The Sri Lanka captain led a stunning fightback in the third T20 as the hosts clubbed 59 runs from the final three overs to snatch victory from Australia
Match Report:
ScorecardShanaka brilliance denies Australia series sweep
Dasun Shanaka has lifted Sri Lanka to a famous victory in the final T20 international against Australia with the national captain playing a knock for the ages in Kandy.
With 59 required from the final three overs in pursuit of Australia's 5-176 on a good Pallekele Stadium surface, the hosts had appeared down and out before Shanaka exploded into life with a jaw-dropping series of blows to finish with an unbeaten 54 from 25 balls.
The right-hander carted Josh Hazlewood, whose first 18 balls had gone for just three runs, for 22 off his final over, then smashed Jhye Richardson's penultimate over of the match for another 18.
Shanaka then rounded on Kane Richardson, who started the final over of the match with consecutive wides.
Image Id: ADD3C3927F714EA6AFF253288F54018E Image Caption: Australia won the series 2-1 // GettyWith the equation down to 15 off four, the skipper went four, four, six before another Richardson wide sealed the incredible victory.
It was a stunning turn of events, with Australia only moments earlier looking to be cruising to a sweep of the T20 series, which finished at 2-1 in favour of the visitors.
Australia's batting innings undulated like the hills that provide a picturesque backdrop to the ground as they scraped together a competitive total thanks to the early work of David Warner (39 off 33 balls) and late cameos from Marcus Stoinis (38 off 23) and Steve Smith (37no off 27).
Hazlewood finished with impressive figures of 2-25 (4) despite his expensive finish.
Image Id: 0043B0262F44451FA9DBCB1A8E2EF23E Image Caption: The Sri Lanka captain hit four sixes in his 25-ball knock // GettyStoinis capped a strong all-round performance with the key scalps of the hosts' two top scorers – Pathum Nissanka (27 off 25) and Charith Asalanka (26 off 19) – as Sri Lanka's middle and lower order again looked to be struggling following a solid foundation set by their top order.
In a similar position to Australia at the halfway mark, Sri Lanka initially stumbled where their rivals had powered on thanks to Stoinis and Smith's late hands that helped them take 38 from the final three overs.
Shanaka, who found support from Chamika Karunaratne (14no off 10), left it late but ultimately won the day, finishing with four sixes and five fours.
Smith declared before the series that he had been freed from the 'Mr Fix-it' tag he believed had been hindering his natural T20 flair but the right-hander completed the substantial repair work required after Glenn Maxwell, Warner and the recalled Josh Inglis were out in consecutive balls.
The sell-out Kandy crowd were sent into raptures during the frenetic mid-innings sequence capped by a bizarre run-out for Inglis, recalled to the T20 side with Mitch Marsh missing with a minor calf strain.
Inglis, after lap-sweeping his first ball and setting off for a run, was spectacularly caught short by Asalanka, who anticipated the shot, ran to the leg-side and threw down the stumps.
Image Id: A8195D659E8F4C02B13C01E385B561BF Image Caption: Recalled Josh Inglis was run out first ball // GettyAaron Finch had won his third toss of the series and, this time electing to bat first, again laid a solid foundation as he and Warner found the fence on 11 occasions, four more times than the rest of their teammates combined, in a 43-run opening stand.
Maxwell was promoted to three to counter Sri Lanka's three-pronged spin attack and duly hit sixes off the second delivery he faced from Maheesh Theekshana (2-25) and the first he got from Wanindu Hasaranga.
Maxwell and Warner looked on track to take Australia to a 200-plus score but their dismissals, plus the run out of Inglis in the space of three balls turned the Aussie innings on its head.
It took some prudent late hitting from Stoinis, Smith and Wade to up the rate in spite of the collapse and take them to a strong total of 5-176 from their 20 overs.
The two teams meet at the same venue on Tuesday in the first of five ODIs.
Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka, 2022
Sri Lanka T20 squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lahiru Madushanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lakshan Sandakan. Standby: Jeffrey Vandersay, Niroshan Dickwella
Australia T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner, Matthew Wade
June 7: Australia won by 10 wickets
June 8: Australia won by three wickets
June 11: Sri Lanka won by four wickets
Sri Lanka ODI squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Niroshan Dickwella, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Madushanka, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan
Australia ODI squad: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner
June 14: First ODI, Kandy, 7pm AEST
June 16: Second ODI, Kandy, 7pm AEST
June 19: Third ODI, Colombo, 7pm AEST
June 21: Fourth ODI, Colombo, 7pm AEST
June 24: Fifth ODI, Colombo, 7pm AEST
Sri Lanka Test squad (provisional): Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamika Karunaratne, Ramesh Mendis, Mohamed Shiraz, Shiran Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lakshitha Rasanjana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suminda Lakshan
Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner
June 29 - July 3: First Test, Galle, 2.30pm AEST
July 8-12: Second Test, Galle, 2.30pm AEST
All Sri Lanka v Australia international fixtures will be screened live on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports
Australia A fixtures
Australia A squad: Scott Boland, Aaron Hardie, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Henry Hunt, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Nic Maddinson, Nathan McAndrew, Todd Murphy, Jimmy Peirson, Josh Philippe, Matt Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Mark Steketee
Sri Lanka A one-day squad: Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Niroshan Dickwella, Lahiru Udara, Lasith Croospulle, Oshada Fernando, Pabasara Waduge, Kamindu Mendis, Ashen Bandara, Janitha Liyanage, Sahan Arachchi, Pulina Tharanga, Dunith Wellalage, Dananjaya Lakshan, Shiran Fernando (will not play due to injury), Dilshan Madushanka, Pramod Madushan, Nishan Madushka, Ashen Daniel,Nisala Tharaka
June 8: Australia A won by seven wickets
June 10: Sri Lanka A won by four wickets
June 14-17: first-class tour match v Sri Lanka A, Hambantota
June 21-24: first-class tour match v Sri Lanka A, Hambantota