Australia cruised to a 10-wicket win at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo to go 1-0 up in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. After Sri Lanka collapsed to 128 following a bizarre collapse against the Australian fast bowlers, Australian openers Aaron Finch (61* in 40 balls) and David Warner (70* in 44) took only 14 overs – interrupted by two short bursts of rain – to chase down the target. Australia will be particularly delighted by the return to form of captain Finch, who has been struggling for runs of late.
Sri Lanka started well, racing to 50/1 in the Powerplay after Finch put them in. Danushka Gunathilaka (26 in 15 balls) fell in the fifth over, but Pathum Nissanka (36) and Charith Asalanka (38) added 61 for the second wicket. Then Nissanka tried to slog Mitchell Starc (3-26) across the line and was bowled. At 100/2 in 12 overs, Sri Lanka seemed set for a total around 180.
The 14th over, bowled by Josh Hazlewood (4-16), changed the complexion of the match. Kusal Mendis mistimed the first ball, and it looped to cover; Bhanuka Rajapaksa was caught behind trying to steer the fourth ball; and Dasun Shanaka missed the last ball and was leg before. The rest of the Sri Lankan batting caved in after that, with only Wanindu Hasaranga (17) reaching double figures. Sri Lanka lost their last nine wickets for 28 runs in 46 balls.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka 128 in 19.3 overs (Charith Asalanka 38; Josh Hazlewood 4-16) lost to Australia 134/0 in 14 overs (David Warner 70*) by 10 wickets with 36 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Josh Hazlewood.