Sri Lanka claim series opener

Sri Lanka took a 1-0 series lead after they won the first T20I against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground by five wickets off the final ball.
Australia had posted a total of 168/6 in their 20 overs but they will be disappointed that they failed to make the most of a good platform.
Skipper Aaron Finch and opening partner and debutant Michael Klinger got Australia off to a good start putting on 76 for the first wicket in a little over ten overs.
Klinger (38) failed to pick Lakshan Sandakan’s googly and sliced one up in the air that Lasith Malinga held on to.
Finch (43) was deceived by a cutter from Asela Gunaratne in the very next over and Australia’s innings began to stutter at 86 for 2.
Moises Henriques (17) and Travis Head put on 30 for the third wicket before the former couldn’t clear long on and gave Sanjaya Bandara his first T20I wicket.
Malinga removed Head (31) and Ashton Turner (18) off successive balls to cap a fine return to international cricket.
James Faulkner struck a few blows ending on 14 not out while Tim Paine was run out without facing a ball as Australia chased a good finish.
Sri Lanka managed their chase well despite losing skipper Upul Tharanga at the end of the first over for a duck when he nicked off to Pat Cummins.
Niroshan Dickwella (30) and Dilshan Munaweera put on 74 for the second wicket at a rapid pace to lay a great platform for the chase.
Munaweera departed shortly after Dickwella with both falling to leg spinner Adam Zampa but Gunaratne fresh of a maiden ODI hundred against South Africa took control of the innings.
Sri Lankawere given a late scare after they lost Gunaratne (52) with the finish line in sight at 151 for 4.
Milinda Siriwardana (15) was then trapped leg before by Turner as Sri Lanka must have felt another case of the jitters come over them.
In the end Chamara Kapugedera (10 not out) and Seekkuge Prasanna (8 not out) held their nerve through a tense final over, with the former smashing the final ball for four with Sri Lanka needing just one to win.
Sri Lanka lead the three match series 1-0 with the next game set to take place on Sunday in Geelong.
Latest
-
News
Tributes pour in for former umpire Rudi Koertzen following death aged 73
The MCC said it was “saddened” to learn of Koertzen’s death.
-
News
Lisa Keightley to step down as England head coach at the end of the summer
The Australian took over in January 2020 and led England to the final of this year’s World Cup.
-
News
Chance to Shine graduates Lauren Bell and Issy Wong excited to keep on inspiring
The pair have enjoyed a memorable year so far with international debuts in multiple formats.
-
News
Jordan Thompson stars with the ball as London Spirit hammer Manchester Originals
Seamer Thompson, who took two wickets on his tournament debut at the Oval last week, followed that up with a remarkable four for 21 from 20 balls.
-
News
Sam Billings aiming to use England Lions game to push for Test recall
The wicketkeeper will captain the side for the tour match against South Africa.
-
News
Moeen Ali fears 50-over cricket could be lost due to ‘unsustainable’ schedule
The World Cup winner is worried people are starting to view the 50-over format as ‘the long, boring one’.
-
The Hundred
Alex Hales leads Trent Rockets to opening Hundred win
The former England opener hit 58 off 41 balls against Birmingham Phoenix.
-
News
Richard Thompson named as new ECB chair and pledges to restore trust in cricket
The 55-year-old will leave is role at Surrey.
-
England
Jos Buttler shines but Manchester Originals lose to Northern Superchargers
The England white-ball captain top-scored but the hosts were beaten at Emirates Old Trafford.