Australia beat Sri Lanka in 2nd T20I: Records broken
Josh Hazlewood sealed the second T20I for Australia in Super Over. He gave away just five runs. In reply, Australia comfortably won the match after three lose deliveries by Wanindu Hasaranga. Chasing 165 runs for a win, Sri Lanka batters, especially Pathum Nissanka and Dasun Shanaka, did well to take the game to the tiebreaker. But, they failed in taking SL across the line.
Why does this story matter?
The bowling unit of the 2021 World T20 champions Australia shone during the second T20I against Sri Lanka. Australia struggled with the bat as not a single player from the home side managed to touch fifty runs mark. Meanwhile, after a poor start, Sri Lanka made a strong comeback in the match, courtesy of Nissanka's 73 runs knock. Shanaka also contributed with the bat.
Australia extend H2H record against SL
This was the 19th T20I between the two nations. Australia have extended their lead to 11-8. The Aussies have now won seven successive T20I matches against Sri Lanka. The visitors have now lost six successive T20I matches Down Under.
How did the match pan out?
Batting first, Australia posted 164/6 in 20 overs. Josh Inglis (48) starred with the bat for the home side. Skipper Aaron Finch contributed with 25 runs off 20 balls. Dushmantha Chameera and Wanindu Hasaranga shared four wickets between them. Sri Lanka scored 164/8 to tie the match. Pathum Nissanka smashed 73 runs. Dasun Shanaka scored a quickfire 34 run-knock. Hazlewood picked three wickets.
How the Super Over went?
Hazlewood started the over with two dot balls. On the third ball, Shanaka and Dinesh Chandimal were involved in a mix-up, which resulted in a run-out. In the end, SL managed 5/1. Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis were sent to bat by Australia. Maxwell took a single on the first ball to rotate the striker. Thereafter, Stoinis smashed two boundaries to finish the game.
Josh Inglis improves his highest score
Wicket-keeper batter Josh Inglis was the pick of the batter for Australia in the second game. Playing the second T20I match of his career, Inglis scored 48 runs off 32 balls. His knock was laced with five boundaries. It is also his highest score in the format. He made his debut in 1st T20I against SL. He scored 23 runs in the first match.
Nissanka records his best score in T20Is
Sri Lanka opener Nissanka was the pick of the batter for his side. He scored 73 runs off 54 balls as SL tied the normal game. It is also his highest score in the T20I. His knock was laced with seven fours and two sixes. Nissanka has amassed 411 runs in 14 games at 31.62. He has struck four fifties in the format.
Chameera and Hasaranga shine for Sri Lanka
A day after earning hefty deals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, Dushmantha Chameera, and Wanindu Hasaranga shone for Sri Lanka. Hasaranga picked two wickets while giving away 33 runs. With this, he raced to 57 T20I scalps from just 35 matches at 13.75. Chameera finished the game with the figures of 30/2. He has taken 42 wickets in 41 games.
