PERTH: Australia’s Marcus Stoinis was in a hurry to finish the match with a blistering knock of 59 runs off just 18 balls chasing Sri Lanka’s total of 157 runs for 6 wickets and completed the chase in the 17th over to win by 7 wickets. Stoinis hit 6 sixers and 4 Fours in his half century (59 runs) with a strike rate of 327.8
Batting first Pathum Nissanka hit 40 runs off 45 balls and he shared partnership of 69 runs with Dhananjaya De Silva (26 runs) to set the foundation for a high score. But Sri Lanka lost its way with quick wickets of Bhanuka , Skipper Shanaka and Hasaranga to fall from 97 for 3 wickets to 120 for 6 wickets. Asalanka and Chamika batted well at the end to set a competitive score of 157 runs for loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs.
Chasing Aussies lost Warner early but Skipper Finch was determined to hold the innigs together. Hasaranga was beaten all over the park by Stoinis who was clearly determined to improve the Aussie run rate. Hasaranga ended up giving away 53 runs in 3 overs. Dhanajaya, Chamika and Theekshana picked a wicket each but no one was able to stop the Beast mode of Stoinis. He was unbeaten on 59 runs off just 18 balls together with skipper Finch (31 runs off 42 balls) to see Australia home to pick up their 2 points by reaching 158 for 3 wickets in 16.3 overs. Australia won by 7 wickets.
Sri Lanka now fall down to third place in the points table with New Zealand and England. Sri Lanka now would need to win all their encounters to fight for the place at the top 2. (RZ). Image credit: T20worldcup official website
