Cricket is still on. Who knew? And Australia has taken an unfamiliar-looking team into the first of three Twenty20 internationals against Sri Lanka, headed by 36-year-old batsman Michael Klinger.
At least half of the regular Australian T20 team is unavailable due to commitments in India, as the Test squad prepares for a four-match series. That has opened the door for the likes of Klinger, who takes his place in the line-up alongside fellow debutant, all-rounder Ashton Turner.
While the Test team has opted for a youth policy, the T20 policy appears to be picking players who showed form in the Big Bash, as it should be. Klinger was third-top run scorer in BBL06 with 334 runs, as his Perth Scorchers won the title.
Klinger started brightly on Friday night to, racing to 28 off his first 16 balls before he was roped in a little, eventually being dismissed for 38 off 32 balls.
Sandakan gets the breakthrough as Klinger is caught by Malinga for 38. Australia 1-76 (10.3) #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/V818ND9JQu
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) 17 de fevereiro de 2017
Stand-in Aussie skipper Aaron Finch made a brisk 43. You don't see many bigger hits at the MCG than this.
Gee whiz that's a serious hit from Aaron Finch! #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/QX9lWUiYwZ
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) 17 de fevereiro de 2017
Progress was a little sluggish in the middle overs. Australia took until the 15th over to reach 100. Things would have been worse if Sri Lanka had held their catches.
Dear oh dear... #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/nY0OhTwHk4
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) 17 de fevereiro de 2017
Moises Henriques sped things up briefly before departing for 17 off 10.
SHOT! #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/PooD7egxAb
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) 17 de fevereiro de 2017
Australia was 3/139 after the 17th over with Travis Head and Ashton Turner at the crease.
We'll update this as the match progresses. The full scorecard is here.