Kane Richardson’s 3-21, followed by a 50-run stand between Glenn Maxwell (39) and Aaron Finch (35), helped Australia beat Sri Lanka by six wickets in the third T20I in Canberra and secure an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Pathum Nissanka and Danushka Gunathilaka added 17 in two overs after Finch asked them to bat, but Richardson struck twice in the third over to reduce Sri Lanka to 23/2. Kusal Mendis and Nissanka struggled to get going before falling to Ashton Agar and Glenn Maxwell respectively, in the seventh and eighth overs.
Dinesh Chandimal (25) and Dasun Shanaka (39*) rebuilt the innings, adding 47 for the fifth wicket, but Sri Lanka’s scoring rate never threatened Australia. They closed on 121/6, with Shanaka unbeaten on 39 from 38 balls,.
Coming to defend, Maheesh Theekshana removed Ben McDermott with the first ball of Australia's innings. Agar and Finch added 26 in 27 balls before the former was pinned leg before by Theekshana.
But Maxwell and Finch provided the resistance Australia required. They raced to 76/2 in 10.3 overs until Theekshana (3-24) dismissed Maxwell. Australia needed 46 in 56 balls at that point. Josh Inglis (21*) and Marcus Stoinis (12*) saw off the target inside 17 overs.
The two teams will again meet on 18 February in Melbourne.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 121/6 in 20 overs (Dasun Shanaka 39*; Kane Richardson 3-21) lost to Australia 124/4 in 16.5 overs (Glenn Maxwell 39; Maheesh Theekshana 3-24) by 6 wickets with 19 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Kane Richardson.