Kapugedara does it for Sri Lanka! Too full and outside off, he creams a drive through the covers and seals victory for the visitors
Australia vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I at Melbourne, Feb 17 2017 - Ball by Ball Commentary
11.18pm Kapugedara, the comeback man, pumps his fist and celebrates with Prasanna. Sri Lanka go 1-0 up. Tharanga nicked behind for a duck, but Dickwella and Munaweera power-hit their way to a 74-run stand to set a strong platform, Asela launched from there and eventually Kapugedara sealed it. In hindsight, Finch could have opted for Head's offspin rather than bringing Stanlake back after he had conceded a 24-run over or used Turner more on this sluggish track.
Finch: Credit to the Sri Lankans. They came out swinging and attacked the chase. When you have the power to hit down the ground and also scoop over the keeper, it is tough to bowl to. I thought Turner gave us a chance there, but unfortunately it did not go our way. I thought we were a bit short. We lacked maybe a 15-plus over. There were a lot of positives too and I am looking forward to Geelong.
Tharanga: Thanks to the Sri Lankan supporters. We have beaten South Africa and Australia - one of the best teams in the world - and it is a good feeling. All the batters enjoyed the game. Fielding is the area where we have to improve. The bowlers, though, did well to keep them to 168.
Asela Gunaratne is the Player of the Match
That is all we have for you from this match. Dan Brettig's report will tell you the full story. Until next time, goodbye and good night.
SL need 1 off the last ball. Silly mid-on silly mid-off in place. Finch directing the traffic at the MCG
slower short ball outside off, Kapu drags it over midwicket and hares across for the second. Wayward throw from the deep. Udana jumps off his seat in the SL dressing room. Kapu punches gloves with his partner
116.8ks, slower short ball on the off stump, attempts a pull and squirts a bottom-edge to cover
hip-high short ball on middle and leg, pulled away to long leg
118.2ks, shortish slower ball again. Prasanna pulls early again and can't touch it. Paine quickly hunts the ball down. The pair eye a bye. Paine ferries the ball to Tye, the bowler, who swipes the bails, but Prasanna is in
115.8ks slower short ball outside off, Prasanna swings early and can't touch it
It has boiled down to 6 off 6 balls. Tye to bowl the last over. Third man back. Mid-off is in the circle
110.8ks slower ball on middle and leg, he eyes up the leg side and misses. The ball grazes the thigh and rolls to the off side
Aashish Calla: "Kapugedera again! This is what, his 25th comeback to the SL team, or is it the 26th??"
full-toss outside off, flashed to deep backward point
more back of the hand stuff outside off, beats the cut
full on middle and leg, tickled to short fine leg
back of the hand slower one again, this is too wide outside off. Past the tramline. Prasanna swishes and does not connect
hip-high slower ball on the leg stump, pulled in the air over midwicket
back of the hand slower ball outside off, 107ks, the batsman drives early and outside-edges it in front of the keeper
SL need 12 off 12 balls.
dragged down outside off, slapped away to sweeper cover on the back foot
short and angled across off, square-cut away. Sweeper runs (Henriques) across to his left, slides, and ends up escorting the ball to the boundary
fizzing across off, beats the outside edge
Prasanna joins Kapu
Minesh: "Turner is turning the match suddenly..."
Two wickets in three balls for the debutant. Pushed through flatter and quicker, Siriwardana plays back and is pinned in front of leg stump. Was it heading down leg? I am sure this is missing the stumps. The umpire doesn't think so, and raises his finger. The tracker suggests it was heading down
full and attacking the front pad, worked away through square leg
Kapugedara...
Stumping chance. This looks tight. Sliding across off from around the stumps. Asela, stretching forward, attempts a reverse-sweep and misses. He loses his balance, and can't ground his bat in time. Good awareness from Paine. Maiden international wicket for Turner
Turner. Around the wicket
Duriyodhana: "How crucial were those Lasith Malinga wickets? This just shows that Sri Lanka might look deadly again in T20s with his comeback!!!"
short and cramps Asela for room. Pulled down to long leg