Sri Lanka scores thrilling T20 win vs Aust

The MCG became a mini-Colombo as Sri Lanka pulled off an exciting consolation victory in the fifth and final match of their Twenty20 series against Australia.

Heading into Sunday's match down 4-0, Sri Lanka were lifted to a thrilling five-wicket win thanks to a sublime unbeaten 69 from star batter Kusal Mendis.

Despite some hiccups, including two diabolical run-outs, Sri Lanka sneaked past Australia's total of 6-154 with just one ball to spare.

It was opener Mendis' third-best T20I score and he received solid support from captain Dasun Shanaka (35) in a 83-run partnership.

Shanaka made the result a certainty when he hooked quick Kane Richardson for a giant six with three balls to go, levelling the scores.

He was bowled the next ball but Chamika Karunaratne was able to bring up the winning run after hitting Daniel Sams, who replaced an injured Richardson, away to square leg.

It means the Australian men's team fell just short of completing an undefeated international summer, with this loss going alongside the drawn Ashes Test at the SCG as a blemish.

The tourists enjoyed the bulk of the support from the crowd, with the Sri Lankan community in Melbourne turning out in droves.

Like Friday night's contest, Sri Lankan fans packed out the Ponsford Stand at the city end of the ground to create an electric atmosphere amid a crowd of just 17,566.

Matthew Wade top-scored for Australia, smashing an unbeaten 43 from 27 balls to boost the home side after a sluggish start.

"I thought we hung in there really nicely and those games kind of go your way or they don't," Wade said.

"The role I'm playing now, opportunities aren't going to come in thick and fast - it was in the same in the World Cup and it will be the same in the next few