Twitter Reactions: Marcus Stoinis' record-breaking knock helps Australia sink Sri Lanka in must-win T20 World Cup clash

The defending champions Australia secured their first victory in the T20 World Cup 2022 after defeating Sri Lanka in an engaging contest played at the Perth Cricket Stadium on October 25 (Tuesday). Marcus Stoinis was the hero for the Australian side as he completed a superb fifty and helped his side to chase down the total easily in the end. He notched up the fastest fifty ever scored by an Australian in T20Is, taking just 17 balls to get there.

Speaking about the proceedings, it was Australia who won the toss and opted to have a bowl first. The Australian pacers had some early success as opening batters Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka could not get going with the bat straightaway. 

A slow, but steady partnership was then formed between Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva after Mendis perished cheaply. Both batters ran hard between the wickets and hit odd boundaries as well. Just when it looked like Sri Lanka were about to accelerate, the defending champions made a strong comeback and took a few wickets. 

At one stage, it looked like the batting team will not cross the 150-run mark as batters Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, and the skipper Dasun Shanaka fell cheaply. However, Charith Asalanka showed great composure with the bat as he remained unbeaten for his 38 runs in just 25 balls. All-rounder Chamika Karunaratne also played well for his 14 runs off seven balls as the Asia Cup champions reached 157 runs in their allotted 20 overs. 

Several Australian batters got starts with the bat

The likes of David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, and Glenn Maxwell got decent starts with the bat, but all three senior Australian batters failed to make it a big knock. Meanwhile, skipper Finch was witnessing all this by standing at the other end. 

After the fall of a few wickets, Finch found an able partner in the form of Stoinis who took an aggressive approach against the Sri Lankan bowlers. The right-handed batter smashed 59 runs in just 18 balls and hit four fours and six sixes. As a result, the defending champions won the contest pretty easily in the end by seven wickets and 21 balls to spare. 

Meanwhile, here are some Twitter Reactions:

We still have three matches. But, winning them all is a must to qualify for semis. #SLvsAUS

— 🇱🇰✊🏽 The Lucky One ✊🏽🇱🇰 (@lakshithadasan3) October 25, 2022

Once Pat Cummins said "Australia Looking To Groom Marcus Stoinis As A Finisher Like MS Dhoni" and trust me Stoinis is doing it so well - 17 ball fastest Fifty for Australia and winning runs in do or die match 🙇👏#AUSvsSL #T20worldcup22 🏏 pic.twitter.com/Rcb9uDaqyn

— Adiitiiiii 💅 (@Sev_Khamani) October 25, 2022

Wharra clean hitting by STOINIS🔥
Take a bow,Sir🔥🙌#AUSvsSL #T20worldcup22 pic.twitter.com/SbS9xJzPYG

— Cricket thops🏏//Naseem Stan (@OurPrideNaseem) October 25, 2022

Finch and Stoinis batting together. #AUSvsSL pic.twitter.com/5hPtFIHNdo

— Riot-Su (@kankeneeche) October 25, 2022

#AUSvsSL
Rare pic two Lion 🦁 hugging pic.twitter.com/oO7Tyuy5oF

— Rishi Jindal (@Rishi1RJ) October 25, 2022

#AUSvsSL Stoinis is bashing pic.twitter.com/GU1UmQT1Vl

— Vishal (@Vishal16649621) October 25, 2022

Marcus Stoinis and Aaron Finch getting Australia home #AUSvsSL pic.twitter.com/QR21EcUKyT

— Brad (@bitey26) October 25, 2022

Every team needs a stoinis or a maxwell especially for t20. Absolutely demolished.#AUSvsSL

— KRISHNA SAI CHARAN (@krishnasai_char) October 25, 2022

Hard luck @OfficialSLC ! Good luck for the rest of the matches!🥺💜️

— Shashini🦋(ia) (@Shashini_02) October 25, 2022