Australia vs Sri Lanka: Aussies take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series

In what was assumed to be the most likely result in the lead-up to the three-match T20I series, Australia comfortably beat Sri Lanka to go 2-0 up in the series with one game still to go. 

Sri Lanka were no match to the mighty Aussies and were thrashed convincingly by nine wickets at Gabba in Brisbane. 

After winning the toss for the second consecutive time, Lasith Malinga decided to bat first after his decision to bowl first in the first T20I was widely criticized. The tourists went unchanged while Australia brought Billy Stanlake in place of Mitchell Starc. 

Batting first, Sri Lanka were off to an awful start as Kusal Mendis was back in the hut due to a miscommunication with his partner Danushka Gunathilaka. Mendis followed him soon after playing some fancy shots. 

The duo of Avishka Fernando and Kusal Perera got together to resurrect the damage but the former mistimed a lofted shot to find his side reeling at 53/3 inside nine overs. Thereafter, it was a flurry of wickets as Sri Lanka never got the momentum to build any partnership. 

There was some reckless batting at display along with some smart bowling by the Aussies, which accounted for their downfall. The lower order did try to muster as many runs as possible but the Australian attack and the huge ground made it difficult for them to find boundaries. 

In the end, the visitors were eventually bowled out for 117 in just 19 overs. 

Chasing a modest total of 118, Australia lost the early wicket of skipper Aaron Finch, who scored a golden duck. However, it was a one-way traffic thereafter, as the duo of David Warner and Steve Smith didn't allow the Lankan bowlers to make any inroads in their batting order.  

The home team cruised their way to the target in merely 13 overs. It was an easy win in the end as Warner once again put up a show with his unbeaten 60, while Smith remained not out with his crafty 53 off just 36 deliveries. 

Warner, for the second consecutive time in the series, was awarded the Man of the match. The hosts now lead the series 2-0 with the last T20I to be played at the historic ground in Melbourne on November 1

The Malinga  led side would want to claim a solitary win and return home with some pride to savor in the last T20I.