Sri Lanka held to 139 in T20 v Australia

Sri Lanka have limped to 8-139 as they search for a breakthrough victory over Australia in the fourth match of their Twenty20 series.

Boosted by playing in front of a predominantly Sri Lankan crowd at the MCG, the tourists were sent into bat by Australia captain Aaron Finch.

Opener Pathum Nissanka looked the man most likely for Sri Lanka but could never fully blaze away during his knock of 46 from 40 balls.

Once Nissanka departed in the 16th over, it triggered a collapse of 5-9 as Australia grabbed complete control of the match.

Kane Richardson (2-44) and returning quick Jhye Richardson (2-20) picked up multiple wickets, while Australia's outstanding work in the field led to two run-outs.

Richardson came in for his first game for Australia since the second Test of the Ashes in December, with star quicks Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood resting before the tour of Pakistan.

Australia look set to continue with their experiment of using allrounder Ashton Agar opening the batting with Ben McDermott.

Finch, one of Australia's greatest white-ball openers, is again down to bat at No.3.

Australia are using the last two games to tinker with their line-up to prepare for their Twenty20 World Cup defence in October.