Michael Klinger, Aaron Finch and Adam Zampa played pivotal roles as Australia avoided a series whitewash against Sri Lanka with a 41-run win in the third and final Twenty20 international.

Sri Lanka had snatched last-ball victories in each of the first two matches, but could not repeat the feat in Adelaide on Wednesday, falling to 146 all out in response to Australia's 187-6.

Finch was dropped by Dilshan Munaweera in the first over before he had scored and went on to strike five fours and three sixes in his 53 from 32 balls.

Klinger's 62 from 43 marked his maiden international half-century before a late flurry of wickets meant Australia finished well short of the 200 that at one stage seemed within reach.

Munaweera's 37 at the top of the order and 35 from Milinda Siriwardana represented Sri Lanka's best efforts, but Zampa's 3-25 in the middle overs left the lower order with far too much to do in the final stages.

Sri Lanka were left to rue Finch's escape, the captain bringing up his fifty from 30 balls by crushing Siriwardana over the fence.

He eventually holed out to long off, Ben Dunk coming and going for a 21-ball 28 before Klinger reached his half-century with a powerful pull for four.

Travis Head made a brisk 30 to continue Australia's momentum, but that was checked somewhat as he and Klinger fell in successive deliveries – the hosts adding just 10 runs for the loss of four wickets in the final two overs.

Sri Lanka's response got off to a flying start with 60 coming from the powerplay, but Head removed Munaweera before Zampa took over.

The leg-spinner removed Asela Gunaratne – the hero from Sunday's series-sealing clash – Chamara Kapugedera and Dasun Shanaka to put the squeeze on the visitors.

Siriwardana thumped a four and two sixes during his stay, but his demise effectively ended any hopes Sri Lanka had of completing another remarkable chase as Australia secured a first T20 home win since November 2014.