Hazlewood, Warner and Finch spearhead crushing opening win for Australia
Sri Lanka suffered a huge collapse to lose 9 for 28 after a strong start from the top three
Sri Lanka suffered a huge collapse to lose 9 for 28 after a strong start from the top three
Scorer: M Venkat Raghav | Commentator: Alex Malcolm
Clinical performance from Australia to go 1-0 up. But there's a quick turnaround. Sri Lanka can exact revenge tomorrow night in Colombo. Join us then for game two. Until then, goodnight from R Premadasa Stadium. Thanks for your company.
11.20pm PresentationAaron Finch: "I think with the ball, when Josh Hazlewood is bowling such consistent lengths we know as batters how hard it is to face that. We wanted guys to take a risk playing the hardest shots against that length through the middle overs. We managed to get that. We managed to control the middle overs by getting wickets. It was nice to get a few runs and have a really good partnership with Davey." Dasun Shanaka: "I hope the batters will be better in the next game. We had a serious talk on this in the days leading in. We've got a strong side. It's a matter of getting one win."Player of the match is Josh Hazlewood for his 4 for 16. Josh Hazlewood: "The wicket was a little bit slow but I guess you can use that to your advantage. I thought we bowled well as a unit. The back of a length was crucial. I've been working hard on my T20 cricket, playing a lot, feeling confident and we saw that tonight."
11.09pm Australia win by 10 wickets with 36 balls to spare. That is Sri Lanka's heaviest T20I defeat at home. Australia go 1-0 up. Warner and Finch were clinical. It was just the start to the series Finch was hoping for personally as well as from a team perspective. Finch makes a pressure free 61 not out from 40. Warner was sensational with 70 not out from 44 balls to continue on his IPL form. Sri Lanka's bowlers stood no chance on that surface. Their batting failed them. Josh Hazlewood's 4 for 16 was the difference in the game. Sri Lanka were 1 for 100 in the 12th over before losing 9 for 28.Christof: "Looks like there were six full overs lost after all. Just don't blame the rain."
One run to go 1-0 up
Chameera returns
In the T20I batting rankings, Aaron Finch has entered the top five
Sri Lanka suffered a huge collapse to lose 9 for 28 after a strong start from the top three
Visitors will hope Finch-Smith can find some much-needed T20I runs prior to the home title defence