Live Cricket Score - Australia vs Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I November 01 2019

[Torrent Disney]

AUSTRALIA 3 - 0 SRI LANKA

They were made to work harder this time but Australia romp home in style with Warner going unbeaten throughout the series, this time with 57.

Fifty for Warner!

That's his third in a row, and he's yet to be dismissed in the series. Warner hasn't been at his fluent best, and he get to this milestone off 44 balls but they all count and he's keeping Australia well on course.

WICKET: Mcdermott trapped by Malinga

He walks off without a review but it could have saved him. A quick delivery that darts in catches him on the front pad. Warner doesn't seem too sure about it either and so he walks off. Meanwhile, Warner continues strong.

WICKET: Smith departs too

The short ball does the trick again. Smith pulls Pradeep without keeping it down and a sharp catch is taken in the deep by Sandakan.

WICKET: Finch falls for 37

The 69-run opening stand has been broken. Finch holes out to long on against Lahiru Kumara.

Powerplay: Australia 40/0

Like Sri Lanka, they too haven't got as many runs as boundaries attempted. But they're well on course in this chase without losing any wickets. They can afford to keep going harder.

Finch, Warner live by the sword

They're trying and hitting the ball as hard as possible. And we've already seen two catches being dropped as a result. Both tough chances, and giving each batsman a life.

Finch has a close shave

Lahiru Kumara pings Finch on the back leg with a pacy delivery. Sri Lanka push for a review but Finch is lucky to be saved on height there. Umpire's call says the ball-tracer while clipping the bails. Sri Lanka don't lose the review but don't get the wicket either.

Lahiru Kumara is working up some good pace, beyond 145!
 

Innings break: Sri Lanka kept down to 142

The total has been restricted despite Perera's fifty. All three pacers took two wickets apiece but the spinners too had a role to play for Australia. This looks like it should be an easy chase for the hosts, but you never know.

WICKET: Perera falls

Another one to the short ball. Perera tries a hoick-pull but skies a simple catch to mid off. He falls after a 45-ball 57.

Fifty for Kusal Perera

He's got it off 38 balls and is leading Sri Lanka's fight here. Even as Australia keep striking from the other end. They're 99/4 with Oshada Fernando nicking behind and becoming Kane Richardson's second victim of the day.

 

WICKET: Avishka Fernando departs

Pat Cummins comes in and strikes straightaway. Another man falls to the pull, holing out to fine leg.

Sri Lanka steady

In five overs of spin, straight after the powerplay Sri Lanka hit no boundaries but Fernando and Perera stitch together a run a ball stand in the period.

Powerplay: Sri Lanka 41/2

The pitch doesn't seem to hold any demons. Sri Lanka have not got all the boundaries they've attempted. But there's definite intent to be a little more proactive and brisk. It's got middling results so far. But how will it go from now? Spin comes on straight after the powerplay.

 

WICKET: Kusal Mendis falls

Kane Richardson's short ball is swung straight into the hands of deep backward square leg. Mendis falls after a 18-ball 13.

 

No ball-tracker so Australia don't lose a review!

Well, some strange scenes at MCG. Finch is pushed by Starc to go for an LBW review against Mendis. But the ball-tracker isn't available. So the decision can't be checked, and Australia keep their review. You might even consider them lucky given what the replays seemed to be indicating!

 

WICKET: Dickwella falls for a golden duck

Mitchell Starc strikes in the first over. He has Dickwella getting a leading edge that skies up to point where Ben Mcdermott, the other man in today, taking a simple catch. Sri Lanka 3/1.

 

TOSS: Australia opt to bowl

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steve Smith, Ben McDermott, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa

Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Perera (wk), Avishka Fernando, Shehan Jayasuriya, Bhanuka Rajapaksha, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Malinga (c), Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara

Will Sri Lanka finally turn up? That's the question on everyone's minds ahead of the third game. The series has seen an abysmal difference in quality between the two sides.

And despite Glenn Maxwell's absence, Australia start firm favorites in Melbourne. Is there anything that the visitors can do to upset the apple cart? We'll wait and see, with the toss coming up soon.