T20I 3: Shanaka science helps Sri Lanka avoid being vindicated by Australia | News about cricket

COLOMBO: Dasun Shanaka leading from the front with half a century sparkling like Sri Lanka Match World Champion Australia by four brackets in the third and final Twenty20 International to avoid a series of whitewashes on Saturday.
Chasing 177 for a consoling win after being outplayed in the first two games, Sri Lanka were in the doldrums with a 108-6 scoreline in their 16 innings at Kandy.
Shanaka then exploded with the cane to pressure back into Australia with Sri Lanka needing the final 19 runs from Kane Richardsonwho buckled under the pressure.
Richardson started again with two goals wide and Shanaka hit him for back-to-back boundaries and was followed by six to level the score.
Sri Lanka’s victory was sealed when Richardson missed the third widest of them, triggering celebrations at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Shanaka’s 54 unbeaten matches came from 25 balls and included four six and five four.
Earlier, Australia were crowned 176-5 after captain Aaron Finch (29) won the pitch and teamed up with David Warner (39) to give the visitors a strong start. strong.
Marcus Stoinis contributed 38 down orders, while Steve Smith scored 37 goals without going out to help Australia have a pretty good total score.
Stoinis shines with a tackle that knocks out Charith Asalanka and Pathum Nissanka but Shanaka’s spectacular strike means Sri Lanka will be confident of a day-long series between the sides that begins on Tuesday.