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SRI LANKA 300/7 (50 OVERS)
- Kusal Mendis*86 (87)
- Pathum Nissanka56 (68)
- Ashton Agar2/49 (10)
- Marnus Labuschagne2/19 (3)
AUSTRALIA 282/8 (42.3 OVERS)
- Steven Smith53 (60)
- Glenn Maxwell*80 (51)
- Wanindu Hasaranga4/58 (9)
- Dunith Wellalage2/49 (7)
Scorer: @Thilak_Rama | Commentator: Madushka Balasuriya
And on that note, it's all from us. For myself, Gnasher and the team, thanks for tuning in. Next game's on the 16th Thursday, also at Pallekele, but until then it's goodbye from us!
Australian captain Aaron Finch: "It was a very good game of cricket. That innings by Maxwell, that was pure class. Showed a lot of skill, lot of game smarts as well. Fantastic chase. We were always one wicket behind where we would have liked to have been. We were always two or three down, when we would have liked to have been able to build a partnership. But that was an extraordinary innings from Maxwell, and Steve Smith played a really nice innings as well. Few more partnerships through the middle overs would have been ideal, but still great to get a win. I think the last two games we've been put under a lot of pressure at the death. Execution has been off and maybe our plans have been slightly off as well, but when you have good batters at the back end of an innings, it's always hard to stop."
SL captain Dasun Shanaka: "I think both the teams played really well. I think our bowling went wrong today, lots of short balls and full tosses. But credit to their batters, they batted really well and they're experienced. So they read the game really well and finished it off. I'm very happy with the runs on the board. 300+ is usually a winning total. Wanindu's injury is one from a while back, so I think he'll be okay. Let's see. [Dunith Wellalage] is a very good cricketer. I have seen him performing through the under-19 level so I think he'll deliver in the future for us."
Glen Maxwell is the Man of the Match: "Certainly is [a satisfying knock], coming in when I did. There were a few wickets down and we were under a bit of pressure. To be able to hold together at the end and play, as Ronnie just said, one of my 'smarter innings,' is nice. And when conditions aren't as favourable for the batting side, that was really pleasing. I was just trying to stay out there as long as I could. I knew I was going to get balls to score off in my areas at some stage, and I was just trying to take risks at the right time. I think when the left arm spinner came back on, I think there was only three overs left, I think that was a good opportunity to try and get the run rate down under six, and then try and do it in the next over without letting it get to the last over. Because all sorts of chaos could happen in the last. [The reverse sweep] is something I've practiced. It's not a fluke. I've worked on it really hard over the years, and to be able to rely on it, even in conditions where it's spinning, it's nice to have that skill."
Post match presentation is up next.
11.32pm So Maxwell ends up unbeaten on 80 off just 51 deliveries, staying through to the end to ensure there would be no late jitters despite Sri Lanka's best efforts. The rain delay had made Australia's task a little steeper, but they never let the runrate get out of hand. It was first Smith and Finch and then Smith and Labuschagne. And then when Smith fell, Stoinis took on the responsibility along with Carey. Maxwell then joined the fray and he and Carey looked to have things under control, until Hasaranga struck on his way to figures of 4 for 58. Maxwell though was still around, didn't panic, and in the end saw the game through. Sri Lanka though can be proud of their performance; the 300 they put up required Australia to complete their highest ever chase in Sri Lanka. That innings was set up by a solid opening stand, a great anchor innings from Kusal Mendis who scored and 87-ball 86, and then a blistering flourish from that man Hasaranga again at the death. On most days it would have been enough, but Maxwell and Australia were just too good on the day.
Australia and Maxwell two hits away from victory now. 12 needed off 12. Chameera with the ball.
vijay: "Maxwell, the Partypooper for SL tonight..." Definitely looking that way, Vijay.
END OF OVER:42 | 11 Runs | AUS: 270/8 (12 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 6.42, RRR: 6.00)
- Jhye Richardson1 (3b)
- Glenn Maxwell68 (48b)
- Dunith Wellalage7-0-49-2
- Dushmantha Chameera7-0-48-0
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