Australia secures a 3-0 series lead over Sri Lanka.

In the third T20I Down Under, Australia beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets to lead the series 3-0. The Australians restricted Sri Lanka to 121/6 in 20 overs, the total they were able to force down with 3.1 overs to spare thanks to Glenn Maxwell’s rapid 39 and Kane Richardson and Ashton Agar’s miserly bowling performance.

Despite losing starter Ben McDermott for 0, Australia was never in jeopardy in the chase. In an unexpected choice, Agar batted first, with skipper Aaron Finch dropping to third. Agar, on the other hand, was unable to get going after reaching a 13-ball 13.

Finch and Glenn Maxwell put up a 50-run stand in 36 balls for the third wicket before Maxwell was dismissed for a quickfire 39 off 26 balls. Maxwell broke the fence twice and hit three boundaries as he added momentum to the chase. Josh Inglis (21 from 18 balls) and Marcus Stoinis (8-ball 12) completed a very straightforward chase.

Mahesh Theekshana, who signed a contract with Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League on Sunday, sparkled with the ball, taking three wickets for 24 runs in four overs, but it was insufficient for Sri Lanka.

Earlier, after losing the toss and batting first, Sri Lanka started slowly and were reduced to 51-4 at the midway point of their innings after Richardson got two early wickets.

After Sri Lanka’s top order collapsed, captain Dasun Shanaka (39 not out) and Dinesh Chandimal (25) were left to pick up the pieces, but they were unable to make an offensive and spent six overs without hitting the rope as their side limped to a meagre score.

“No positives today, yet another bad start from our lads, as it has been all series,” Shanaka stated.

On Friday, the fourth T20I will be played in Melbourne.