Kusal Mendis secures run-chase victory as Sri Lanka avoid whitewash
A stand of 83 with captain Dasun Shanaka decided the game after Australia struggled in both powerplays
A stand of 83 with captain Dasun Shanaka decided the game after Australia struggled in both powerplays
Scorer: Binoy George | Commentator: Andrew McGlashan
Sri Lanka win by five wickets and avoid the whitewash. They've played very well today and managed to put both sides of their game together. A super innings from Kusal Mendis. Australia not at their best today. They struggled with the bat in the first half of their innings and while they defended hard it wasn't quite enough runs. Sri Lanka have shown enough in this series to give them hope going into the World Cup in October. Australia tried a few things during the series, not sure how many they will stick with through the year. The presentations are coming up shortly.
Randunu: "That quick 20 from Asalanka set the momentum for SL. And what a knock from Mendis."
Gaja: "It is time for Sri Lanka to look beyond Chandimal. Not to offend, but whenever Chandimal is out of the side, the team looks like a completely different side. Good Luck for Indian Series."
Udam: "Really really good time to have a confidence booster for mendis. This is a good end to this tour and specially before indian tour. Now we can see some more competition."
Jameel Hassan : "You win when you attack in Powerplay and SL did it today could have been 2/3 if they applied this formula in other matches too."
Kusal Mendis is player of the match: "Today was a very good game. Dasun Shanaka batted really well. Think we have played well every game."
Glenn Maxwell is player of the series. "It was a really good performance, everyone chipped in. We saw the emergence of Josh Inglis and how spinners did the job they have for a long period of time. We were able to use a bunch of players in different situations."
Dasun Shanaka "The boys played really well throughout the series, made a statement that when we come for the World Cup we'll be prepared. [Kusal] has been an outstanding player throughout. We should keep on giving opportunities to the right players. I'd like to thank all the Sri Lankans who supported us. See you soon in the World Cup.
Aaron Finch "We were probably outplayed in the powerplay with bat and ball. That was the difference. Probably not quite enough in the end. Think we've got a lot of answers. Been a fantastic series for players individually. Sri Lanka are a very dangerous side and to win five games is tough in fickle format. The flexibility of Josh Inglis was fantastic, showed his game is well and truly suited to international, and the depth in our bowling continues to grow. The way Ash Agar came into the side, he's bowled the house down."
Well, with that, we'll bring the curtain down on Australia's home international summer. There's been some terrific cricket throughout and it's been great to bring it to you. We'll be back with much more very soon, including Australia's tour to Pakistan, Sri Lanka's series against India and the Women's ODI World Cup to name just a few. Until then, from Gnasher and Madushka, it's goodbye and thanks for joining us.
Still, two balls to get one run. They should be okay...Richardson can't finish the over. He's leaving the field. Sams to bowl. All the fielders inside the circle
MD Shanaka b KW Richardson 35 (51m 31b 0x4 2x6) SR: 112.90
Plenty for the Sri Lanka supporters to cheer about
Now Kane Richardson grabbing his left leg
So it's 9 needed off the last over. Kane Richardson to bowl
Mendis is limping a bit
A stand of 83 with captain Dasun Shanaka decided the game after Australia struggled in both powerplays
'I'm confident in that and when the big game comes Finch and Warner will nail it'
Sri Lanka have now lost their last eight T20Is in Australia. They had also been whitewashed 3-0 in 2019
His bowling is impeccable but his batting doesn't really seem to have a place in the XI