Australia beat Sri Lanka by 20 runs on the D/L in a rain interrupted first of five T20s at the Sydney Cricket Grounds on Friday. Put into bat, Australia made 149 for 9 wickets in 20 overs and restricted Sri Lanka to 122 for 8 in the revised 19 overs.

Australia’s victory was built around Ben McDermott’s 41-ball 53 cameo fronted by 3 sixes and 2 fours with Marcus Stonis striking a brisk 30 off 17 with 2 sixes and boundaries apiece. Josh Inglis kept up the momentum striking 23 off 18 with 3 fours. Wanindu Hasaranga picked 3 wickets for 38 for Sri Lanka followed by Binura Fernando 2 for 12 and Chamika Karunaratne 2 for 22.

Sri Lanka’s run chase was fronted by opening batsman Pathum Nissanka’s run a ball 36 inclusive of 5 fours and a six, but Josh Hazlewood proved too much for the Lankan frontline in a 4 for 12 burst. Adam Zampa took 3 for 18.

Sri Lanka lost the initiative despite a 43-run third-wicket partnership off 41 balls between Nissanka and Charith Asalanka who made 16 off 19 with 2 fours. Dinesh Chandimal at No.7 revived the Lankan innings with an unbeaten 25 off 16 with 3 boundaries and a six, but lacked the desired support with Wanindu Hasaranga falling for 11.