Warner shines as Australia thrash Sri Lanka

Australia produced a clinical batting performance to beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in their ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup Super 12 match played at Dubai, United Arab Emirates yesterday.

David Warner and Aaron Finch smashed the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground in an opening stand of 70 as Australia successfully chased down their target with 18 balls to spare.

Wanindu Hasaranga brought Sri Lanka back into the game with two quick wickets but Steven Smith added the finishing touches along with Marcus Stoinis.

Earlier, Sri Lanka’s innings got off to a flying start as they collected 53 runs from the mandatory powerplay of six overs despite the loss of Pathum Nissanka cheaply.

Inform batsman Charith Asalanka joined opener Kusal Perera and the pair laid the foundation for an impressive total with a second wicket stand of 53 runs from six overs.

Asalanka made his intentions clear from the start and dominated the Australia bowlers with a wide range of strokes while keeping the scoreboard moving at a tremendous pace.

Perera picked up the momentum after a few overs and showed signs of returning back to top form while hoisting Mitchell Starc for a massive six.

But the left-arm fast bowler came back strongly in the very next delivery to deceive Perera with a fantastic delivery, which put Sri Lanka back on the defensive.

Thereafter, Australia wrested the initiative with a couple of quick wickets through Adam Zampa and Pat Cummins before Bhanuka Rajapaksa took Sri Lanka over the 150-run mark.

Chief scores

Sri Lanka: 154/6 in 20 overs (Kusal Perera 35, Charith Asalanka 35, Bhanuka Rajapaksa 33 n.o, Mitchell Starc 2/27, Pat Cummins 2/34, Adam Zampa 2/12)

Australia: 155/3 in 17 overs (David Warner 65, Aaron Finch 37, Steven Smith 28 n.o, Wanindu Hasaranga 2/22). – Agencies