Australia v Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I: 5 Talking Points

Michael Klinger and Adam Zampa took the honors on the day as Australia salvaged some pride and went ahead and secured an important win in the three-match T20I series, something that also brings a conclusion to what has been somewhat of an entertaining series. Asela Gunaratne could not make much of an impact on the day as he was one of Zampa’s unfortunate victims as well. However, this was also something that saw the likes of Dilshan Munaweera step up to the plate with some impressive batting acumen.

On the other hand, it was Michael Klinger who impressed quite a bit with some terrific and sustained batting as he smashed an impressive 62. Aaron Finch also played an impressive hand as he went ahead and hammered the ball to the fence on several occasions, something that was certainly expected from him, especially with him being the captain of the side. That said, here are five talking points from the recently-concluded encounter.

1. Finch and Klinger get the Aussies off to a flier

Batting first, Aaron Finch and Michael Klinger got the Aussies off to a fantastic start on the day, something that would eventually ensure that the foundations for the rest of the innings were also well and truly laid. While Aaron Finch was plying the natural game he usually plays, it was Michael Klinger who went ahead and began to showcase some impressive batting acumen, something that ensured that he would indeed stay till the very end. While Finch helped himself to an impressive 53, it was the sustained effort of Michael Klinger who smashed 62 before losing his wicket soon after.

2. Dunk and Head sustain the effort

Both Ben Dunk and Travis Head went ahead and batted with Michael Klinger. Once again, as is the case with most of Klinger’s partnerships, it seems quite clear that the other batsman has to be the aggressor. This was quite clearly something that the duo of Dunk and Head were able to pull off with some tremendous batting acumen. They smashed 28 and 30 respectively, something that eventually saw the Aussies post a score well above the one that was par.

3. Munaweera wades into the Australian attack

Playing in a rare international fixture for Sri Lanka, it was Dilshan Munaweera who was quite impressive on the morning with some incredible batting acumen, something that would go on to ensure that kept the Lankans in the hunt initially. Munaweera brandished his bat and smashed the ball predominantly straight down the ground, something that was clearly amazing from the perspective of the selectors. It was indeed quite a shame that it would all fall away towards the end, but the innings would be well known for the manner in which Munaweera smashed that quickfire 37.

4. Adam Zampa shines in the mid-overs

Adam Zampa was left out of the Australia squad for the Test series, something that was quite clearly not too much in his control. While Mitchell Swepson went in his place, Zampa went ahead and proved his mettle with some amazing bowling in the 4 overs he bowled. He put down a catch early on in the innings before ensuring that he would pick three wickets in the innings later on.

5. Lankans capitulate towards the end

The Lankans went ahead and capitulated towards the end as they made futile attempts to make amends for what had previously taken place. However, they did not have much to play on, especially given the slowness of the track towards the close of the innings. They lost wickets in regular intervals and batted just the 18 overs before being bowled out eventually.