Australia showcased nerves of steel by winning a close encounter against the Courageous Sri Lanka. Australia won the 2nd ODI by a whisker of 20 Runs according to DLS (Duckworth Lewis Stern) Method. Australia have taken a lead of 1-0 in 5 Match T20I Series. This T20I Series starts the journey of the upcoming T20 World Cup in October-November 2022 in Australia. Australia are the Champions of T20 World Cup as earlier in T20 World Cup 2021 they thrashed the puissant New Zealand in Finale
Sri Lanka had opted to bowl first. Sri Lanka’s bowlers were spot on as they restricted Australia to a below-par total of 149/9. In response to 150 target Sri Lanka’s batters lost 2 wickets in power-play overs & managed to score 30 runs. The runs where hard to come due to the immaculateness of the Josh Hazlewood & Co. The opener Pathum Nissanka was dropped on 12 by the speedster Pat Cummins. At the end of 10 overs Sri Lanka managed to score 60 runs for the loss of 2 wickets. Sri Lanka needed another 90 runs to be victorious.
In 11th over the leg spinner Adam Zampa got rid of Nissanka & Charith Asalanka and all of a sudden Aussies were in the ascendancy. Sri Lanka were bruised as they needed the opener Nissanka to stay till at-least 16 overs; he scored a fighting 36 runs in 37 balls. The skipper Dasun Shanaka & the flamboyant spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga tried to put the run-chase back on track. Sri Lanka required another 74 runs in 6 overs which was a bit too much.
In the 16th over Josh Hazlewood did the damage by getting rid of Shanka & pinch hitter Chamika Karunaratne. His 2 wickets over dented the run chase as now the required run rate was way far off from the reach. Sri Lanka’s batters tried to score runs & fell short of the target by 20 runs (*DLS method).
Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers as he took 4 wickets for only 12 runs in his 4 over spell. He along with the sly leg spinner Adam Zampa ruined Sri Lanka’s chances by picking up 3 wickets as he gave away 18 runs in his 4 over spell.
Invited to bat first Australia’s skipper Adam Finch had a forgettable outing as he scored 8 runs in 12 balls. His poor form now has been a concern as it has been a long time since he has notched up a gritty half-century. Ben McDermott made the most of the opportunity as he smashed a fighting half century of 53 runs in 41 balls. The debutant Josh Inglis had a decent run as he scored 23 runs in 18 balls. Australia’s middle order woes continue as the likes of Glenn Maxwell & Steven Smith had a bad day in the field. Hasaranga achieved a rare feat by picking up Fich, Smith & Maxwell
Then came one of the finest finishers in World Cricket Marcus Stoinis. He played a dazzling cameo of 30 runs in 17 balls. At the back end of the innings Sri Lanka’s Binura Fernando slowed down the run rate by getting wickets of Mattew Wade & Marcus Stoinis on consecutive deliveries. Those wickets just pulled the things back for Dasun Shanaka as Sri Lanka were chasing a moderate total of 150 runs. The left arm lanky fast bowler Binura Fernando had a dream spell as he took 2 wickets & gave away 12 runs in his 4 over spell. Chamika Karunaratne too had a good outing as he took 2 wickets & was economical.
This victory for Australia may sound good but this is a wake-up call. Sri Lanka at the same time would need to get mistakes corrected & create an upset. Australia look favorites but Sri Lanka can’t be taken for granted. All in all, we are in for a spectacular T20I Series where we may & most probably see some enthralling yet mesmerizing Cricket.
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