Sri Lankan batters failed to fire for the second consecutive T20 match against Australia and managed 124-9 in Colombo after the visitors won the toss and chose to field Wednesday. The reigning T20 champions chased down the target with three wickets to spare to seal the three match T20 series.
Put into bat, Sri Lanka struggled to get going and rode on cameos from Charith Asalanka (39) and Kusal Mendis (36) to post a below-par 124-9, barely avoiding being bowled out inside 20 overs.
Australia’s ploy to open their attack with Glenn Maxwell (2-18) paid off with the off-spinner dismissing opener Danushka Gunathilaka in the first over. Australia were without fast bowler Mitchell Starc who slit the index finger of his bowling hand on his shoe spike during the tourists’ 10-wicket win in Tuesday’s series opener.
His replacement Jhye Richardson (3-26) ensured Australia did not feel Starc’s absence and Kane Richardson was the pick of the bowlers as he registered his best bowling figures in T20s by picking up a four-wicket-haul.
For Australia, captain Aaron Finch (24) began well but Hasaranga rocked their top order and David Warner (21) was run out after a mix-up with Maxwell as their chase threatened to unravel. Hasaranga dismissed Maxwell and Ashton Agar in successive deliveries but Wade calmed Australian nerves and secured victory with a four off Gunathilaka.
The teams move to Pallekele for the final Twenty20, which will be followed by five one-dayers and two test matches.
In the first T20I, Australia thrashed Dasun Shanaka-led team for a 10-wicket victory in the first T20 match on Tuesday.
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