10.23 pm So a seven-wicket win for Australia and a solid net run rate boost for them thanks largely to Stoinis, who is all smiles after an Australia record-setting T20I fifty.
Player of the Match goes to Marcus Stoinis presented by Daren Sammy. Here's Stoinis: "Ronny said to have a look at the quicks because it was doing a bit and if I felt comfortable then to have a go at the spinners. Once I got in, the plan was just to keep going. To be honest I was really nervous today being at home in Perth with lots of family and friends here but really happy we put on a bit of a clinic today. Mentally I was nice and fresh having some time off with this side strain, but so far so good. I felt good. We played here the other day against England and it was a beautiful wicket. This did look like it was doing a little bit more, especially against the new ball. It's a beautiful ground, probably the best ground in Australia if not the world. We've wrapped this game up and look forward to playing England at the MCG. They're obviously a very good team so we'll do our homework again, rest up, get on our flight tomorrow and then go from there."
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka: "We started really well and we finished well. In the middle phase we didn't get going and we could have missed 15-20 runs in the game. [On team fitness] I think the fast bowlers especially are not prepared well. They are coming after injury so I think that's the reason behind them getting injured most of the time. It was really tough with the new ball. It's too hard to get going. Even Finch struggled with the new ball. It was the latter part that they played really well. [Asked to give his team marks out of 10] Maybe 5 or 4."
Australia captain Aaron Finch: "Very happy [with the win]. Obviously my innings was unusual. It was poor. I just couldn't hit the ball. But I thought the way that we approached it with the bat was fine. We knew the first four or five overs with the ball, especially with Kumara nipping it around - it was seaming a long way there - so if we could get through that none or one down then it was going to be really important to set up the back end of the innings. It would've been nice if I could've kicked on earlier and made the chase a bit easier but all in all, pretty clinical, I think with the ball as well. [After the Powerplay] They bowled a hard length. It was tough. It's such a big ground that you feel as though it's hard to just stand and deliver. Especially with a bit of extra bounce and when the ball is seaming slightly, you feel it's just not quite as easy to hit the middle of the bat. That's no excuse for the way I played but it's nice to get two points. [On Stoinis] It was a pretty special innings. To come out with that intent is the main thing. When you walk out to bat and you have that presence at the crease, that's half the battle in T20 cricket. When you have the skill and the strength that he's got, that's a pretty good combo. [Playing England at the MCG] It's always a great event. Any format of the game, anywhere in the world, it's pretty special so we're looking forward to it."
That's it for tonight's live coverage. On behalf of Ekanth and the scoring team, I'm Peter Della Penna. Come back for tomorrow's doubleheader when England takes on Ireland followed by Afghanistan vs New Zealand. Until then, take care!
Malik Murad: "Unbelievable shots by Stoinis. Super Natural! "
That fan is feeling like he's just created a Cricto moment.
Just a reminder that moments like that crowd catch off the Stoinis six could be one of the Crictos of the Game. If you want to sign up to own Crictos from the next game, you can head over to our digital collectibles affiliates FanCraze and join the queue.
