T20 World Cup 2021: Match 22, Australia vs Sri Lanka – Who Said What

A dominant half-century from David Warner after impressive bowling performances from Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa took Australia to their second win in as many games, as they comprehensively defeated Sri Lanka in Dubai by seven wickets and three overs to spare.

Breaking a long rut of low scores, Warner showed the elements of old, perhaps the biggest takeaway for his team in the game. Fortune favoured him too, with Kusal Perera dropping the easiest of catches to reprieve him on 18 in the powerplay. But he ensured to make Sri Lanka pay for it, as he slammed 10 fours in his 42-ball 65 and provided a blazing start to the team alongside Aaron Finch, who was no less aggressive in his 37 off 23, smashing five fours and a couple of sixes.

Chasing a modest 155, the Warner-Finch duo ticked off 70 runs in just 6.5 overs before Finch chopped on a Wanindu Hasaranga googly. Hasaranga (2/22) struck again in his following over when Glenn Maxwell holed out to deep midwicket cheaply, although the quick-fire opening stand meant Australia were well ahead of Sri Lanka throughout their chase.

Lahiru Kumara, guilty of bowling too many loose balls, bore the brunt of Australia’s assault, leaking a whopping 48 runs in just three overs for no wickets, while Dushmantha Chameera was punished for his indiscipline too, conceding 33 in a wicketless three-over spell. After Maxwell’s exit, Steven Smith (unbeaten 28 off 26) once again assumed the role of the anchor, letting Warner dictate terms from the other end. Warner was dismissed in the 15th over by Dasun Shanaka but Marcus Stoinis ensured to finish things in style with a 7-ball 16.

Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka briefly threatened Australia and looked well-set for setting a target much bigger than what they eventually ended up setting. Pat Cummins struck early to claim Pathum Nissanka cheaply but Perera and Charith Asalanka attacked Australian bowlers rather convincingly during their 44-ball 63-run alliance for the second wicket. Asalanka was cut short at 35 off 27 by Zampa, who also accounted for Avishka Fernando to return with an incredible spell of 2/12.

Between Asalanka and Fernando’s dismissal was Perera’s exit who was undone by a searing Mitchell Starc yorker immediately after having struck him for a six. Sri Lanka lost a wicket in each over from 10-13., wiping off their good efforts earlier even as Bhanuka Rajapaksa stood unbeaten on 33 off 26. Shanaka, however, laboured his way to 12 in 19 deliveries before edging Cummins (2/34) behind to become his second wicket on the night.

Losing skipper Dasun Shanaka:

Have to admit that wicket was too good. Got the start we needed but in the middle phase we couldn’t capitalise. Losing good batsmen in the middle cost us. The other day Asalanka took us home. Likewise the batsmen who get set need to continue till 15-16 overs. That’s an area we have to be concerned about. Felt we were 25-30 runs short. We know how good those two batsmen are in world cricket (Finch and Warner). Needed to bowl well and contain them in powerplay. Couldn’t do that. We know the Sharjah wicket, have played two games there. Should come well in that game.

Winning skipper Aaron Finch:

That was a really good performance. SL got off to a flier. But Zampa dragged it back, and then Starc. We felt it was a really good wicket and to chase that down was nice. When the ball was flying around it felt like they were going at 15 an over, but you look up and it was 8 an over. Nice when you get a couple in the middle of the bat early. Knew that we had to take a chance against the quicks early on, with the spinners coming in later. When you’re looking at the impact on the game, Zamps was terrific tonight. He was fantastic, got big wickets. That was a world class performance from him. Always a great battle (England) no matter the format.

Player of the Match Adam Zampa:

Sri Lanka got off to bit of a flier, so we needed to peg it back. To be honest it (the surface) was quite slow in the first innings, it spun a little bit more than it did in the second innings. I think the moisture and dew took effect in the second innings. I find them (Sri Lanka) really challenging. They are very good players of spin, I bowled well tonight and glad I did. I have tended to bowl a little bit in the powerplay, little bit towards the back end in recent times but with the team that we have got, the big three will bowl in the powerplay and Maxwell bowling a couple of overs, my job is to get wickets in the middle and make it easy for the guys at the back end. David (Warner) played really well. It is good that those guys got to spend some time in the middle.