Top 5 T20Is of 2017

#1 Australia vs Sri Lanka – Geelong

Asela Gunaratne was brilliant in the 3-match series

The 3-match T20I series between Australia and Sri Lanka drew a lot of criticism for its scheduling. With Australia slated to play India (in India) on the 22nd of February (1st Test), this series started on the 17th of February. Thus, with the Test team already in India, the Australian selectors picked a second string for the T20I series against Sri Lanka.

Despite all the criticism the series got, it produced one of the best T20I matches this year. Sri Lanka managed to sneak a win on the last ball (chasing 169) at the MCG in the first T20I to gain a 1-0 lead.

They then opted to field first after winning the toss and managed to get skipper Aaron Finch out early. Michael Klinger (43) and Ben Dunk (32) ensured the hosts got off to a solid start. However, Sri Lanka managed to claw their way back into the game, picking wickets at regular intervals. But Moises Henriques held one end firm and scored a brilliant 37-ball 56 to help the Aussies reach 173 in their 20 overs.

Chasing 174, the visitors got off to a disastrous start, slipping to 40/5 in the 5th over. The game seemed almost over at that stage. But Asela Gunaratne, who had scored a match-winning 52 in the first game, joined hands with the experienced Chamara Kapugedera. They got Sri Lanka’s innings back on track with a 52-run stand.

But Kapugedera’s dismissal for a run-a-ball 32 opened the floodgates. At 119/7 with 55 needed off 28 balls, the game seemed done and dusted. But Gunaratne put his head down and started finding the fence to keep the scoreboard moving.

36 runs were required off the final two overs. The 31-year-old all-rounder from Kandy then took a chance which paid off. Henriques bowled the penultimate over and was taken for 22 runs by Gunaratne (which included 2 fours and 2 sixes) and the equation reduced to 14 off the final over.

In the last over, the visitors lost a wicket off the first delivery but Gunaratne managed to get 10 runs (a four and a six), reducing the equation to 4 off 3 balls. Gunaratne and Malinga then managed to eke out two singles. With two required off the final delivery, there was tension all around, but Gunaratne held his nerve and struck a boundary to give Sri Lanka a memorable series win.

Brief Scores: Australia 173 (Henriques 56, Klinger 43, Kulasekara 4-31, Malinga 2/31) lost to Sri Lanka 8 for 176 (Gunaratne 84*, Kapugedera 32, Tye 3-37, Faulkner 2/32)