<p>Australia defeated Sri Lanka by 20 runs in its first Twenty20 match since capturing the T20 World Cup last November in the United Arab Emirates.</p>.<p>Sri Lanka finished with 122 runs for eight wickets on Friday after Australia scored 149-9 after Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and sent the home side in to bat.</p>.<p>Sri Lanka's required run total was adjusted under the Duckworth-Lewis system due to a short rain delay that reduced the visitors' overs to 19.</p>.<p>Josh Hazlewood led Australia with four wickets for 12 runs in his four overs while Adam Zampa took 3-18.</p>.<p>The teams play again on Sunday at the SCG in the second game of the five-match series.</p>.<p>In the Australian innings, Ben McDermott carried his impressive Big Bash form into the first T20 international to help the hosts set Sri Lanka a moderate initial target of 150, later reduced to 143 due to the rain delay.</p>.<p>McDermott recorded his first half-century at international level with 53 from 41 balls before falling lbw to Chamika Karunaratne.</p>.<p>McDermott, who replaced the rested David Warner as captain Aaron Finch's opening partner, was restricted in the opening stages but began to find his groove.</p>.<p>Finch went cheaply but McDermott, who averaged 48 in the T20 Big Bash, built a hard-fought 50-run partnership with Josh Inglis (23).</p>.<p>“It was an unbelievable performance from our bowlers," Finch said.</p>.<p>Sri Lanka has not beaten Australia in T20 cricket since 2017.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH videos:</strong></p>
<p>Australia defeated Sri Lanka by 20 runs in its first Twenty20 match since capturing the T20 World Cup last November in the United Arab Emirates.</p>.<p>Sri Lanka finished with 122 runs for eight wickets on Friday after Australia scored 149-9 after Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and sent the home side in to bat.</p>.<p>Sri Lanka's required run total was adjusted under the Duckworth-Lewis system due to a short rain delay that reduced the visitors' overs to 19.</p>.<p>Josh Hazlewood led Australia with four wickets for 12 runs in his four overs while Adam Zampa took 3-18.</p>.<p>The teams play again on Sunday at the SCG in the second game of the five-match series.</p>.<p>In the Australian innings, Ben McDermott carried his impressive Big Bash form into the first T20 international to help the hosts set Sri Lanka a moderate initial target of 150, later reduced to 143 due to the rain delay.</p>.<p>McDermott recorded his first half-century at international level with 53 from 41 balls before falling lbw to Chamika Karunaratne.</p>.<p>McDermott, who replaced the rested David Warner as captain Aaron Finch's opening partner, was restricted in the opening stages but began to find his groove.</p>.<p>Finch went cheaply but McDermott, who averaged 48 in the T20 Big Bash, built a hard-fought 50-run partnership with Josh Inglis (23).</p>.<p>“It was an unbelievable performance from our bowlers," Finch said.</p>.<p>Sri Lanka has not beaten Australia in T20 cricket since 2017.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH videos:</strong></p>