Sri Lanka's new skipper Upul Tharanga won the toss and chose to bowl in the opening Twenty20 international against Australia in Melbourne on Friday.

Australia, with their leading players embarking on a Test series in India, named three T20I debutants, Michael Klinger, Billy Stanlake and Ashton Turner.

Vikum Sanjaya, who captured three wickets in the lead-up tour game against the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra, was selected to make his international debut for Sri Lanka.

Paceman Lasith Malinga, who last played an international a year ago because of injury, was also in the Sri Lankan line-up.

Teams

Australia: Aaron Finch (capt), Michael Klinger, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Ashton Turner, Tim Paine, James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Andrew Tye, Billy Stanlake.

Sri Lanka: Niroshan Dickwella, Upul Tharanga (capt), Dilshan Munaweera, Asela Gunaratne, Milinda Siriwardana, Chamara Kapugedera, Seekkugge Prasanna, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Vikum Sanjaya, Lakshan Sandakan.

Umpires: Mick Martell (AUS), Paul Wilson (AUS)

Third umpire: Sam Nogajski (AUS)

Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)

source: AFP