Australia vs Sri Lanka: Third T20, international cricket live scores, blog

Australia will be out to try and complete a white-wash in their three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka when the sides head to Melbourne on Friday to round out the series. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the match from 7:10pm (AEDT).

The home side have been completely and utterly dominant in the opening two games of the series, blasting past the Sri Lankans in comprehensive fashion at both the Adelaide Oval and Gabba.

Really, the writing was on the wall for the tourists when they fell to the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra during their warm-up tour match, and they haven’t been able to pick up their performance since.

Starts with the bat haven’t been translated into anything, and their work with the ball, outside of Lasith Malinga and the very odd good over of spin, has been horrendous.

Heading to a likely flat Melbourne wicket isn’t going to help them in that cause either, and while they will be keen to pick up a win before heading home, they face an uphill battle to do so and, mentally at least, will likely be already on the plane back home and looking ahead to other challenges.

That is the complete opposite of where the Australian mental state should be, with a huge summer of cricket ahead, and the side on a roll.

David Warner is yet to be dismissed in this series, Steve Smith looked a million bucks in his first hit during a nine-wicket win in Brisbane on Wednesday, and the bowlers, spinners included, are firing on all cylinders.

What’s even more important for the Aussies is their upcoming three-match T20 series against Pakistan, who are the best T20 team in the world.

That, frankly, is going to be a much larger challenge than this series has provided, and with a home World Cup on the horizon, Australia need to be taking as much momentum into that series as possible with the aim of making a statement about their short form prospects during it.

The Aussie camp has been hit during the week though, with the withdrawal of Glenn Maxwell for personal reasons. He is replaced by D’Arcy Short, although it may well be Ben McDermott who actually comes into the middle order, given he has been with the side and should be more suited to the role.

Prediction
Australia should do it in another canter and head into what will be a challenging series against Pakistan full of confidence and momentum.

Be sure to join us here on The Roar from 7:10pm (AEDT) on Friday evening for live coverage of this third T20 between Australia and Sri Lanka.

Game information

First ball: 7:10pm (AEDT)
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
TV: Fox Cricket
Online: Kayo Sports, Cricket Australia Live App
Betting: Australia $1.20, Sri Lanka $4.50
Umpire: Gerard Abood, Paul Wilson

Australia squad
Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, David Warner, Adam Zampa

Sri Lanka squad
Lasith Malinga (c), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dasun Shanaka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Oshada Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha