Warner knock in vain as Sri Lanka beat Australia in first T20
Batsman’s quickfire 90 fails to prevent 5-wicket loss in Sydney.
Warner scored an impressive 62-ball 90 to propel Australia to 137 for three in difficult batting conditions. PHOTO: AFP
SYDNEY:
David Warner’s unbeaten 90 went in vain as Sri Lanka beat Australia by five wickets in the first Twenty20 International yesterday to go 1-0 up in the two-match series.
Shot-making was not easy on the drop-in pitch at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium but Warner blasted an unbeaten 62-ball 90 in a brilliant display of controlled aggression to power Australia to 137 for three wickets.
Kushal Perera (33) and captain Angelo Mathews (35*) shone with the bat for Sri Lanka before Thisara Perera (19*) clobbered back-to-back sixes to see the visitors home with seven balls to spare.
Australia captain George Bailey said his side did not put up a big enough target to defend.
“I thought we ended up a few runs short, but we had that platform set, and to be fair I thought Sri Lanka bowled unbelievably well their last four overs,” said Bailey said. “Any side that can bowl to Warner, set, and deprive him of boundaries, they executed unbelievably well.
“I thought our fielding was disappointing, and that probably cost us 10 runs, so that adds up in a T20 game, plus some dropped catches. I’ve never seen a T20 game where if you get outfielded you win the game — I think the best fielding side always wins.”
Earlier, Australia were reeling at 53 for three in nine overs after opting to bat first on a tricky surface before Warner added 84 runs in 11 overs with Adam Voges (25*) to give the bowlers a decent total to defend.
The hosts lost opener Aaron Finch in the second over when Kushal Perera took a diving catch at short cover after Nuwan Kulasekara had induced a thick leading edge.
Shaun Marsh was sent back by Tillakaratne Dilshan’s direct throw while Australia captain George Bailey did not last long either, leaving the onus on Warner to put up a fighting total.
In contrast, Sri Lanka were off to a flying start with openers Kushal Perera and Dilshan (16) adding 46 runs before departing in successive overs.
Dilshan was soon in his elements, bending down to play that audacious scoop shot off Mitchell Starc that sailed over the wicket-keeper’s head for a six.
Glen Maxwell removed Kushal Perera and Dinesh Chandimal to trigger a mid-innings collapse but Mathews stayed put while Thisara Perera struck successive sixes off Laughlin to score the winning runs.
Melbourne hosts the second and final match tomorrow.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2013.
David Warner’s unbeaten 90 went in vain as Sri Lanka beat Australia by five wickets in the first Twenty20 International yesterday to go 1-0 up in the two-match series.
Shot-making was not easy on the drop-in pitch at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium but Warner blasted an unbeaten 62-ball 90 in a brilliant display of controlled aggression to power Australia to 137 for three wickets.
Kushal Perera (33) and captain Angelo Mathews (35*) shone with the bat for Sri Lanka before Thisara Perera (19*) clobbered back-to-back sixes to see the visitors home with seven balls to spare.
Australia captain George Bailey said his side did not put up a big enough target to defend.
“I thought we ended up a few runs short, but we had that platform set, and to be fair I thought Sri Lanka bowled unbelievably well their last four overs,” said Bailey said. “Any side that can bowl to Warner, set, and deprive him of boundaries, they executed unbelievably well.
“I thought our fielding was disappointing, and that probably cost us 10 runs, so that adds up in a T20 game, plus some dropped catches. I’ve never seen a T20 game where if you get outfielded you win the game — I think the best fielding side always wins.”
Earlier, Australia were reeling at 53 for three in nine overs after opting to bat first on a tricky surface before Warner added 84 runs in 11 overs with Adam Voges (25*) to give the bowlers a decent total to defend.
The hosts lost opener Aaron Finch in the second over when Kushal Perera took a diving catch at short cover after Nuwan Kulasekara had induced a thick leading edge.
Shaun Marsh was sent back by Tillakaratne Dilshan’s direct throw while Australia captain George Bailey did not last long either, leaving the onus on Warner to put up a fighting total.
In contrast, Sri Lanka were off to a flying start with openers Kushal Perera and Dilshan (16) adding 46 runs before departing in successive overs.
Dilshan was soon in his elements, bending down to play that audacious scoop shot off Mitchell Starc that sailed over the wicket-keeper’s head for a six.
Glen Maxwell removed Kushal Perera and Dinesh Chandimal to trigger a mid-innings collapse but Mathews stayed put while Thisara Perera struck successive sixes off Laughlin to score the winning runs.
Melbourne hosts the second and final match tomorrow.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2013.