi, Shashikala Siriwardena, Anushka Sanjeewani, Hansima Karunaratne, Yashoda Mendis, Nilakshi De Silva, Dilani Manodara, Oshadhi Ranasinghe, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandhika Kumari, Inoshi Fernando, Achini Kulasooriya, Udeshika Probodhani, Ama Kanchana.

First T20I: Australia won by 41 runs

Second T20I: Australia won by 9 wickets

Third T20I: Australia won by 132 runs

First ODI: Australia won by 157 runs

Second ODI:Australia won by 110 runs

Third ODI: October 9, Allan Border Field, Brisbane, 10.10am AEDT

*All ODIs are ICC Women's Championship matches