• Sri Lankan fans entered the stadium wearing the Australlaim jerseys to thank them for touring.
• The Kangaroos visited the country for the first time since 2016.
• The Test series will begin on June 29.

Aaron Finch has applauded Sri Lankan cricket supporters for turning Colombo’s largest stadium yellow on Friday night to thank Australia for touring the nation despite the economic turmoil.

Sri Lanka is experiencing its biggest financial crisis since its 1948 independence, forcing the island nation’s inhabitants to endure power outages, shortages, and months of often violent protests.

Read more: Australia’s Finch hopes tour brings ‘joy’ to crisis-hit Sri Lanka

On Australia’s first visit to the country since 2016, Finch captained the tourists in three Twenty 20 and five one-day internationals, leading his team to a consolation victory in the final ODI on Friday.

“We’re very grateful that we’ve been able to tour here. We know the difficulties that Sri Lanka has faced in recent times,” Aaron Finch told reporters.

“Hopefully over these eight white-ball games we’ve been able to provide some joy to people in the country.”

Thousands of local supporters dressed in the limited-overs cricket uniform of the Australian squad and flocked to the R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday, in response to a social media campaign urging them to honor the visiting team.

“It was outstanding, the Sri Lankan people are wonderful people,” Finch added.

“The support that they provide is second to none. They are great cricket supporters, it’s not just constant noise, they ride the emotions of the game. When Sri Lanka are up and about, that’s as loud as anywhere you’ll visit in the world.”

Read more: Nissanka crushes ton as Sri Lanka beat Australia in third ODI

Australia won the Twenty 20 series 2-1, but Sri Lanka won the One Day Internationals 3-2. The tour concludes with two Test matches beginning on June 29 in Galle.