After restricting Sri Lanka to 157 for six in the first innings, Australia chased the target in just 16.3 overs with Stoinis hitting six sixes and four boundaries in his explosive knock.
Marcus Stoinis bludgeoned Australia’s fastest T20 half- century on Tuesday as his side crushed Sri Lanka by seven lattices to secure its first palm at the T20 World Cup.
After being beaten by New Zealand in the opening match of the Super 12, Australia tagged to field on Tuesday and confined Sri Lanka to 157- 6.
It had to make do without the services of leg- incentive Adam Zampa, who was ruled out at the 11th hour after testing positive for COVID- 19.
The host replied with 158- 3 in16.3 overs, led by Stoinis who forcefully struck six sixes in his unbeaten 59 from 18 balls. He was adeptly supported by commander Aaron Finch who finished on 31 not out.
“ It was good slogging, ” man- of- the- match Stoinis told journalists.
“ I was actually relatively nervous to be honest. The intention was to go and put an impact on the game and presumably give a bit of energy for the boys. ”
The Perth Stadium sundeck could have been incorrect for a WACA pitch as Australia’s cleft combined for three lattices with a shower of pace and brio which set Sri Lanka back.
Top- order batters Pathum Nissanka( 40) and Dhananjaya de Silva( 26) set up boundary- scoring delicate but showed urgency in running between the lattices.
An outstanding film- reverse on the boundary by David Warner in the 11th over deprived de Silva of a six, and five balls latterly the batter departed after heaving a catch to the same fielder at long- out.
Mitchell Marsh ran out Nissanka and touched off amini-collapse, only arrested by a late rush from Charith Asalanka( 38 not out out 25 balls) in the final overs.
Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara made good use of the face when Sri Lanka had its turn in the field, constantly beating Finch for pace, but it was out- incentive Maheesh Theekshana( 1- 23) who struck first when he convinced a false shot from Warner( 11).
Innovative strokeplay from Glenn Maxwell( 23) fitted motivation into Australia’s response, though it was Stoinis who delivered the knockout blow as incentive Wanindu Hasaranga conceded 53 runs in three overs without taking a gate. Know More News…
Brief scores: Sri Lanka: 157/6 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 40, Charith Asalanka 38 not out; Glenn Maxwell 1/5).
Australia: 158/3 in 16.3 overs (Marcus Stoinis 59 not out; Dhananjaya de Silva 1/18).
Playing XIs
Australia XI: David Warner, Aaron Finch(c), Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade(w), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood
Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, Lahiru Kumara
