Sri Lanka vs Australia 2017: 2nd T20, 5 Talking Points

A sensational final over saw Asela Gunaratne help Sri Lanka over the line in the second T20 against Australia. Sri Lanka wrapped up the three-match series 2-0 courtesy an excellent half-century from the all-rounder.

Batting first, Australia made a fighting total of 173 in 20 overs courtesy fine knocks from Michael Klinger, Ben Dunk and Moises Henriques. Kulasekara was the best bowler on display for Lanka picking up four wickets and triggering a lower-order collapse with three wickets in one over.

Sri Lanka did not start well and were 40/5 before Gunaratne and Chamara Kapugedara revived them in a 52-run stand. From there on it was a Gunaratne show. The all-rounder plummeted 84 in just 46 balls, smacking five maximums, the last of which came in the final over from Andrew Tye which went for 16.

Brief Scores: Australia 173/10 in 20 overs (Henriques 56, Kulasekara 4/31) lost to Sri Lanka 176/8 in 20 overs (Gunaratne 84, Tye 3/37)

Take a glance at the talking points from the second T20 at Victoria.

---

#5 Henriques comes good

Moises Henriques has been in and out of Australian teams, always confined to being the reserve player. In the absence of some of their star players, however, Henriques had more leeway and stamped his class with a superb half-century.

The all-rounder from New South Wales walked in with Australia having already a set platform and went about his business calmly. His first boundary was a maximum over square leg off Gunaratne.

Once he started losing partners, Henriques went on the attack, pulling Vikum Sanjaya for a six over square leg and subsequently reaching his half-century off a mere 33 balls.

#4 Kulasekara finds much-needed form

Kulasekara picked up three in his final over

Nuwan Kulasekara is one of the most experienced fast bowlers Sri Lanka possess. The veteran is more than a handful in favourable conditions and can swing the ball either way.

He went wicketkeeping his first two overs and conceded 22 runs to a belligerent Michael Klinger. However, his 15th over cost just six runs and yielded the wicket of Travis Head. But Kulasekara had reserved his best for last.

Bowling the final over of the game, the seamer picked up three wickets and conceded just three runs to give Sri Lanka some momentum going into the chase. His scalps were Pat Cummins, Andrew Tye and Jhye Richardson.

#3 Ben Dunk justifies late faith in him

Ben Dunk showed why he is such a valued player in T20s

When the second string Australian squad for the T20 series against Sri Lanka was announced, there was a shocking exclusion. Ben Dunk, the highest run scorer of the 2016/17 Big Bash was left out of what was a virtual Australia A team.

Critics were quick to lash out at the selectors. But as fate would have it, Chris Lynn suffered an injury and Ben Dunk was drafted in. The wicket-keeper batsman slammed a 14 ball 32 today at Victoria to silence his critics.

Dunk was at his best against Dilshan Munaweera in the final over of the powerplay, slamming three sixes off four balls after a boundary off the first ball of the over. He was, however, cleaned up by Gunaratne in the next over.

#2 Gunaratne stepping up in Mathews' absence

Gunaratne has been in terrific touch for the Sri Lankans

Asela Gunaratne has been in great nick for the Sri Lankans. A hundred in the final ODI against the Proteas gave him some momentum and he carried that form to Australia, where he slammed a half-century in the first T20.

Not satisfied with that, the all-rounder single-handedly led Sri Lanka in a chase of 174. With his team in dire straits at 40/5, Gunaratne stepped up and played some outrageous strokes en route to another magnificent half-century.

Gunaratne's form has seen him nail down the finisher's slot in the limited over squads.

#1 Andrew Tye's contrasting final overs yield same results

Tye could not seal the game for Australia in the final over

Two days ago, Andrew Tye sent down a superb final over when he needed to defend just six runs. He could not quite do the job, but showed how good a bowler he is at the death by mixing up his pace and not giving away easy runs.

Today, he had 14 to defend and had Kulasekara back in the hut off his very first ball. Gunaratne slammed him for a four off the next and followed it up with a maximum to put Sri Lanka in command.

The all-rounder sealed the game with a boundary off the last ball as Tye went for 16. The Western Australian is still new to the international scene and such crunch situations will only make him a better and wiser cricketer.