Right then. That is all we have from this game. The series is off to a good start for the Aussies and would want to win the next game too. But expect Sri Lanka to do better in the next game as they get used to the conditions. The second T20I will be played on 13th February. The first ball will be bowled at 1:40 pm IST (8:10 am GMT). But join us in advance for the buildup. Cheers for now!
Adam Zampa has been named the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his spell of 4-0-18-3!
The Aussie bowling was on point and they had a great time. Josh Hazlewood had an excellent return as he bagged a four-fer. Adam Zampa like always was amongst the wickets and picked up 3. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins were a bit expensive but the others covered well for them. Their batting was quite average as they lost a bunch of wickets in the death overs but they did get a decent score on the board.
The Powerplay was going to be key for Sri Lanka but they failed to make use of it. They lost the two wickets and also did not score freely. Then there was a stand between Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka which did steady the ship but they needed to up the ante once they were set. Both the batters fell to Adam Zampa in the 11th over and after that, it was a collapse. There were a few starts for their batters but none went onto make it big and that is what cost them the game.
A very convincing win for the Aussies and once again their strong bowling unit has come to the rescue. We felt they had an under-par score to defend but they have used the conditions brilliantly and defended well.
In over# 19
1
4
0
6
1
1
Mitchell Starc 41/0(4)
18.6
1
Yorker, on off. Dinesh Chandimal works it to long on for one. That ends the game and Australia win by 20 runs (D/L method)!
18.5
4
FOUR! A high full toss, on off. Dinesh Chandimal looks to swipe it away but gets the top edge over short third man for a boundary. Not called a no ball.
18.4
.
A full toss, on off. Chipped towards extra cover.
18.3
6
SIX! Smoked but too late! Length ball, wide outside off. Dinesh Chandimal carves it all the way over the cover fence.
18.2
1
Yorker, on off. Binura Fernando blocks it to short cover. He wants a single but is sent back. The fielder underarms the ball at the keeper's end but misses. Now, the batters a single off the overthrow.
18.1
1
Length ball, outside off. Heaved towards long on for one.
In over# 18
1lb
1
1
0
2
0W
Josh Hazlewood 12/4(4)
17.6
1lb
Back of a length, on off. Chandimal looks to swipe it across the line but gets hit on the pads. It rolls away and a leg bye is taken.
17.5
1
Length ball, on off. Pushed past cover for one.
17.4
1
Shorter and outside off. Dinesh Chandimal miscues the pull in the air. The ball lands short of the man at deep mid-wicket. Single.
17.3
.
Back of a length, on the body. Dinesh Chandimal misses the heave and gets hit on the body.
17.2
2
Length and outside off. Dinesh Chandimal goes for the drive but gets the outside edge over short third man. Zampa chases it, dives and keeps it to two.
Binura Fernando walks out.
17.1
W
OUT! TAKEN! Shorter, on the body. Dushmantha Chameera goes for the pull but gets the top edge. Ben McDermott runs towards the square leg region from mid-wicket and takes it.