Sri Lanka slipped to their biggest-ever defeat in T20I cricket at home as they were outclassed by 10 wickets by Australia in the first of a 3-match T20I series at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday, June 7. David Warner hit his 5th successive fifty against Sri Lanka in T20Is and Aaron Finch led from the front with 61 not out as the visitors chased down 128 with 10 wickets and 6 overs to spare.
With the massive win, Australia go 1-0 up in the 3-match series. Notably, the tourists will play as many as 3 T20Is, 5 ODIs and 3 Tests in the island nation.
Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st T20I: Highlights
Sri Lanka slipped to a new low as they collapsed from 100 for 1 to 128-all out after Aaron Finch won the toss and opted to bowl.
Sri Lanka got off to a solid start with the bat as Dhanushka Gunathilaka hit a 15-ball 28, helping them go past 50 In the power play. However, he departed in the 5th over following which Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka had a 61-run stand.
NIssanka impressed once again, hitting a 31-ball 38 while Asalanka hit 38 from 34 balls. However, Mitchell Stars broke the partnership in the 12th over, going through the defence of Nissanka in the 12th over.
HAZLEWOOD TRIGGERS MASSIVE COLLAPSE
Josh Halewood triggered the massive collapse as the in-form fast bowler got Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Dasun Shanka in a space of 6 deliveries. Plenty was expected of comeback man Rajapaksa after a fine showing in IPL 2022 for Punjab Kings but the big-hitting left-hander was dismissed for a golden duck by Hazlewood.
Wanindhu Hasaranga hung in and made 17 from 15 deliveries but Sri Lanka lost their last 9 wickets for just 28 runs. It’s the first time in the history of T20I cricket that a team that had lost only 1 wicket after reaching 100 was bowled out for less than 160.
WARNER, FINCH MAKE MERRY
In reply, David Warner and Aaron Finch were in no trouble as the Australian openers took the attack to the Sri Lanka bowling unit with ease. Warner hit 9 boundaries for his 44-ball 70 not out while Finch got some much-needed form after a poor Indian Premier League outing with Kolkata Knight Riders. The Australia captain hit 4 boundaries and as many sixes for his 40-ball 61 not out.
Sri Lanka were shoddy on the field as well as they missed chances to break the opening stand which proved decisive. It was not the start that new head coach Chris Silverwood would have hoped for.
Despite rain interruptions, there were no overs lost in the first T20I in Colombo, which will also host the 2nd T20I on Wednesday, June 8.