Zampa, Faulkner earn consolatory win for Australia

Adelaide [Australia], Feb. 22 (ANI): Leg-spinner Adam Zampa and all-rounder James Faulkner came out with a splendid display of bowling performance as Australia defeated Sri Lanka by 41 runs in the final T20 of the three-match series here at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday. Chasing a mammoth target of 188, the Upul Tharanga-led team were bundled out for 146 in 18 overs, thus handing over Australia the consolatory win, which was also their first in six attempts against Sri Lanka at home. Despite the loss Sri Lanka won the series 2-1. Chasing the target, none of the Sri Lankan batters could bat long with Dilshan Munaweera (37) and Milinda Siriwardana (35) being the top scorers. Both Zampa and Faulkner scalped three-three wickets and broke the backbone of the visitor's batting line-up. Earlier, Australian skipper Aaron Finch (53) and his opening partner Michael Klinger (62) provided the team with a solid 79-run stand and laid the foundation stone for a big first inning score. Travis Head also played a little cameo of 30 runs (including one 4, two sixes) off 16 balls and helped his side reach 187-6. Zampa was declared Man of the Match while Sri Lanka's batsmen Asela Gunaratne, who played pivotal role in his team's victories in the previous two matches, was declared Man of the Series. (ANI)