Australia edge out Sri Lanka in second T20I to clinch series | Cricket News – Times of India
COLOMBO: Australia made heavy weather of a modest chase before beating Sri Lanka by three wickets in the second Twenty20 International on Wednesday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing 125, world champions Australia struggled against Wanindu Hasaranga’s (4-33) spin before Matthew Wade’s run-a-ball 26 not out secured a tense victory with 13 balls to spare.
Put into bat, Sri Lanka struggled to get going and rode cameos from Charith Asalanka (39) and Kusal Mendis (36) to post a below-par 124-9, barely avoiding being bowled out inside 20 overs.
Australia’s ploy to open their attack with Glenn Maxwell (2-18) paid off with the off-spinner dismissing opener Danushka Gunathilaka in the first over.
Australia were without fast bowler Mitchell Starc who slit the index finger of his bowling hand on his shoe spike during the tourists’ 10-wicket win in Tuesday’s series opener.
His replacement Jhye Richardson (3-26) ensured Australia did not feel Starc’s absence and Kane Richardson claimed 4-30 to restrict Sri Lanka.
For Australia, captain Aaron Finch (24) began well but Hasaranga rocked their top order and David Warner (21) was run out after a mix-up with Maxwell as their chase threatened to unravel.
Hasaranga dismissed Maxwell and Ashton Agar in successive deliveries but Wade calmed Australian nerves and secured victory with a four off Gunathilaka.
The teams move to Pallekele for the final Twenty20, which will be followed by five one-dayers and two Test matches.
Chasing 125, world champions Australia struggled against Wanindu Hasaranga’s (4-33) spin before Matthew Wade’s run-a-ball 26 not out secured a tense victory with 13 balls to spare.
Put into bat, Sri Lanka struggled to get going and rode cameos from Charith Asalanka (39) and Kusal Mendis (36) to post a below-par 124-9, barely avoiding being bowled out inside 20 overs.
Australia’s ploy to open their attack with Glenn Maxwell (2-18) paid off with the off-spinner dismissing opener Danushka Gunathilaka in the first over.
Australia were without fast bowler Mitchell Starc who slit the index finger of his bowling hand on his shoe spike during the tourists’ 10-wicket win in Tuesday’s series opener.
His replacement Jhye Richardson (3-26) ensured Australia did not feel Starc’s absence and Kane Richardson claimed 4-30 to restrict Sri Lanka.
For Australia, captain Aaron Finch (24) began well but Hasaranga rocked their top order and David Warner (21) was run out after a mix-up with Maxwell as their chase threatened to unravel.
Hasaranga dismissed Maxwell and Ashton Agar in successive deliveries but Wade calmed Australian nerves and secured victory with a four off Gunathilaka.
The teams move to Pallekele for the final Twenty20, which will be followed by five one-dayers and two Test matches.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
Denial of responsibility! NewsUpdate is an automatic aggregator around the global media. All the content are available free on Internet. We have just arranged it in one platform for educational purpose only. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials on our website, please contact us by email – [email protected]. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.