Australia v Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I - 5 Talking Points

Asela Gunaratne once again stepped up for Sri Lanka as they clinched the series against what is perceived to be a second-string Australian side. However, second-string or not, the Aussies did indeed boast of some firepower, enough of which to overpower a side in transition as that of Sri Lanka. However, Greenlong’s first ever international men’s game was certainly treated to yet another spectacle as the match went down to the wire yet again.

1. Michael Klinger gets off to a good start again

As he had done in the previous match, Michael Klinger got the Aussies off to a decent start with some amazing batting acumen. Of course, at 36 and making a tryst with international cricket, Klinger is perhaps one of the best people to open the innings. He did so with his captain Aaron Finch and impressed quite a bit with some impressive batting. He slammed a quickfire 43 and laid the foundations for the innings, something that would also ensure that the collapse later would also be something nonexistent given the impressive start.

2. Moises Henriques shines with the bat

Most of the international cricket Moises Henriques has played has been predominantly in the Indian subcontinent. However, the manner in which he played in Australia and for the Aussies was certainly something to take away as the Sydney Sixers skipper went ahead and slammed a half-century, something that took the Aussies to the score of 173. Despite losing the last 7 wickets for a handful of runs, it was Henriques who was perhaps the best batsman on the day.

3. Malinga and Kulasekara demonstrate tremendous death bowling

Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara are perhaps the most experienced bowlers, not just in Sri Lankan cricket, but in international cricket at the moment, in T20s as well. This experience came to the fore on the day against the Australians as they ensured that the tail of the Australian batting unit would certainly not fire. The duo picked six wickets between themselves as Kulasekara picked 4 wickets while Malinga helped himself to two. The final three wickets fell to Nuwan Kulasekara.

4. Lankans have their top order ripped apart

The innings did not begin very well for Sri Lanka as the top-order was simply ripped apart from the likes of James Faulkner and Pat Cummins. Almost all the bowlers helped themselves to wickets on the day as the Aussies were heavy favorites to secure a win at one point in time. However, this was clearly not meant to be, but they came to within touching distance of victory with the Lankans at 5/40 at one point in time.

5. Asela Gunaratne plays a blinder

As he had done in the previous match, Asela Gunaratne went ahead and ensured that there was simply nothing that was going to stop him from smashing those epic sixes that he hit in the previous match at the MCG. However, this time around, Gunaratne had the dubious honor of playing out most of the innings as well which meant that he had a responsibility on his shoulders.

This responsibility eventually came about in a manner of his audacious batting acumen, something that ensured that he would remain unbeaten on 84 after smashing 5 sixes and getting the Lankans over the line.