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Sri Lanka tour of Australia (2022)

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Schedule confirmed for Dettol men's T20I Series against Sri Lanka

Cricket Australia (CA) today confirms the schedule and venues for the Dettol T20 International (T20I) Series between Australia and Sri Lanka.

The five-match series from February 11-20 will now be played across three venues, the SCG, Manuka Oval and MCG.

The second, third and fourth T20Is have been relocated from Queensland and Adelaide to minimise biosecurity risks by reducing travel across the country.

Nick Hockley, CA CEO, said: “CA will continue to prioritise the health and safety of all players, match officials, staff, fans, broadcasters and the wider community as we navigate the challenges presented by Covid-19.

“We know that fans in South Australia and Queensland will be disappointed to miss out on these matches and we remain committed to bringing international cricket to all states and territories across the country as safely as possible.

“We thank Sri Lanka Cricket for working closely with us to make the series possible and look forward to five entertaining matches.”

Ticket purchasers for all relocated matches will be fully refunded and will be contacted directly by the relevant ticket agent.

Tickets for the relocated matches will go on sale on Friday, 28 January.

Revised Dettol T20 International series schedule:
February 11: Australia v Sri Lanka, Sydney Cricket Ground, 7:10pm AEDT
February 13: Australia v Sri Lanka, Sydney Cricket Ground, 7:10pm AEDT
February 15: Australia v Sri Lanka, Manuka Oval, 7:10pm AEDT
February 18: Australia v Sri Lanka, Melbourne Cricket Ground, 7:10pm AEDT
February 20: Australia v Sri Lanka, Melbourne Cricket Ground, 5:10pm AEDT
 
Australian men's squad for the Dettol T20 Series against Sri Lanka

The National Selection Panel (NSP) has named the following men’s squad for the Dettol T20 International Series against Sri Lanka.

Australia plays Sri Lanka in five Dettol T20 Internationals in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne from February 11-20.

NB: NSP Chair of Selectors George Bailey will be available to discuss the squad at 3.00pm AEDT this afternoon on Zoom: George Bailey

Australian squad for the Dettol T20 International Series against Sri Lanka:

Aaron Finch (VIC/Geelong Cricket Club) (c)
Ashton Agar (WA/University Cricket Club )
Pat Cummins (NSW/Penrith Cricket Club)
Josh Hazlewood (NSW/St George Cricket Club)
Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)
Moises Henriques (NSW/St George Cricket Club)
Josh Inglis (WA/Joondalup Cricket Club)
Ben McDermott (TAS/Lindisfarne Cricket Club)
Glenn Maxwell (VIC/Fitzroy Doncaster Cricket Club)
Jhye Richardson (WA/Fremantle District Cricket Club)
Kane Richardson (SA/West Torrens Cricket Club)
Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club)
Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
Marcus Stoinis (WA/Subiaco Floreat Cricket Club)
Matthew Wade (TAS/Clarence Cricket Club)
Adam Zampa (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club)

George Bailey, NSP Chair, said: “This squad will begin preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup defence at home later this year and includes several players who have an early chance to impress in these five matches against a quality opposition.”

Josh Hazlewood returns from a side injury with KFC BBL Player of the Year Ben McDermott and Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques, who toured the West Indies and Bangladesh last winter, included alongside Travis Head and Jhye Richardson.

David Warner and Mitch Marsh will miss the campaign to prepare for the Pakistan tour immediately following the Sri Lankan Series.

Justin Langer and a number of other core support staff will take planned leave in preparation for the Pakistan tour. Andrew McDonald will act as Head Coach for the Sri Lankan T20 Series.
 
Sri Lanka Cricket’s Selection Committee selected the following squad to take part inthe ‘Sri Lanka Tour of Australia 2022.’

The Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa approved the below given squad.

Sri Lanka National Team will play 05 T20Is during the tour.

The matches will be played across three venues, the SCG, Manuka Oval, and MCG, starting from 11th February 2022.

The Squad

1) Dasun Shanaka – Captain
2) Charith Asalanka – Vice-Captain
3) Avishka Fernando
4) Pathum Nissanka
5) Danushka Gunathilaka
6) Kusal Mendis
7) Dinesh Chandimal
8) Chamika Karunaratne
9) Janith Liyanage
10) Kamil Mishara
11) Ramesh Mendis
12) Wanindu Hasaranga
13) Lahiru Kumara
14) Nuwan Thushara
15) Dushmantha Chameera
16) Binura Fernando
17) Maheesh Theekshana
18) Jeffrey Vandersay
19) Praveen Jayawickrama
20) Shiran Fernando – Subject to Ministerial Approval
 
Rumesh Ratnayake

Rumesh Ratnayake was appointed as the interim coach of the National Team for the
upcoming Sri Lanka Tour of Australia.

He was appointed by the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket in consultation
with the Technical Advisory Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket.

Ratnayake will not travel to Australia with the team but will join before the 1st T20I
game, as he is currently in self-isolation having tested positive for Covid 19.
 
Nuwan Thushara, who was included in the 20 member Sri Lanka Squad to tour Australia, has tested positive for Covid-19.
Dilshan Fonseka, the team trainer, was also tested positive for Covid-19.

Both were found to be positive during a routine PCR test conducted among the squad and the support staff, who are currently remaining in a Bio-Secure Bubble ahead of the team's departure to Australia.

Both of them are currently undergoing covid-19 protocols and will rejoin the squad on the 10th of February, upon completion of the protocols.

Sri Lanka Team will leave for Australia on the 3rd February 2022.
 
Kusal Mendis, who is with the touring Sri Lanka National Team in Australia, has tested positive for Covid-19.

Mendis was found to be positive during a routine Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), conducted on Monday, 07th February.

The result of the RAT was confirmed following a PCR test, which was conducted on the same day.

Mendis is currently undergoing Covid-19 protocols and placed in isolation since Monday.

The T20I series with Sri Lanka and Australia will commence on the 11th February 2022 at the SCG.
 
Australia vs Sri Lanka | 1st T20I | SCG | 11 February, 2022 | Match Discussion

Ben McDermott is set for a comeback and Josh Inglis is gearing up for his debut as Australia take on Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the five-match series in Sydney on Friday.

Overview

Australia vs Sri Lanka, first T20I
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
11 February, 19:10 local

This is also going to be Australia's first match in the post-Langer era and under interim coach Andrew McDonald. The last week has been quite a busy period for Australian cricket with Justin Langer stepping down from his position as head coach. But the World Champions will be eager to move on from that quickly as there isn't much time left with another T20 World Cup coming up later this year.

Preparations will be in full swing as Australia look all set to test their bench strength in this series. The likes of David Warner and Mitchell Marsh have been rested. Travis Head is also unavailable for the first three T20Is and that provides a good opportunity to Ben McDermott and Josh Inglis to show their potential. Both batters have been consistent performers in the Big Bash League in the last few seasons and Finch has already confirmed that they will get a chance to prove themselves in the top order.

The Australian captain also confirmed that Matthew Wade will continue to be their keeper, which means both McDermott and Inglis will slot into the side as batters. The rest of the XI is expected to be pretty much similar with Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis forming the middle-order. Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are expected to form the pace-bowling trio again, with Adam Zampa as the sole spinner.

As far as things for Sri Lanka go, they will be looking to build on to their impressive showing during the T20 World Cup last year. They couldn't make it to the semifinals but they delivered some brilliant performances. Their squad is shaping up nicely with the likes of Charith Asalanka and Pathum Nissanka becoming mainstays in the top three. Danushka Gunathilaka is all set to return to the top of the order as his ban has ended now.

Sri Lanka's main strength is their spin bowling attack led by Wanindu Hasaranga. Maheesh Theekshana has emerged as an excellent supporting spinner to Hasaranga and the duo is expected to cause a lot of trouble to the Australian batters. The pace attack looks pretty talented too with Dushmantha Chameera expected to lead it. Winning the series will obviously be on their minds, but these five matches provide Sri Lanka an excellent opportunity to iron out the chinks and go into the World Cup as an even stronger side.

Remember the last time

The last encounter between these two sides was during the group stages of the T20 World Cup last year. Sri Lanka posted a total of 154/6 after being put into bat but Australia chased it down easily with seven wickets and 18 balls remaining. It was David Warner's 42-ball 65 at the top of the order that set up the chase for Australia. The spin bowling pair of Theekshana and Hasaranga tried their best but the lack of support from the pacers didn't allow Sri Lanka to put Australia under pressure.

Before that match, they took on each other in a three-match T20 series in 2019. Australia used the home advantage pretty well to whitewash the Lankans. The hosts registered big victories in all three matches, winning them by 134 runs, 9 wickets and 7 wickets respectively.

What they said

Aaron Finch (Australia): "Ben McDermott has been in unbelievable nick so to get him at the top of the order was really crucial for us. And Josh Inglis has been someone who has been shuffled around the order a little bit. (His selection) is a sign of how well he's played over the last couple of years, but also how great he was around the group at the T20 WC. He hasn't got the runs he would have liked throughout the Big Bash as he has done in the past. But he was playing slightly different roles. So it's a great opportunity for him."

Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka): "The first time you come here, everyone struggles and goes through a lot of difficulties as you gain more experience. He [Wanindu Hasaranga] is much older now so he's fit to deliver."

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2478448

==

Squads:

Australia Squad: Aaron Finch(c), Ben McDermott, Josh Inglis, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade(w), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Daniel Sams, Kane Richardson, Moises Henriques

Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal(w), Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Ramesh Mendis, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Kumara, Praveen Jayawickrama, Janith Liyanage, Kamil Mishara, Shiran Fernando, Nuwan Thushara


==

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Sri Lanka have won the toss and have opted to field

Teams:

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal(w), Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando

Australia (Playing XI): Aaron Finch(c), Ben McDermott, Josh Inglis, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade(w), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
 
AUS 107/4 (14.1) CRR: 7.55
Sri Lanka opt to bowl

Seems Aus struggling a bit.
 
AUS 149/9 (20)
SL 33/2 (6.5) CRR: 4.83 REQ: 8.89
Sri Lanka need 117 runs in 79 balls
 
AUS 149/9 (20)
SL 89/5 (15) CRR: 5.93 REQ: 13.5
Sri Lanka need 54 runs in 24 balls - SL innings reduced to 19 overs, target 143 runs
 
Australia go 1-0 up

Sri Lanka fall short by 20 runs (by DLS method), courtesy of brilliant spells of bowling from Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa.

==

AUS 149/9 (20)
SL 122/8 (19)

Australia won by 20 runs (DLS method)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Adam Zampa
 
Brilliant bowling spells from Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood helped Australia take a 1-0 series lead against Sri Lanka in the first T20I at Sydney Cricket Ground

Having been asked to bat first, Australia lost skipper Aaron Finch early, who failed to read the wrong-un from Wanindu Hasaranga and was out bowled. McDermott, who made his comeback into the side after his brilliant performance in the Big Bash League, continued his good form and scored 53 of 41 deliveries.

After the wicket of Finch, debutant Jos Inglis and McDermott and Inglis took the attack to the bowlers and completed their 50 run partnership before the latter was dismissed in the 11th over by Karunaratne. Captain Dasun Shanaka saw the opportunity and immediately brought Hasaranga back into the attack, which turned out to be perfect change as scalped the big wickets of Maxwell and Smith.

The Australian batters struggled to overcome the situation and kept losing their wickets in quick succession. Marcus Stoinis made 30 of 17 balls and was the only batsman apart from McDermott who looked comfortable in front of the Sri Lankan bowlers. Australia, who were 90/2 at one point, finished their innings at 149/9.

Chasing 150 for the win, Sri Lanka got off to a poor start as they lost early wickets. The first wicket came when Danushka Gunathilaka tried to attack Hazlewood but ended up handing a catch straight into the hands of Stoinis at mid-wicket. Avishka Fernando didn't trouble the scorers too much and lost his wicket to Cummins on 6.

Opener Pathum Nissanka looked in good touch and with Charith Asalanka, steadied the ship. Nissanka, however, in his attempt to accelerate the innings, lost his wicket to Zampa on 36. Zampa struck with another wicket in the same over and dismissed Asalanka, exposing the inexperience of the Sri Lankan batting lineup.

Hasaranga who had a brilliant night with the ball couldn't add much with the bat and lost his wicket to Zampa scoring 13 of 11 deliveries. Zampa’s three quick wickets in the middle overs later turned out to be crucial for Australia to win the match.

The rain had its part to play and the target was reduced to 143 in 19 overs.

After the resumption, Hazlewood in his second spell picked three wickets of Dasun Shanaka, Chamika Karunaratne and Dushmantha Chameera and to turn the match completely in Australia's favour. He ended his spell with the figure of 4/12. Dinesh Chandimal was the only saving grace towards the end for Sri Lanka with 25 off 16, but was not enough to get Sri Lanka through as they fell short by 20 runs (by DLS method).

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2481020
 
I think Australia should win 4-1 or 5-0.

Great opportunity for Australia to improve their ranking in T20.
 
Very surprised but good to see Australia is playing full strength team for a T20 series against Srilanka.

However, Steve Smith should retire from this format.
 
Australia will aim to improve upon their performance from the first match while there will be positives for Sri Lanka in the form of their bowling unit when the two sides clash again in Sydney.

Overview

Australia vs Sri Lanka, second T20I
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
13 February, 19:10 local

For the World Champions, it was business as usual in the first T20I at Sydney as a thoroughly professional performance helped them to a relatively comfortable victory against the visitors. The bowling unit was on fire but there will be concerns in the batting department. The services of David Warner and Mitchell Marsh was missed as there was a lack of thrust at the top of the order. This will be an area which the Australians will aim to improve heading into the second contest at the same venue.

For Sri Lanka, the bowlers performed admirably well but there was a lack of intent in the batting department. Accelerating while not losing wickets at regular intervals will be their main area of focus. They will hope that the bowling department can replicate the performance of the first match. Skipper Dasun Shanaka will still back a relatively young unit to fight back hard on Sunday.

Remember the last time

Bowling first, Sri Lankan bowlers bowled with great gusto and discipline to restrict Australia to 149/9. Ben McDermott got the hosts off to a decent start with a 41-ball 53. Marcus Stoinis' 17-ball 30 then helped Australia get to a score which their bowlers would feel confident about defending. For Sri Lanka, it was a collective bowling effort, with Binura Fernando being the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/12 in his four overs.

In reply, no Sri Lankan batter apart from Pathum Nissanka (36) and Dinesh Chandimal (25) could mount much of a fightback. The chase was curtailed by one over due to rain interruptions but that did not make much of a difference as Sri Lanka still fell short by 20 runs (DLS method). Josh Hazlewood (4/12) and Adam Zampa (3/18) broke the backbone of the Sri Lankan batting unit.

What they said

Aaron Finch (Australia captain): "It was nice to get the win. I thought we had to bowl well to defend that total on this wicket. We probably left ourselves a little bit short with the bat. We got ourselves into a position where we were one wicket down too many at stages after the 12th over. But an unbelievable effort from the bowlers."

Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka captain): "We had lots of positives with the bowling and in the field. I thought we did better in those departments. Obviously, we didn't get any partnerships going from the start. It's been a concern even from the last tour we were here. We need to come up with a better plan for the next game."

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2481536
 
Teams:

Australia (Playing XI): Aaron Finch(c), Ben McDermott, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade(w), Pat Cummins, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal(w), Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara

Sri Lanka have won the toss and have opted to field
 
Q9hzhVV.png
 
Match tied (Australia win in super over)

Australia - 164/6 20/20 ov RR: 8.20
Sri Lanka - 164/8 20/20 ov RR: 8.20
 
Sri Lanka managed to take the match to a Super Over but Josh Hazlewood’s brilliant bowling helped Australia take a 2-0 lead in the series.

Despite losing the opening T20I match after choosing to chase, Sri Lanka opted to bowl first in the second T20I in Sydney. Sri Lanka had to make a forced change with Binura Fernando being unavailable for this match, with round-arm seamer Nuwan Thushara replacing him. Australia, on the other side, rested Mitchell Starc and brought the Kane Richardson.

Ben McDermott, the highest scorer for Australia in the first T20I, started with intent but soon fell to debutant Nuwan Thushara, failing to clear Wanindu Hasaranga at long-on.

Josh Inglis top-scored for Australia with 48 from 32 while skipper Aaron Finch, who seemed set in the middle lost his wicket at a crucial time to a wrong-un from Wanindu Hasaranga.

Maxwell was Hasaranga's second victim and fell for 15. It was all up to Steven Smith and Marcus Soinis to finish strongly in the death overs but Dushmantha Chameera snapped them both up in consecutive deliveries. Matthew Wade did manage to make an impact towards the end as he hit a four and a six in the 20th over helping Australia finish 164/4 in 20 overs.

While Sri Lanka bowlers were brilliant in the second half of the innings, Australia once again failed to finish strongly with the bat, going from 92/2 at the end of 11 overs to 164/6 at the end of 20.

The Australian bowlers were on the money from the start and picked up crucial wickets early on. Hazlewood sent Danushka Gunathilaka back to the pavilion in the first over for a duck and followed it up with the scalp of Avishka Fernando in his next over.

Charith Asalanka didn't trouble the scorers either and was the second batter to depart without opening his account.

Opener Pathum Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal came to the rescue before Adam Zampa struck crucially to remove the latter after the 10-over mark.

Captain Dasun Shanaka played a brilliant knock of 34 of 19 deliveries, which included two fours and three sixes, kept Sri Lanka in the chase but was unlucky to get run out. Hasaranga played a crucial cameo of 13 while Nissanka too exploded towards the end.

With 19 needed off the last over, Nissanka smashed a four off the first ball but was out for 73 two balls later. Needing 12 off 3, Maheesh Theekshana smashed a six despite Steve Smith's best efforts on the boundary and took a single off the next.


With five needed off the last ball, Chameera, playing his first ball, smashed a four over Stoinis' head to force a Super Over.

Hazlewood was spot on with his bowling in the Super Over and restricted Sri Lanka to just five runs. Maxwell and Stoinis then completed the formalities with the bat and won the match in three balls, helping Australia take a 2-0 lead in the series.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2483647
 
Sri Lanka have been fined 20 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against Australia in the second T20I held in Sydney.

David Boon of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Sri Lanka were found to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time.

In addition, batter Pathum Nissanka of Sri Lanka was also given a warning after being found to have breached Article 2.3 of the ICC code, which relates to “use of an audible obscenity during an International Match”. In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to his disciplinary record. The incident occurred when Nissanka missed a ball whilst batting and reacted using inappropriate language which was clearly audible on the stump microphone and on the field of play.

Captain, Dasun Shanaka and Pathum Nissanka both pleaded guilty to their respective offences and accepted the proposed sanctions, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

Umpires Donovan Koch, Rod Tucker, Shawn Craig, and Gerard Abood leveled the charge.

Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of a fine of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
 
Despite showing positive signs in the first two games, a win has eluded Sri Lanka and they now find themselves in a spot of bother – they need to win the third T20I to stay alive in the series against Australia.

Australia vs Sri Lanka, third T20
Manuka Oval, Canberra
15 February, 19:10 local

After a comfortable win in the first T20I, World Champions Australia were made to earn their victory in the second match of the series that went into a Super Over. Though they are 2-0 up, Australia will be looking for improvements in the third T20I, especially in the batting department. In both matches so far, the home side failed to finish the game despite the top order laying a solid foundation to go big in the second half of the innings.

Skipper Aaron Finch has already hinted at a change in the bowling combination in the post-match presentation. He will also be forced to tinker with the batting line-up after Steve Smith was ruled out of the rest of the T20Is after suffering a concussion while trying to save a six in the final over of the second match.

As for Sri Lanka, they will be expecting a lot more from their batters, despite them making a game of it in the second match. In both the games, it has been the collective efforts of the bowlers that kept Australia at bay in the second half of the innings.

The visitors will be boosted by the possible return of Kusal Mendis, who will be out of quarantine after testing positive a few days before the start of the T20I series.

Remember the last time

Australia and Sri Lanka played out a thriller in the second T20I, which ended with scores all squares, forcing the match into a Super Over.

Put in, Australia were cruising in the first innings, with Josh Inglis leading the charge with 48. However, Australia failed to finish well with Sri Lanka bowlers yet again coming back strongly in the second half of the innings. Australia, who at one point were 92/2 after 11 overs finished at 164/6.

Sri Lanka got off to a poor start in their chase, with three wickets falling in the Powerplay, two of which Josh Hazlewood picked up. Pathum Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal led the recovery but it was captain Dasun Shanaka that provided the much-needed impetus with a 19-ball 34. With 19 required from the last over, Nissanka, along with the lower-order, forced a Super Over, with Dushmantha Chameera smashing a four off the last ball.

The Super Over turned out to be a one-sided affair with Hazlewood stifling Sri Lanka to just five runs, which Australia chased down in just three balls to go 2-0 up in the series.

What they said

Dasun Shanaka (Sri Lanka captain): "The boys showed the character. These youngsters take the fight on. I'm really impressed by the performance. Nissanka is a world-class player."

Aaron Finch (Australia captain): "We bowled some great overs, bowled some poor overs. Fielding was pretty poor. The pitch got better towards the end as the dew came in. Happy with the totals we've got. We'll tinker around. One of the bowlers will rest."

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2486013
 
Sri Lanka Tour of Australia 2022

Wanindu Hasaranga has tested positive for Covid-19.

The player was found to be positive during a routine Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) conducted
this morning (15 th February).

Hasaranga is currently undergoing Covid-19 protocols and is placed in isolation.
 
Sri Lanka's batting disasters continue

SL 87/5 (16.4) CRR: 5.22
 
SL 121/6 (20)
AUS 124/4 (16.5) CRR: 7.37
Australia won by 6 wkts
 
A three-for from Kane Richardson, followed by a 50-run stand between Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch helped Australia win the third T20I by six wickets and secure an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

It was an important toss to win as Sri Lanka were put in to bat by Australia and restricted to a modest 121/6 – a display of smart bowling on Australia's part, but also one with soft dismissals and poor shot selection from Sri Lanka.

The visitors began well, reaching 17/0 in two overs, but lost the plot soon after. Richardson came into the attack and immediately snapped up Danushka Gunathilaka and Charith Asalanka in an over to reduce Sri Lanka to 23/2. Gunathilka was undone by his paddle scoop, lobbing it straight to fine leg, while Asalanka poked one outside off to give Matthew Wade a regulation catch.

The misery compounded when Kusal Mendis (4) and Pathum Nissanka (16) fell in back-to-back overs. At 40/4, the Lankans looked in all sorts of trouble and in danger of folding early.

However, the fifth-wicket stand between Dinesh Chandimal and Dasun Shanaka revived them, although while the association lent stability to the innings, the scoring rate never threatened the hosts.

Chandimal was finally bowled by Richardson at the beginning of the 17th over for a 29-ball 25 with Sri Lanka slipping to 87/5. A few shots at the end and Shanaka's presence managed to push the total to a more respectable 121/6.

With a low total to defend, Sri Lanka needed a terrific start to and they got just that as Maheesh Theekshana dismissed Ben McDermott on the first ball of Australia's innings. As Agar and Aaron Finch looked to rebuild, Theekshana struck again in the fifth over, removing the former by trapping him in front of leg.

At 26/2, Australia were in a similar position to that of Sri Lanka and needed a some resistance from their experienced batters. Glenn Maxwell and Finch provided just that. While Maxwell took up the role of the aggressor, Finch dropped anchor at the other end. Slowly and surely, the duo began chipping away at the modest target.

Maxwell got a reprieve on 22 when he was dropped off Jeffrey Vandersay, albeit a tough chance at cover. Maxwell was able to add 17 more runs to his total before Theekshana struck again to dismiss him for 39, Kusal Mendis taking a simple catch in the deep.

Despite Maxwell's crucial wicket, the half-century stand had revived the hosts and they need only 46 more in 9.2 overs. By the time Finch got out three overs later, the runs required had halved with Josh Inglis continuing from where the previous pair had left off.

Inglis and Marcus Stoinis kept their wits to run through the rest of the chase with ease. Stoinis hit two fours in the 17th over to help Australia to a six-wicket win, sealing the series 3-0 with two more matches left.

ICC
 
Nuwan Thushara suffered a left side strain while bowling during the 3rd T20I played against Australia.

Thushara has commenced rehabilitation work and will miss the remainder of the series.
 
With a 3-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, World Champions Australia will now look to tinker their line-up keeping the upcoming T20 World Cup preparations in mind.

Overview

Australia v Sri Lanka, fourth T20I
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
18 February, 19:10 local

Despite giving their best in the first two T20I matches, Sri Lanka failed to make a comeback in the third T20I. Their poor performance in Canberra let Australia seal the series with three consecutive wins and take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Although the Lankans have shown intent, they have not been able to edge ahead of the Aussies. The Sri Lankan bowlers have been exceptional throughout the series but the batters are yet to contribute. In the first T20I, Sri Lanka had managed to restrict Australia to a modest total but their batters failed to put up a good show handing the hosts an easy win. Pathum Nissanka has been the only Lankan batter who has shown some good form in the series, but his brilliant innings of 73 in the second T20I went in vain when they lost the match in the Super Over. The expectations were high for Sri Lanka to come out strongly in the third T20I, but their batting woes continued, allowing the hosts dominate once again.

The absence of Wanindu Hasaranga, who tested Covid positive before the third T20I, was a huge blow for the visitors. His capability of taking wickets at crucial times had helped Sri Lanka put up a fightback in the first two T20Is. In absence of Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana led the Lankan bowling lineup and performed brilliantly but did not get any support from other bowlers. With Sri Lanka playing the last two T20Is for pride it will be crucial for the batters like Charith Asalanka, Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis to contribute with the bat.

Although the hosts have clinched the series, the wins haven’t come easy for them. The Sri Lankans have tested the Australian batters, who have found themselves lucky to be on the winning side. With the absence of David Warner, and Aaron Finch struggling with his form, the host batters have been unable to finish well. However, their bowlers have done exceptionally well, particularly Josh Hazlewood who has taken 8 wickets in the three matches.

Now that the series is in the bag, their key quicks – Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood – have all been rested. And with the next T20 World Cup just six months away, Australia will be looking to experiment more.

Remember the last time

In the third T20I in Canberra, Australia managed to sneak out an easy win and defeated Sri Lanka by 6 wickets to clinch the series.

Australia after winning the toss had asked Sri Lanka to bat first. With Sri Lanka needing a victory to keep the series alive there was a huge responsibility on the batters to set up a fighting total, but the Australian bowlers had their own plans, they kept picking up wickets at the right time and restricted the visitors to a below-par score of 121/6 in 20 overs.

Chasing a target of 122 runs and despite losing the openers early, Australia managed to cross the line with ease. Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell’s steady innings in the middle overs laid the foundation, while some handy contributions from Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis helped the hosts achieve the target with 3.1 overs to spare.

What they said

Aaron Finch, Australia captain: “We are shuffling our guys to know the depth of our squad. Very good signs indeed. If we want to structure our sides with a particular combination, we need to try out a few players. We need 7 batters is what I personally think. The wickets haven't been really true. I have been waiting for the opportunity to get the width."

Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lanka captain: (After the previous loss) “No positives today. Poor start from our boys and we were 20-30 runs short. I think we should bat well in the first 6 overs and not throw our wickets away.”

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2489395
 
Teams:
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal(w), Dasun Shanaka(c), Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara

Australia (Playing XI): Ben McDermott, Ashton Agar, Aaron Finch(c), Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade(w), Daniel Sams, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa

Australia have won the toss and have opted to field
 
SL 139/8 (20) CRR: 6.95
Innings Break


Sri Lanka continuing to struggle on this tour
 
SL 139/8 (20)
AUS 11/0 (2.1) CRR: 5.08 REQ: 7.23
Australia need 129 runs
 
Sri Lanka making a game of this one?

SL 139/8 (20)
AUS 47/2 (8) CRR: 5.88 REQ: 7.75
Australia need 93 runs in 72 balls

Ashton Agar *25
Glenn Maxwell 5
 
Looking comfortable for Australia at present.

SL 139/8 (20)
AUS 103/3 (14.3) CRR: 7.1 REQ: 6.73

Australia need 37 runs in 33 balls

Glenn Maxwell *24
Josh Inglis 32
 
18 Feb 22
Clinical Australia go 4-0 up in T20I series against Sri Lanka
AUS vs SL, 4th T20I, report

Australia continued to dominate in the current T20I series, beating Sri Lanka by six wickets in the fourth encounter on Friday, 18 February.

Australia were clinical in all of the departments as they secured a comfortable win with 11 balls to spare.

Earlier, Australia captain Aaron Finch won the toss and decided to have a bowl first.

After taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, the hosts had the option of experimenting with their XI in the fourth T20I. They made two changes and brought in Jhye Richardson and Adam Zampa who were rested in the previous game.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka made only one change with Lahiru Kumara coming in for his first game of the series in place of the injured Nuwan Thushara.

Sri Lanka once again failed to capitalise on a decent start provided by the top order.

Openers Danushka Gunathilaka and the in-form Pathum Nissaka started the innings with some good looking shots and had added 35 runs in the first four overs, but the introduction of spin in the Powerplay worked for Australia as Ashton Agar managed to get Gunathilaka’s wicket.

Nissanka was then joined by Kusal Mendis and both the batters lifted their side to 73/1 in 10 overs.

The second-wicket partnership that had just started to look dangerous for Australia came to an end in the next over. Mendis was dismissed for a steady 21-ball 27 when he was run out by a direct hit from Glenn Maxwell. The second-wicket partnership was worth 41 runs.

The run-out turned out to be crucial for Australia as it completely changed the momentum of the match. Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals and ended up with 139/8 on the board.

Nissanka continued his good form and scored 46 off 40 balls but fell short of a deserving half-century while trying to go after Adam Zampa in the 17th over. Sri Lanka went into deep trouble after losing the wickets of Asalanka, Chandimal and captain Shanaka cheaply.

However, the tail-enders did manage to hit some boundaries towards the end of the innings and those 17 runs from the last over off Kane Richardson helped them to a decent total.

The Sri Lankans started their defence with early wickets. Agar and Ben McDermott opened the batting for Australia but McDermott (9) once again fell prey to Maheesh Theekshana.

After taking the first wicket the Lankans were desperate to take another wicket. Aaron Finch who had just come out to bat got one hit straight onto the pads which forced Sri Lanka to take an unsuccessful review.

Finch and Agar struggled to score runs and Australia finished the Powerplay with only 30 runs on the board, 11 runs short of what Sri Lanka had scored in their first six overs.

Finch became victim of a short ball from Lahiru Kumara as he lost his wicket in the seventh over.

Agar (26 from 31) on the other end was struggling to find boundaries and in a desperate attempt to find one, he top-edged one straight into the hands of the mid-off fielder.

After taking wickets of the top three, the Sri Lankans looked to have control of the game and once again the responsibility came on the shoulders of the Australian middle-order batters to take their team across the line.

Josh Inglis and Maxwell took the responsibility and didn't let the Lankans dominate, their 71-run partnership helped Australia to reach a position from where the run chase looked effortless.

Inglis, after making 40 runs off 20 balls, nicked one to the wicketkeeper’s hand --- but Maxwell stayed till the end, and scored an unbeaten 48 runs from 39 balls to push Australia past the finish line.
 
Australia

1 Aaron Finch (capt), 2 Ben McDermott, 3 Josh Inglis, 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Matthew Wade (wk), 7 Daniel Sams, 8 Ashton Agar, 9 Jhye Richardson, 10 Kane Richardson, 11 Adam Zampa

Sri Lanka

1 Kamil Mishara, 2 Pathum Nissanka, 3 Charith Asalanka, 4 Kusal Mendis, 5 Janith Liyanage (wk), 6 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 7 Chamika Karunaratne, 8 Dushmantha Chameera, 9 Praveen Jayawickrama, 10 Maheesh Theekshana, 11 Lahiru Kumara

Australia chose to bat
 
Lanka have bowled well here , they have got half the aussies wickets with 7 overs to go
 
Sri Lanka (155/5) defeat Australia (154/6) by five wickets with one ball to spare.

Kusal Mendis led the chase with 69 not out from 58 balls.

Australia win the T20 series 4-1.
 
So, Sri Lanka avoid a whitewash.

Good performance from Australia. They seem ready for World T20.
 
Well done Sri Lanka on avoiding the whitewash.
 
Australia veteran Matthew Wade expects skipper Aaron Finch to regain form in time to help lead his country to a second consecutive ICC Men's T20 World Cup title later this year.

Finch managed just 78 runs from five innings during Australia's T20 series against Sri Lanka, with the experienced right-hander struggling to find the middle of the bat ahead of this year's 20-over showpiece.

But Wade pointed to the lean run of form David Warner experienced in the lead-up to the most recent T20 World Cup in the UAE and believes Finch will be able to follow suit later this year on home soil.

"It feels like these questions have come before the last World Cup and after the first couple of games about David," Wade said after Australia's five-wicket loss to Sri Lanka in the final game of the five-match series at the MCG on Sunday night.

"Everyone had their say about Davey and he got player of the tournament in the World Cup.

"Finchy's a class player and I've heard people questioning where he's at. He averages (close to) 40 and strikes at 140 for a reason. He's a class player and he's the captain of our team.

"The questions are always going to come when you get a little bit older and you don't do well in one series. But they (Finch and Warner) are class players for a reason and the best we've had in T20 cricket ever.

"I don't expect any change at the top of the order to be honest. Those two will be there in the World Cup, I'm confident in that and when the big game comes, they will nail it."

Wade contributed an unbeaten 43 for Australia at the MCG on Sunday, his best effort of the five-game series that Australia claimed 4-1.

It was just the third time in the series that Wade was needed with the willow and the 34-year-old knows he needs to make the most of his limited opportunities in the middle order alongside the likes of allrounders Marcus Stoinis and Ashton Agar.

"It was nice to get a hit," Wade admitted.

"I know the role I'm playing now within this team. I know that opportunities aren't going to come thick and fast. It was the same in the World Cup. It's going to be the same in the next few series as well.

"The position that I'm going to play dictates that I'll just go there and take the opportunity that I can.

"I feel really confident in what we're doing down there. I feel backed by the coaching staff and the selectors that there's going to be a real opportunity down there for myself and Marcus to kind of form that partnership that we're looking for when the big games come around. Opportunities might not swing my way over the next little bit. But when I get an opportunity I feel confident that the whole team behind me."

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2496369
 
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