Australia v Sri Lanka: Southern Stars seal T20 series with class

Australia have absolutely annhilated Sri Lanka to seal their Twenty20 series in the most dominant fashion possible.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Tayla Vlaeminck (L) and Ellyse Perry (R) of Australia celebrate victory with team mates after game two of the Women's Twenty20 International Series between Australia and Sri Lanka at North Sydney Oval on September 30, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

• Aussies off to strong start in Sri Lanka series
• Jonassen leads final rout in West Indies clean sweep

The gulf in class was clear as Australia romped to a one-sided nine-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the second Twenty20 international on Monday at North Sydney Oval, wrapping up the three-match series in the process.

Sri Lanka showed plenty of promise in a 41-run defeat on Sunday, but the world champions turned on the class to reach 1-87 and pass the visitors’ modest 8-84 with 10.2 overs to spare.

Openers Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney appeared intent on overhauling the Sri Lankan total as quickly as possible, putting on 38 for the first wicket.

Live stream the Australia v Sri Lanka Women’s T20 & ODI Series with KAYO SPORTS on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14-day free trial >

Beth Mooney backed up her first-game century with another solid knock. Picture: Getty

Healy crunched 21 off 15 balls before she fell victim to a classic running catch in the deep from Nilakshi de Silva.

Mooney followed up her 113 on Sunday with a confident unbeaten 28, while Erin Burns ended on 30 not out.

Ashleigh Gardner was omitted from Australia’s side with a hamstring strain along with Delissa Kimmince, allowing Heather Graham and Burns to come into the XI as the Aussies rotated their side ahead of a busy domestic schedule.

Erin Burns (L) and Beth Mooney (R) steered Australia to victory. Picture: Getty

Sri Lanka won the toss and batted first with the hope that captain Chamari Athapaththu could reprise her big-hitting century from the first match, but the visitors’ star batter was instead run out by a superb Georgia Wareham throw for 16.

Tight bowling kept the Sri Lankans on the back foot from the outset inching their way to 3-38 at the halfway point of the innings.

Such was Australia’s dominance Sri Lanka’s top score was just 19 from Sashikala Siriwardena, while Ama Kanchana chipped in with 16 not out down the order.

Tayla Vlaeminck sents down a thunderbolt for Australia. Picture: Getty

Ellyse Perry took the bowling honours with 2-21, while Nicola Carey showed great control to return 1-9 off four overs, while Wareham claimed 1-8 off three.

Tayla Vlaeminck (1-13) and Megan Schutt (1-15) were equally impressive.

Originally published as Australia v Sri Lanka: Southern Stars seal T20 series with class