Australia v Sri Lanka
Wisden's review of the third Twenty20 International, Australia v Sri Lanka
11-Apr-2018
At Adelaide, February 22, 2017 (floodlit). Australia won by 41 runs. Toss: Sri Lanka.
Australia hit their highest total of the series to set up victory in the dead rubber. The recall of Zampa also proved crucial: Sri Lanka's chase began better than in the first two matches, but foundered once he had skidded one into the pads of the previously supreme Gunaratne. Zampa met his three wickets - all balls that zipped through the batsman's defence - with the air of a man who knew he should have played in Geelong. Faulkner lent excellent support, picking up three with his combination of seamers and over-the-wrist slower balls. It helped that there were plenty of runs to defend; Finch had been badly dropped on nought by Munaweera, and zoomed to a 32-ball 53, while opening partner Klinger hit his maiden international fifty. The innings petered out once again, as the pitch offered a little more variation to the bowlers, but Australia turned that to their advantage to end their home international season with a cheering win. Mendis kept wicket in the absence of Niroshan Dickwella, who was beginning a two-match ban for dissent.
Man of the Match: A. Zampa. Man of the Series: D. A. S. Gunaratne.
Australia hit their highest total of the series to set up victory in the dead rubber. The recall of Zampa also proved crucial: Sri Lanka's chase began better than in the first two matches, but foundered once he had skidded one into the pads of the previously supreme Gunaratne. Zampa met his three wickets - all balls that zipped through the batsman's defence - with the air of a man who knew he should have played in Geelong. Faulkner lent excellent support, picking up three with his combination of seamers and over-the-wrist slower balls. It helped that there were plenty of runs to defend; Finch had been badly dropped on nought by Munaweera, and zoomed to a 32-ball 53, while opening partner Klinger hit his maiden international fifty. The innings petered out once again, as the pitch offered a little more variation to the bowlers, but Australia turned that to their advantage to end their home international season with a cheering win. Mendis kept wicket in the absence of Niroshan Dickwella, who was beginning a two-match ban for dissent.
Man of the Match: A. Zampa. Man of the Series: D. A. S. Gunaratne.