Australia defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets.
At the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, Glenn Maxwell and Josh Inglis helped Australia defeat Sri Lanka by four wickets to go up 4-0 in the series. Notably, Australia won the first game by 20 runs and the second in a Super Over in Sydney on Sunday after the scores were equal at the completion of the normal overs. On Tuesday in Canberra, Australia won the third game by six wickets.
Chasing 140, Australia experienced some early nerves until the middle order calmed the ship, cruising to 143/4 with 11 balls to spare thanks to Josh Inglis’ 20-ball 40. Lahiru Kumara (2-22) grabbed the wickets of unimpressive opener Ashton Agar (26 off 31 balls) and skipper Aaron Finch (two), who extended his run of runs without a half-century to 12.
Inglis, who hit the only two sixes of the innings, joined Glenn Maxwell (48 not out) at the crease with the score at 49-3 in the ninth over, and the pair put up a leisurely 71-run stand to seal the victory.
“It appeared as though (Inglis) was batting on a different track,” Maxwell added. Despite only being in his fourth international match as a cricketer, he was incredibly composed at the crease.”
Earlier, quick bowlers Kane Richardson (2-44) and Jhye Richardson (2-20) combined for a flurry of late wickets to limit Sri Lanka to 139-8 when a more competitive score might have been produced – encapsulating Sri Lanka’s batting struggles in Australia.
The world champions paid the pay for resting Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood early, losing 35-0 in the first four overs when Sri Lanka’s openers pounced on the big boundaries.
Maxwell’s sharp run-out to dismiss Kusal Mendis (27) further slowed down the visitors. However, Agar misdirected a false stroke by Danushka Gunathilaka (17) to break the stand.
Pathum Nissanka, once again shown his ability, carrying his side’s innings with little help, batting 46 before getting stumped off Adam Zampa.
On Sunday, the final match will be held in Melbourne.
