Australia have wrapped up the T20 series against Sri Lanka with a six-wicket win at Manuka Oval on Tuesday.
In a match in which they were rarely threatened, three wickets from Kane Richardson restricted Sri Lanka to 6-121, a target the Aussies cruised past thanks to a 50-run partnership between Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell.
The win gives Australia a 3-0 series lead ahead of the final two games in Melbourne.
An explosive Maxwell made merry with the bat, clubbing two sixes in his 39 off 25 balls, with a monstrous switch-hit the highlight of the chase.
Finch, not opening the batting for just the ninth time in his 86-match T20I career, played patiently for his 35 off 36 balls.
Ben McDermott fell in the first ball of the innings, nicking spinner Maheesh Theekshana to slip, while makeshift opener Ashton Agar made 13 before he was out lbw.
After Maxwell holed out to deep mid-wicket, Josh Inglis continued his fine form making 21 not out, helping Australia seal the win with 19 balls remaining.
Theekshana was clearly Sri Lanka’s best with the ball, taking 3-24 off four overs.
Sri Lanka lost paceman Nuwan Thushara after just seven balls of his spell with a side injury.
Earlier, stifling bowling limited Sri Lanka to 6-121, at one stage denying the hapless visitors a boundary for six straight overs.
An unbeaten 39 from captain Dasun Shanaka was their most telling contribution, and Pathum Nissanka chipped in with 16 before a staggering diving catch from Daniel Sams saw him dismissed.
Richardson had the best figures of 3-21, while Agar took 1-14 from his four overs.
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Who gives a toss. Where's my bl0ody one dayers?!? I would have preferred an Australia V Australia A series rather than this irritation.
Gee
Roar Rookie
Starcs last 3 T20I match figures, 12-0-135-0, & in this match bowled one of the worst balls in international cricket history. But is one of Captain Back Stabbers best mates so Mr Pie Shop will keep getting picked :thumbdown:
Peter
Roar Rookie
There’s plenty of time in the series for Sri Lanka to come back isn’t there ? This is after all a 53 game series isn’t it ? Certainly feels like it. Like Cricket Australia I too have wiped my hands of the once great game of cricket. I should have used Dettol but at least my hands are clean which is more than can be said for Cricket Australia.