After a shaky start against South Africa, Australia bounced back to win handily against Sri Lanka in Dubai.
They put in a full effort on the day, and despite Sri Lanka threatening to take the game away with the bat, their bowlers came back at just the right time to keep the opposition at bay.
David Warner then returned to form with the bat to give Australia a two-game winning streak in the T20 World Cup.
Despite the comfortable triumph, Australia’s success was marred by their decision to bowl first. Despite losing Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka got off to a blazing start.
Charith Asalanka stepped out to bat and played some spectacular shots. The Australians were caught off guard by the counterattack, and they were found wanting. Kusal Perera and Asalanka have a second-wicket partnership.
The 63-run partnership worried Australia, who were cruising at 78/1. However, in the span of 16 deliveries, everything changed radically. Despite reading Adam Zampa’s googly, Asalanka chose the man in the deep, and Mitchell Starc then delivered yorker to Perera, leaving his stumps in shambles.
Mitchell Starc is just pure class in T20, his yorkers are always special.
— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5) October 28, 2021
The Zampa-Starc duo was at it again, sending back Avishka Fernando and Wanindu Hasaranga in their respective nexts.
Sri Lanka squandered all momentum, falling to 94/5. They had to rebuild the innings once more, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa and skipper Dasun Shanaka performed an excellent job. The latter, on the other hand, struggled, scoring only 12 runs off 19 balls.
Sri Lanka only made it over the 150-run mark with to Bhanuka’s (33* off 26) striking prowess. In their 20 overs, they were eventually reduced to 154/6, with Starc, Pat Cummins, and Zampa each taking two wickets.
David Warner slams a 65 to take Australia home
The form of Australia’s opening combination, Aaron Finch and David Warner had become a major source of concern.
Australia winning in style and with the top order starting to fire they are starting to look very good.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) October 28, 2021
NRR improves further for them.
Against Sri Lanka’s inexperienced bowling squad, though, both hitters proved their class.
As Finch sped away in the powerplay, Maheesh Theekshana’s mystery spin failed. Warner took his time at first, but he eventually improved his timing and began churning out boundaries.
As Australia raced to 63/0, the duo hammered nine fours and two sixes in the opening six overs. With no pressure of meeting the required rate, it was a no-brainer.
Sri Lanka fought hard, and leg-spinner Hasaranga reacted with a couple of early wickets, removing Finch and Glenn Maxwell, like he normally does.
Warner, on the other hand, was hammering away at the other, and Steve Smith’s presence only served to comfort Australia that they were still on track in the pursuit.
Two in two for Australia ✌️
— ICC (@ICC) October 28, 2021
#T20WorldCup | #AUSvSL | https://t.co/amKqUyfDGR pic.twitter.com/oZSRSHJs55
Warner made his fifty, which was much-needed for Australia and his fans, but he left early in an attempt to end the chase early.
Despite this, the southpaw hit 10 fours and had a stroke-filled 65 off just 42 balls. After that, Smith (28*) and Stoinis (16*) completed the formalities easily, and Australia won the game with seven wickets in hand in just 17 overs.
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