Michael Klinger achieved his first ever T20I half-century Getty Images
Michael Klinger achieved his first ever T20I half-century Getty Images

Sri Lanka’s tour of Australia ended on a sour note with the home side snatching the third and final Twenty20 International (T20I) game. Leading 2-0, the visitors put Australia in to bat first after winning the toss The first innings saw some ferocious and calculated batsmanship on display. In reply, it was Adam Zampa, who spun a web around the Lankan Lions that caught them unguarded. An admirable bowling show in accordance with a batting collapse saw Australia avoid a dreaded series clean sweep as Sri Lanka clinched the series 2-1 in their favor. Let us have a read into some of the highlights from the eventful tie. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Australia vs Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I at Adelaide

Michael Klinger’s maiden fifty – Already being handed an international cap late in his career, Klinger showed his batting exploits in his debut game itself. After having a classy 43 in the second match, he showed why is a household name in the T20 format in Australia . Starting slow with the bat, Klinger got into his groove quickly and ensured Australia were never behind the eight ball.

Klinger found his mojo towards the far end of the Australian innings that saw him secure his maiden half century with a boundary. Klinger’s knock laid ground work for Travis Head and Ben Dunk to score freely.

Aaron Finch’s seventh 50 – Finch’s form in the series has been up and down as after making 43 at Melbourne, he only managed 12 at Geelong. It was the perfect chance for Finch to make amends and help his side avoid another loss. After being dropped on 0, he never looked back. Finch’s attack on opposition fast bowlers was quite demoralising for the visitors. He surged his way to his seventh T20I half-century in 30 balls off a massive six over midwicket only to depart the next ball.

The Head and Dunk show – Both Travis Head and Ben Dunk used their power hitting to good effect against Sri Lanka at Adelaide. Known to be a smasher of the cricket ball, Dunk slammed his way to a 21-ball 28. His innings included two massive sixes and as many fours.

Head, after Dunk’s dismissal, continued his merry ways. To his credit, Head cracked two sixes and a boundary off Lasith Malinga in the same over. He departed after making 30 off 16 balls.

Dilshan Munaweera’s onslaught – Asked to chase 188 runs, Dilshan Munaweera wasted no-time in revving up his engines. The young-lad hammered Jhye Richardson for 17 runs in his first over. Munaweera did survive on the score of 20, only to add a couple of boundaries to his name. Under pressure of a massive chase and seeing his teammates collapse left, right and centre, Munaweera got out after making just 37 off 25.

Adam Zampa’s trickery – Adam Zampa, who came in for the expensive Andrew Tye, showed why he is a must in the Australian T20 set-up. After giving 6 runs in his first over, Zampa used his wizardry to stop Sri Lanka s hero in last two games Asela Gunaratne. He struck in his next over twice that saw Sri Lankan middle order fall like a pack of cards.

Chamara Kapugedera misjudged a faster one to be bowled between bat and pad, while Dasun Shanaka did not read a flipper.