Sri Lanka started off with some intent, looking to make use of the massive square boundaries to pinch the extra runs. It looked like it would be perfect start to the innings, after being put in to bat, before Danushka Gunathilake fell to another loose shot off Ashton Agar.
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The weight of the batting was on Pathum Nissanka’s shoulders once again, but he received little support on the other end. Kusal Mendis looked promising in his knock of 27 but was brilliantly run-out with a direct hit from the deep by Glen Maxwell – the dismissal proved o be the turning point of the innings, as the pair were just getting going.
Asalanka looked uncomfortable once again, but put on a steady 34 alongside Nissanka to give Sri Lanka a decent platform to launch from in the last 5 overs.
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However, an incredible collapse saw Sri Lanka loose 6 wickets for 12 runs from the 16th over to the end of the 19th, with all hopes of a competitive target out the window. Chamika Karunaratne and Jefferey Vandersay managed 17 off the last over to push the total up 139, but it was never going to be enough, particularly with Sri Lanka missing 3 of their 1st choice bowlers.
The chase from the home side was tense, with Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara piling on the pressure in the early half of the innings. However, Jefferey Vandersay’s introduction into the attack saw Sri Lanka’s chances melt away as the leg-spinner just couldn’t find his length, going for 14 and then 13 off his 1st two overs.
The positives were once again the bowling of Theekshana and Kumar, who was coming into the side after some time on the sidelines.
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The final T20I between the sides is set to be played at the same venue on Sunday, 20th February.
Result
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | st Matthew Wade b Adam Zampa | 46 | 39 | 1 | 0 | 117.95 |
| Dhanushka Gunathilake | c Aaron Finch b Ashton Agar | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 999.99 |
| Kamindu Mendis | run out (Glenn Maxwell) | 27 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 128.57 |
| Charith Asalanka | c Josh Inglis b Jhye Richardson | 22 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 115.79 |
| Dinesh Chandimal | c Aaron Finch b Jhye Richardson | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Dasun Shanaka | c Ashton Agar b Jhye Richardson | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
| Chamika Karunaratne | not out | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Dushmantha Chameera | b Jhye Richardson | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | run out (Matthew Wade) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Jeffery Vandersay | not out | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 166.67 |
| Extras | 1 (b 0 , lb 0 , nb 0, w 1, pen 0) |
| Total | 139/8 (20 Overs, RR: 6.95) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Sams | 2 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 7.00 | |
| Jhye Richardson | 4 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 5.00 | |
| Kane Richardson | 4 | 0 | 44 | 2 | 11.00 | |
| Glenn Maxwell | 2 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 10.50 | |
| Ashton Agar | 4 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 3.50 | |
| Adam Zampa | 4 | 0 | 26 | 1 | 6.50 | |
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashton Agar | c Kusal Mendis b Lahiru Kumara | 26 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 83.87 |
| Ben McDermott | c & b | 9 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 90.00 |
| Aaron Finch | c & b | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Glenn Maxwell | not out | 48 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 123.08 |
| Josh Inglis | c & b | 40 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Marcus Stoinis | not out | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Extras | 10 (b 0 , lb 3 , nb 0, w 7, pen 0) |
| Total | 143/4 (18.1 Overs, RR: 7.87) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maheesh Theekshana | 4 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 5.00 | |
| Lahiru Kumara | 4 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 5.50 | |
| Dushmantha Chameera | 4 | 0 | 33 | 1 | 8.25 | |
| Chamika Karunaratne | 2.1 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 10.48 | |
| Jeffery Vandersay | 4 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 10.75 | |
