The Perera partnership
Since the last match, in which four Pereras played, Sri Lanka's selectors performed a Pererectomy - cutting out Thisara from the squad completely, and removing Angelo from the XI. The remaining Pereras did still manage one excellent moment of synergy in this match. A Dilruwan delivery took Matthew Wade's glove on its way to keeper Kusal. Umpire Aleem Dar ruled not out originally, but Sri Lanka reviewed upon Kusal's insistence, and the first dent in Australia's chase was made. On the scorecard, Wade's dismissal read caught MDKJ Perera bowled MDK Perera.
The futile swing
It is sometimes said tailenders are not good enough to nick the best quicks. In this match, Suranga Lakmal was barely good enough to aim his bat swing in the correct direction. His first ball from Starc was full and fast, and caused Lakmal to back away and play a panicked drive. The ball missed bat by roughly one light year, but, happily for Starc, found the base of the stumps.
The latest chapter in a year-long misfortune
Kusal Perera has been unlucky in 2016. He had been incorrectly suspended from cricket for five months. He has been bandied about in the batting order since his return. He had rough decisions go against him in the Tests, and, in Pallekele, even a review failed to prevent his dismissal. Kusal had got forward to defend a Travis Head delivery in the 31st over, but was given out when ball struck pad. He reviewed that decision, and although appeared to have inside-edged the ball onto pad, nevertheless had the original decision upheld.
The stroke
Dhananjaya de Silva has been perhaps the most graceful batsman on show through the series, and though he only hit 34 on Sunday, he delivered the match's most delectable shot. Having already hit Mitchell Starc through point in the fifth over, de Silva leaned into a wristy onside flick when the bowler overcorrected and went at his stumps. Fielding at midwicket, Adam Zampa let the ball slip through his fingers, conceding the boundary that the shot perhaps deserved.