Australia beat Sri Lanka in 3rd T20I by 6 wickets, seal series
Glenn Maxwell slammed 39 off 25 balls as a dominant Australia thumped Sri Lanka by six wickets to win their third straight T20I clash and seal the series in Canberra on Tuesday.
Australia win by 6 wickets and take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka 👏#AUSvSL | https://t.co/BKrvBKEUXx pic.twitter.com/9jwFpU8yw0
— ICC (@ICC) February 15, 2022
The world champions have an unassailable 3-0 lead with two games to play after taking the opening match by 20 runs then clinching the second in a thrilling super over finish after it ended in a tie.
They made a slow start chasing 122 to win at Manuka Oval, losing two early wickets before skipper Aaron Finch (35) and the big-hitting Maxwell steadied the ship.
Maxwell brings out the switch hit and NAILS IT! #OhWhatAFeeling #AUSvSL | @Toyota_Aus pic.twitter.com/6lSvzfFwGn
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 15, 2022
They achieved the target with 19 balls to spare and the loss of four wickets.
Australia made three changes for the game, with Mitchell Starc returning and Ashton Agar and Daniel Sams given an opportunity, with Finch hailing the depth of the squad.
With Sri Lanka needing victory to keep the series alive, they struck 17 off the first two overs after being sent into bat.
Australia restrict Sri Lanka to 121/6 in the third T20I.
Can the visitors defend this total?
Watch the match live on https://t.co/CPDKNxpgZ3 (in select regions) 📺#AUSvSL | https://t.co/BKrvBKFsN5 pic.twitter.com/0Q9JYG38FY
— ICC (@ICC) February 15, 2022
But they got bogged down by Australia’s economical bowling, crawling to 121 for six with skipper Dasun Shanaka making 39 and Kane Richardson bagging 3-21.
Player of the Match is Kane Richardson for his 3-21.
Watch his wickets here: https://t.co/HJiAkOQT9L#AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/sWAfPLlZYL
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 15, 2022
Their prospect of pulling off a victory was hampered by star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga testing positive for Covid-19 before the match and speedster Nuwan Thushara pulling up injured after bowling only seven balls.
It doesn't look good for Thushara. He's leaving the field after 1.1 overs #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/90EJaiYJpC
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 15, 2022
JUST IN: Sri Lanka star Wanindu Hasaranga has tested positive to COVID-19, just hours before the third #AUSvSL T20 tonight https://t.co/Y04JkxLNjT pic.twitter.com/5o5pyXVvi7
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 15, 2022