T20 World Cup 2022 Match 18: Australia vs Sri Lanka

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Australia got a resounding win over Sri Lanka to open their account in the T20 World Cup 2022. After scoring a respectable 158 runs, the Australian batting team stuttered a bit but came back strongly to claim a stunning win by seven wickets.

Left to bat first, the Sri Lankan batsmen failed to capitalize on the starts they got as some of them played rash shots and got out. Charit Asalanka and Pathum Nissanka batted decently for the island nation, but the defending champions kept the pressure on with their bowling and restricted the Lankan Lions to just 157 all out.

Australia, meanwhile, have opened their account in the points table but are still trailing Sri Lanka, England and New Zealand due to their low net output. The defending champions will now face a tough task against England in their next match at the Super 12 stage.

Here are the topics of conversation:

Marcus Stoinis stuns the Sri Lankan bowling team

Station wagon Marcus Stoinis was in full swing as he smashed 59 runs in just 18 balls with four fours and six maximums. Stoinis didn’t let any Sri Lankan bowler rest as he was also adjudged the man of the match for his excellent knock.

Vaninda Hasranga is beaten:

Sri Lanka’s star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga was brought out for a clean sweep as he conceded 53 runs in just three overs and failed to take a single wicket either. Stoinis attacked Hasaranga in his third over as he and Finch put on 19 runs from his third over to ensure victory for the team.

Losing skipper Dasun Shanaka said:

We started really well and finished well, but we fell short in the middle. I think we could have missed 15-20 races. Fast bowlers have not prepared well, they come after injuries. This is the reason they got injured. The new ball was difficult because of the spongy bounce. Even Finch struggled with the new sword. They played very well in the last part.

Winning skipper Aaron Finch said:

Very happy. My serve was unusual, poor. I couldn’t hit the ball. The way we approached with the bat was good. It was a long road and if we could get through it, it was important to get the back of the innings going. It would be good if I started earlier. All in all, quite clinical. They rolled a hard length, it was hard. Such a large platform, difficult to sustain and deliver. Nice to get two points. (Stoinis) That was a pretty special pitch. To go out with such an intention is the main thing. If you go out to bat and feel it at the crease, that’s half the battle in T20 cricket. When you get the skills he has, it’s a good combo. (Next game vs England) Always a great event, whatever format, wherever, looking forward to it.

Man of the Match Marcus Stoinis said:

Ronnie (Andrew Macdonald) actually told me to look at the quicks because it’s been done a bit and I feel comfortable and then go to the spinners. Once I got in, the plan was to continue. To be honest, I was really nervous today, being home in Perth with lots of family and friends. So, I was very nervous going into it, but I’m very happy that we ended up placing the clinical show there. Mentally I’ve been good and fresh, I’ve had a little time off to take care of the side strain, it’s been kind of bugging me, but so far so good. We played here the other day against England and it was a beautiful wicket. It did look like it was a bit bigger, especially with the new ball, but it’s a beautiful ground and probably the best ground in Australia, if not the world with the technology and the lighting that’s here and my home crowd, it’s a beautiful wicket. We have wrapped up this game and are looking forward to playing England at the MCG (on Friday). They’re obviously a very good team, so we’ll do our homework again, rest up, get on a flight tomorrow and move on.