Mkhitaryan secures P23 United progress SPORTS 2424 Thursday, February 23, 2017

Adelaide Sri Lanka’s chase was given early (28 from 21 balls) and (30 eg-spinner claimed impetus by Dilshan Munaweera, who from 16) contributed useful knocks to three to bowl to smacked 37 from 25 balls, but from 41 get to 179 for two before a late flurry of Lvictory and avoid a series without loss in the fourth over the tourists wickets cost Australia a chance to top a wipeout against Sri Lanka in Adelaide lost traction and slid to 76 for four in the 200 total. yesterday. 10th over. Zampa claimed the vital Sri Lanka claimed four wickets for Man-of-the-match Zampa, who was of man of the series Asela Gunaratne, leg eight off the final 11 deliveries with Lasith left out of the previous match as the Sri before wicket for four in the 10th over Malinga taking two for 35 and Chamara Lankans won to clinch the three-match and the tourists were unable to arouse Kapugedera taking three catches in the series, captured three for 25 at a crucial another of their sensational finishes to deep. (AFP) stage as Australia went on to win by 41 beat Australia’s total. runs. Gunaratne slammed a pulse-racing Scorecard “It is always nice to bowl the middle 84 to power Sri Lanka to a last-ball overs and it is very easy when you have a victory against Australia on Sunday after Australia start like that,” Zampa said. clubbing 52 off 37 balls in the opening Total (6 wickets, 20 overs) 187 “Sri Lanka have very fearless players, win in Melbourne. Sri Lanka sometimes it can be tough to bowl at “Beating Australia in home conditions D. Munaweera c Turner b Head 37 them.” Openers and is a tough thing to do. The guys did a U. Tharanga c Richardson b Faulkner 14 Michael Klinger hit half-centuries as the good job,” skipper Upul Tharanga said. K. Mendis c Cummins b Richardson 14 Australians, with their leading stars in “The innings Asela Gunaratne played A. Gunaratne lbw b Zampa 4 Australia’s India for this week’s Test series, set Sri in the second game in Geelong was M. Siriwardana c & b Faulkner 35 Adam Zampa Lanka 188 runs to win. amazing.” James Faulkner also took three bowls But the Sri Lankans could not wickets with his clever changes of pace to C. Kapugedera b Zampa 7 reproduce another of their blazing late maintain Australia’s advantage. M. Shanaka lbw b Zampa 0 innings comebacks where they won the It was Sri Lanka’s first defeat in six T20 S. Prasanna c Richardson b Faulkner 12 first two T20 games off the last ball. internationals in Australia. N. Kulasekara 8 “I thought we played some fantastic Skipper Finch was dropped by L. Malinga out (Finch) 1 tonight. A complete performance Munaweera before he had scored on the S. Sanjaya (Dunk) 5 like this makes the last match even more fifth ball of the Australian innings and Extras (lb2, w7) 9 heart-breaking,” skipper Finch said. went on to cash in with 53 off 32 balls Total (all out, 18 overs) 146 “When you have Klinger at the other with three sixes and five fours. Result: Australia won by 41 runs end, he lets you play your shots. We Klinger proved the mainstay of the Series: Sri Lanka 2-1 have been guilty of not converting starts. innings with 62 from 43 deliveries with Today we had two fifties and Dunk and six fours and a six. The opening pair put Toss: Sri Lanka Head chipping in.” on 79 runs for the first wicket.

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