Australia news: Josh Inglis impresses skipper in another win

Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell powered Australia to a six-wicket win and their fourth straight Twenty20 victory over Sri Lanka at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

Australia hauled in the target of 139 for the loss of four wickets with 11 balls to spare.

Inglis blasted 40 off 20 balls while Maxwell stroked a composed 48 off 39.

“Josh has been so impressive, he’s got so many options around the ground, he’s so hard to bowl to,” said skipper Aaron Finch.

“Because Inglis got off to such a flyer, he (Maxwell) was able to just sit back and play second fiddle, which he doesn’t do very often. To see him play a mature role and get us over the line was humbling.”

Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc were all rested for the encounter.

Jhye Richardson, Daniel Sams and Kane Richardson shouldered the pace load.

Pathum Nissanka made 46 for Sri Lanka, but the opener lacked support as tidy bowling from spinners Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa blunted their charge.

A late collapse saw six wickets fall for 12 runs in 21 deliveries.

“There are a few positives, but again, not enough runs on the board,” said Sri Lanka captain Dusan Shanaka. “Hopefully we’ll come back better in the next game and pull out a win.”

Australia once again elevated Agar to open with Ben McDermott in the run chase.

McDermott looked comfortable but was caught and bowled by Maheesh Theekshana for nine as Australia crawled to 22 for one from the first five overs.

Finch came in at three, and with Agar struggling to get the scoreboard moving, went for a big hit off Lahiru Kumara and was caught near the boundary for two.

Agar decided to get his slog on but also fell to Kumara for 26 as Australia reached 64 for three at the halfway mark, needing 76 off the last 10