BLOG: T20 Australia vs Sri Lanka at the MCG

Sri Lanka (5/172) has defeated Australia by 5 wickets in the first of 3 match T20 series

A crowd of 42000 at the MCG has seen Sri Lanka win a cracking match by 5 wickets.  Despite losing Tharanga early in the chase a display of creative, quality batting particularly from Gunaratne had the Sri Lankans in a dominating position.  As per the Australian innings it was the spinners who were able to stem the bleeding. Taking 2 wickets a piece Zampa and Turner kept home side in the match until the final delivery.  A thoroughly entertaining start to the series.  Here are the highlights of the Sri Lankan innings.

 

Australia 6/168 (20 overs) 

What a great start to the 3 match series.  Sri Lanka won the toss and sent Australia in, skipper Tharanga liked the pitch and was more than happy to chase.  One of three debutants in the side, Michael Klinger teamed up with Aaron Finch to lodge a 76 run opening partnership.  But the batting side lost their way.  They seized up under the spinners and Lasith Malinga snared 2 wickets and 2 catches though poor fielding possibly yielded an extra 10 runs for the home side.  

Here the highlights and MRN experts Damien Fleming and John Emburey wrap the innings.

 

Australia vs Sri Lanka at the MCG: Sri Lanka won the toss and sent Australia in.

?AUS XI: Finch, Klinger, Head, Henriques, Turner, Paine, Faulkner, Cummins, Zampa, Stanlake, Tye

SL XI: Dickwella, Malinga, Munaweera, Tharanga, Gunaratne, Prasanna, Sanjaya, Siriwardana, Kapugedara, Kulasekara, Sandakan

The Australian Women’s cricket team have defeated New Zealand by 40 runs in the first of 3 match series.

Along with Australian captain Meg Lanning (60),  Elyse Villani set up Australia’s innings of 4/151 with an unbeaten 73.  Villani embraced the opportunity to bat up the order at 4 and was named Player of the Match in the comprehensive victory.