‘Everything went wrong’: Australia thrashes Sri Lanka in opening T20

David Warner and Aaron Finch pummelled Sri Lanka’s bowlers as the hosts admitted “everything went wrong” in the one-sided clash.

David Warner was in a mood. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP)

Australian openers David Warner and Aaron Finch smashed half-centuries in an impressive 10-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the first T20 international in Colombo on Wednesday morning (AEST).

The visitors eased to 0/134 in 14 overs, chasing just 129 for victory, after an impressive Josh Hazlewood spell restricted the hosts to 128 all out in 19.3 overs.

Australia, the reigning champions, are warming up for the 2022 T20 World Cup to be held on home soil later this year.

Watch Australia’s Tour of Sri Lanka. Every T20, ODI and Test Match Live & On-Demand on Kayo. First T20 Starts 7th Jun 11:30PM AEST. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Warner hit nine fours in his unbeaten 44-ball 70 while Finch finished with 61 not out from 40 deliveries with four fours and four sixes.

Warner and Finch hammered 59 runs in the first six overs and attacked key Sri Lankan bowlers Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, who bowled six wicketless overs for 52 runs between them.

Dushmantha Chameera leaked 48 runs in his four overs for the hosts.

Speaking after the game, Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said: “Everything went wrong, it’s the first game of the series so hopefully everything goes better tomorrow. The batters will come with a plan tomorrow.”

David Warner was giving them a whack. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP)

Earlier, Josh Hazlewood took three wickets in the 14th over and triggered a middle-order collapse in the first of three T20Is after Finch won the toss and chose to field.

The in-form pacer finished with an impressive 4/16 in his four overs and took the wickets of Danushka Gunathilaka (26), Kusal Mendis (1), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (0) and Shanaka (0).

Hazlewood was well supported by his new-ball partner Mitchell Starc, who removed opener Pathum Nissanka for 36 off 31 balls before cleaning up the hosts’ lower order to finish with 3/26 from his four tight overs.

Sri Lanka’s top three batters gave the hosts a steady start and took the team to 2/100 in the first 12 overs.

None of the top three — Nissanka, Gunathilaka and Charith Asalanka — were able to stick around in the closing overs.

Starc dismissed Hasaranga, who tried to lead a lower-order fightback with a 15-ball 17, as well as Chameera (1).

The hosts also lost Asalanka and Chamika Karunaratne to run outs and were bowled out three balls short of their allotted 20 overs.

Australia are also playing five one-day internationals and two Test matches during the Sri Lanka tour, which ends July 12.