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PHOTOS: Sri Lanka blown away by Stoinis storm

Last updated on: October 26, 2022 04:16 IST

IMAGES from the T20 World Cup Super 12 match between Australia and Sri Lanka, in Perth, on Tuesday.

Australia's Marcus Stoinis celebrates his blazing half century off just 17 balls

IMAGE: Australia's Marcus Stoinis celebrates his blazing half century, off just 17 balls, during the T20 World Cup Super 12 match against Sri Lanka, in Perth, on Tuesday. Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Marcus Stoinis destroyed the Sri Lankan attack en route the fastest fifty by an Australian as the hosts got their T20 World Cup campaign back on track with a seven-wicket victory, in Perth, on Tuesday.

 

Charith Asalanka's 38 not out off 25 balls had earlier helped Sri Lanka put up a fighting 157 for 6 after Australia put them in.

Sri Lanka fought hard before they were blown away by the brute force of Stoinis, who remained unbeaten on 59 off 18 balls as Australia romped home in 16.3 overs.

The all-rounder raced to a record half-century off 17 balls. His memorable knock included half a dozen sixes and four boundaries.

Despite losing fast bowler Binura Fernando to injury in the first over, Sri Lanka kept themselves in the game for a major part of Australia's chase.

Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana of Sri Lanka celebrates his wicket of David Warner

IMAGE: Maheesh Theekshana celebrates the wicket of Australia opener David Warner. Photograph: James Worsfold/Getty Images

The dangerous David Warner perished cheaply and skipper Aaron Finch was unable to break the shackles, increasing the pressure on the hosts.

Finch struggled to 24 off his first 35 balls before ending up with 31 off 42.

Mitchell Marsh scored a run-a-ball 17 and Glenn Maxwell came up with a couple of sixes and fours during his 12-ball 23 to release some pressure.

During his short stay, Maxwell suffered a nasty blow on the right side of his helmet grill while trying to pull a rising delivery from Lahiru Kumara.

The all-rounder fell attempting another big hit, substitute Ashen Bandara taking a brilliant catch very close to the deep mid-wicket boundary to leave Australia reeling at 89 for 3 in the 13th over.

Pat Cummins of Australia celebrates the wicket of Kusal Mendis of Sri Lanka

IMAGE: Australia pacer Pat Cummins celebrates the wicket of Kusal Mendis. Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

While Finch struggled at the other end, Stoinis came in and produced a barrage of sixes and fours to effectively shut the door on Sri Lanka.

Stoinis and the rest of the batters targeted star Sri Lanka spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who had a day to forget, leaking 53 runs in three overs.

Earlier, Asalanka's unbeaten 38 off 25 balls helped Sri Lanka put up a fighting total.

Australia produced a disciplined bowling effort for the majority of the innings before Asalanka propped up the total on a quick pitch.

Matthew Wade takes the catch to dismiss Dasun Shanaka.

IMAGE: Matthew Wade takes the catch to dismiss Dasun Shanaka. Photograph: James Worsfold/Getty Images

The last four overs yielded 46 runs for Sri Lanka, including a 20-run final over from Pat Cummins.

The left-handed Asalanka launched into Cummins in the 20th over, hitting a sublime straight six and a pull for a boundary.

Chamika Karunaratne gave Asalanka good support with an unbeaten 14 off seven balls.

Australia need to win the game after losing to New Zealand in their opening match.

Matthew Wade of Australia takes a catch to dismiss Dasun Shanaka of Sri Lanka

IMAGE: Australia's wicketkeeper Matthew Wade celebrates with Ashton Agar after taking the catch to dismiss Dasun Shanaka. Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Early on, the Sri Lankan innings could never get the momentum after Australia put them in to bat.

After Kusal Mendis fell cheaply, Pathum Nissanka (40 off 45 balls) and Dhananjaya de Silva (26 off 23) shared a steady 69-run stand off 58 balls before the regular fall of wickets derailed the Sri Lankan innings.

De Silva fell to a brilliant running catch in the deep by Warner, who was a livewire on the field, leaving Sri Lanka on 75 for 2 in the 12th over.

Pathum Nissanka of Sri Lanka bats during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match

IMAGE: Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka scored 40 off 45 balls. Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Nissanka attempted a suicidal single and threw away his wicket. A flurry of wickets followed, leaving the Asia Cup winners struggling at 120 for 6.

Australia's frontline pacers Josh Hazlewood, Cummins and Mitchell Starc picked up a wicket each. Cummins spoilt his overall figures with a poor last over.

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