Aussies stifle Sri Lanka in third T20

Australia's bowlers have fired the hosts into a match-winning position, restricting Sri Lanka to 6-121 in their third T20 clash at Manuka Oval.

Kane Richardson led the way with 3-21 and found plenty of help from all of his teammates as Aaron Finch's men kept a tight grip throughout the innings.

At one stage Sri Lanka went six overs between boundaries with an unbeaten 39 from captain Dasun Shanaka their most telling contribution.

The tourists failed to capitalise on their early flyer after Pathum Nissanka pulled Mitchell Starc for four and Danushka Gunathilaka did the same to Josh Hazelwood to race to 0-17 from two overs.

But Richardson struck with his first ball as Gunathilaka chipped one to leg slip and claimed his second wicket later in the over when Charith Asalanka nicked one to the keeper the ball after smacking a a huge six.

Having steadied somewhat to 2-38, Ashton Agar caught and bowled Kusal Mendis before a sublime diving effort in the outfield from Daniel Sams saw Nissanka go for 16.

Sri Lanka reached the halfway mark at 4-51 but struggled to find any momentum, going 36 balls without a boundary in crawling to 4-76 off 15 overs.

Richardson made it three by knocking over Dinesh Chandimal for 25, but Shanaka did his best to add some respectability to the score with his innings that included five boundaries.

Agar's stifling bowling was vital in maintaining a low total, finishing with tidy figures of 1-14 from his four overs.