END OF OVER:20 | 9 Runs | SL: 172/5 | RR: 8.60
- Chamara Kapugedera10 (7b)
- Seekkuge Prasanna8 (9b)
- Andrew Tye3-0-32-0
- James Faulkner4-0-27-0
11.18pm Kapugedara, the comeback man, pumps his fist and celebrates with Prasanna. Sri Lanka go 1-0 up. Tharanga nicked behind for a duck, but Dickwella and Munaweera power-hit their way to a 74-run stand to set a strong platform, Asela launched from there and eventually Kapugedara sealed it. In hindsight, Finch could have opted for Head's offspin rather than bringing Stanlake back after he had conceded a 24-run over or used Turner more on this sluggish track.
Finch: Credit to the Sri Lankans. They came out swinging and attacked the chase. When you have the power to hit down the ground and also scoop over the keeper, it is tough to bowl to. I thought Turner gave us a chance there, but unfortunately it did not go our way. I thought we were a bit short. We lacked maybe a 15-plus over. There were a lot of positives too and I am looking forward to Geelong.
Tharanga: Thanks to the Sri Lankan supporters. We have beaten South Africa and Australia - one of the best teams in the world - and it is a good feeling. All the batters enjoyed the game. Fielding is the area where we have to improve. The bowlers, though, did well to keep them to 168.
Asela Gunaratne is the Player of the Match
That is all we have for you from this match. Dan Brettig's report will tell you the full story. Until next time, goodbye and good night.
SL need 1 off the last ball. Silly mid-on silly mid-off in place. Finch directing the traffic at the MCG
It has boiled down to 6 off 6 balls. Tye to bowl the last over. Third man back. Mid-off is in the circle
END OF OVER:19 | 6 Runs | SL: 163/5 (6 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 8.57, RRR: 6.00)
- Seekkuge Prasanna7 (6b)
- Chamara Kapugedera3 (4b)
- James Faulkner4-0-27-0
- Ashton Turner2-0-12-2
Aashish Calla: "Kapugedera again! This is what, his 25th comeback to the SL team, or is it the 26th??"
SL need 12 off 12 balls.
END OF OVER:18 | 6 Runs 2 Wkts | SL: 157/5 (12 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 8.72, RRR: 6.00)
- Seekkuge Prasanna5 (3b)
- Chamara Kapugedera1 (1b)
- Ashton Turner2-0-12-2
- Pat Cummins4-0-29-1
Prasanna joins Kapu
Minesh: "Turner is turning the match suddenly..."
TAM Siriwardana lbw b Turner 15 (35m 11b 1x4 0x6) SR: 136.36
Kapugedara...
DAS Gunaratne st †Paine b Turner 52 (41m 37b 7x4 0x6) SR: 140.54
Turner. Around the wicket
END OF OVER:17 | 11 Runs | SL: 151/3 (18 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.88, RRR: 6.00)
- Asela Gunaratne52 (36b)
- Milinda Siriwardana15 (10b)
- Pat Cummins4-0-29-1
- James Faulkner3-0-22-0
Duriyodhana: "How crucial were those Lasith Malinga wickets? This just shows that Sri Lanka might look deadly again in T20s with his comeback!!!"