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    Klinger impresses on international debut despite defeat

    17 February 2017

    Michael Klinger produced an impressive batting display on his International debut, but couldn't prevent Sri Lanka winning a last ball thriller.

    Sri Lankan paceman Lasith Malinga celebrated his return to international cricket with two wickets and two catches in Friday night's T20 clash.

    Malinga was on a hat-trick before Australia reached 6-168 from 20 overs. Australian captain Aaron Finch top-scored with 43 and reached the milestone of 1000 T20 international runs.

    It was a milestone night for Australians Michael Klinger, Ashton Turner and Billy Stanlake and Sri Lankan Vikum Sanjaya, who made their T20 international debuts. Gloucestershire's Andrew Tye also featured for the Australians.

    The match was played in front of 35,000 spectators at Melbourne Cricket Ground where Michael grew up.  Ahead of the fixture Klinger said: “The way it’s worked out it’s back in my original home town in Melbourne.  A lot of family and friends will be around so it’s great.”

    Klinger, at 36 the oldest Australian T20 international debutant, combined with Finch for a solid opening partnership after Sri Lanka won the toss. They took Australia to 76 in the 11th over before Malinga caught him at deep third man off the bowling of Lakshan Sandakan for 38 from 32 balls.

    The following over, Asela Gunaratne was brought on and Finch greeted him with a booming six that went 20 rows back into the Southern Stand. But two balls later, Finch skied an edge to Malinga.

    Sri Lanka could have tightened the screws further with three wickets in as many overs, but captain Upul Tharanga dropped a straightforward chance offered by Travis Head when he had only made four. "It was a good time to drop a catch," Australian coach Justin Langer noted during the match telecast. Head made 31 from 23 balls before the left-hander holed out to Seekugge Prasanna off Malinga's bowling.

    The next ball, right-hander Moises Henriques was caught by the same fielder at deep square leg for 17. James Faulkner, who made 14no, survived the hat-trick ball.

    Australia XI: Aaron Finch (c), Michael Klinger, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Ashton Turner, Tim Paine (wk), James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Andrew Tye, Billy Stanlake

    Sri Lanka XI: Dickwella, Malinga, Munaweera, Tharanga, Gunaratne, Prasanna, Sanjaya, Siriwardana, Kapugedara, Kulasekara, Sandakan

    Join Michael Klinger for the 2017 summer with a Gloucestershire Cricket membership. Click here for more information.

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