T20I;Sri Lanka beat Australia by 5 wickets

17 February 2017 05:47 pm - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Chamara Kapugedera's last-ball boundary has given Sri Lanka a five-wicket win over Australia in their opening T20 clash at the MCG.
The tourists were cruising at 3-151 in the 18th over, before first-gamer Ashton Turner snared the wickets of Asela Gunaratne and Milinda Siriwardana.
Scores were then tied on the last delivery, with Kapugedera pumping his fist in glee after driving Ashton Tye through cover for the match-winning runs.
Sri Lanka scored 5-172 in reply to Australia's 6-168 from their 20 overs.
Top Sri Lankan paceman Lasith Malinga made a successful return to international T20s - he was on a hat-trick late in the Australian innings, finishing with 2-29 from four overs, and also took two catches.

Gunaratne top-scored with 52 from 37 balls, giving him the last laugh in the match.
When Gunaratne came on to bowl, Australian captain Aaron Finch blasted his first ball 20 rows back into the Southern Stand.
Australia made a dream start in the field when Pat Cummins had captain Upul Tharanga caught behind for a duck in the opening over.
It was a bad night for Tharanga - after winning the toss, he dropped a straightforward chance off Travis Head.
After Tharanga's dismissal, fellow opener Niroshan Dickwella and Dilshan Minaweera took control with a blistering stand of 74 from 47 balls.
Legspinner Adam Zampa temporarily blunted the Sri Lankan charge when he dismissed Dickwella (30 from 25 balls) and Munaweera (44 off 29) in successive overs.
Then Turner dismissed Gunaratne and Milinda Siriwardena (15).
Kapugedera made 10 not out and Seekugge Prasanna was unbeaten on eight.
Zampa was the pick of the Australian attack with 2-26 from his four overs.
Finch top-scored with 43, also passing 1000 T20 international runs.
The opening match of the three-game T20 series was Malinga's first full international in nearly a year, because of injury and illness.
It was also a milestone night for Australians Michael Klinger, Turner and Billy Stanlake, plus Sri Lankan Vikum Sanjaya, who made their T20 international debuts.
Australia have several top players unavailable because of the Indian Test tour.
The game attracted a solid crowd of around 42,511, with Sri Lankan fans in the majority.
Klinger, at 36 the oldest Australian T20 international debutant, combined with Finch for a solid opening partnership of 76.
Malinga took catches to dismiss the pair - Klinger making 38 from 32 balls.
Two balls after Finch's big six, he skied an edge to Malinga and the following over, Tharanga dropped Head.
"It was a good time to drop a catch," Australian coach Justin Langer noted during the match telecast.(Wide World of Sports)

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Comments - 19

Vijith Pieterz Friday, 17 February 2017 09:04 PM

Now our boys should not forget the great cricketing legend, Arjuna Ranathunga. OK.

CITIZEN Saturday, 18 February 2017 10:44 AM

CONGRATS boys! I think PM Ranil W's presence brought them luck, unlike in previous times!!

Babli RH Saturday, 18 February 2017 10:02 AM

Slinga Nourish the team, Thanks Malingaaaa

Kadupol Jothywansa Friday, 17 February 2017 10:14 PM

Good show... but Lasith should lead our T20 in our future matches.

Kiris Baba Amaray Friday, 17 February 2017 10:13 PM

We have a strong T20 team who could be the next World Champs... for sure.

J Palitha Friday, 17 February 2017 10:12 PM

Malinda's arrival brought an extra stamina for our T20 team to win over Australia.

Manuel Benjamin Friday, 17 February 2017 10:11 PM

On the whole - the entire team of SL T20 should be graced. Thanks our Lions...

WISE DONKEY Friday, 17 February 2017 09:27 PM

Well done boys! Please keep up the good work. We are always with you and keep our flag flying! Jayawewa!

J Palitha Friday, 17 February 2017 09:08 PM

Hope RW and his team would have personally watched this match in Australia. Good show... some encouragement.

Kadupol Jothywansa Friday, 17 February 2017 09:06 PM

Great win... boys do it and prove it in the next two (02) - T20's. and make it 3-0, that will carry more weight to SriLanka. Good luck....

ANTON Friday, 17 February 2017 07:00 PM

CONGRATULATIONS.... BUT WE STILL HAVE TO DEPEND ON OLD STUFF EH ?

Manuel Benjamin Friday, 17 February 2017 09:03 PM

When our leaders of our island is still in Australia, our boys did well. Keep it up boys.

Bubble Banda Friday, 17 February 2017 09:00 PM

Well done SriLankans..... This team will definitely carry the next world cup T20.

Kiris Baba Amaray Friday, 17 February 2017 08:59 PM

Great job by our youngsters, let no Political interference take place hereafter. This is the best T20 Team/

German Jacob Friday, 17 February 2017 08:57 PM

Its a good Team work by our young guys. Let our selectors not make any changes to our T20 Team.

Kiris Baba Amaray Friday, 17 February 2017 08:56 PM

Malinda should be graced anyway.... but our fielding was very poor.

Desmond Jeromme Friday, 17 February 2017 08:55 PM

Credit should go to Chamara Kapugethera non others. Well done son.

Damitha Aus Friday, 17 February 2017 07:13 PM

Friday, match. Saturday, dinner dance. Sunday, match again. Who authorised, I don't know. .

Jagath Leanage Friday, 17 February 2017 07:02 PM

One of the best and interesting match we watched. Well done boys.

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T20I;Sri Lanka beat Australia by 5 wickets

Comments - 19

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