Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign is back on track, and a record-breaking knock from Marcus Stoinis is largely to thank.
Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign is back on track, and Marcus Stoinis is largely to thank.
The powerful all-rounder smacked the fastest fifty by an Australian in any format on Tuesday evening, reaching the minor milestone in just 17 deliveries as the reigning champions claimed a seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka at Perth Stadium.
Most of the country was asleep as Stoinis battered Sri Lanka’s hapless bowling attack to all corners of the Perth venue, scoring an unbeaten 59 (18) to help Australia chase the 158-run target with 21 balls to spare.
Catch the T20 World Cup Live on Kayo. Don't Risk Missing All Your Teams' Matches. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Stoinis' breathtaking knock not only rescued Australia from a prickly situation but also drastically assists the team's net run rate, which took a hit after Saturday's debilitating loss to trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand.
"I was actually quite nervous to be honest," Stoinis told reporters in the post-match press conference.
"The intention was to put an impact on the game and probably provide a bit of energy for the boys, try and get a spark going."
Australian captain Aaron Finch won the toss and elected to field first in Perth, and immediately took a gamble by denying star paceman Mitchell Starc the new ball duties.
But the decision quickly paid dividends, with Pat Cummins removing Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis in the second over of the match.
Pathum Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva combined for a 69-run partnership for the second wicket before Australian spinner Ashton Agar snared a crucial breakthrough in the 12th over.
Wickets started perpetually tumbling throughout Sri Lanka's innings, but the Asia Cup champions kept the scoreboard ticking by taking advantage of some sloppy Australian fielding, squeezing twos out of regulation singles.
Chamika Karunaratne and Charith Asalanka provided some late fireworks at the death, combining for an unbeaten 37-run partnership from 15 balls to steer Sri Lanka towards a defendable total of 6/157.
Starc was undeniably the pick of the Australian bowlers, finishing with 1/23 from his four overs, while David Warner was an absolute gun in the field.
Australia’s run chase started poorly, with veteran opener Warner smacking Maheesh Theekshana’s first delivery of the match towards the cover fielder.
Sri Lanka’s pace bowlers unearthed plenty of seam movement during the Powerplay, getting the Kookaburra to jag viciously off the lively Perth deck.
For the first time in men’s T20 internationals, Australia failed to score a boundary during the Powerplay.
West Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh finally found the middle of his bat before departing in the ninth over, removed by Sri Lankan spinner Dhananjaya de Silva for 18 (17).
Glenn Maxwell cracked four boundaries from his first six deliveries at the crease, quickly shifting momentum back in Australia’s favour at the drinks break, but Sri Lanka refused to wave the white flag.
The visitors delivered 10 consecutive dot balls before removing Maxwell in the 13th over for 23, with substitute fielder Ashen Bandara taking a superb catch on the mid-wicket boundary rope.
Enter, Stoinis.
The West Australian repeatedly muscled Sri Lanka's spinners over the boundary rope, cracking four boundaries and six maximums to secure Australia's first victory of the tournament.
His wildly entertaining display of big-hitting was headlined by a 101m six off Sri Lankan spinner Wanindu Hasaranga in the 15th over.
Finch, who battled his way towards an unconvincing 31 not out (42), literally bowed down to Stoinis after the much-needed win.
Aaron Finch bows down to Marcus Stoinis after he leads Australia to an important victory over Sri Lanka.
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) October 25, 2022
Stoinis hit 59* off 18 balls: 1 2 4 • 4 4 1 1 6 4 6 1 • 6 6 1 6 6#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/WmjHTBbPEh
Very impressive win for Aussies, powered by a savage, 6-filled half century by Stoinis. Got them points and also boosted NRR. Finch’s form sone concern going ahead. Only good thing was he hung around till the end supporting Maxwell and Stoinis. This group’s hotting up!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 25, 2022
Maxwell copped a terrible blow to the throat while facing Sri Lankan seamer Lahiru Kumara during the run chase, with the Victorian immediately whipping off his helmet and dropping to his knees after the 137km/h short ball struck his neck.
Thankfully, he was able to continue his innings.
Australia will next face England in a sudden-death blockbuster clash at the MCG on Friday evening, with the first ball scheduled for 7pm AEDT.
There won't be anymore fireworks from Glenn Maxwell tonight.
The Big Show has been superbly caught at the mid-wicket boundary by substitute fielder Ashen Bandara, who somehow managed to keep his feet off the rope.
Marcus Stoinis joins his skipper in the middle.
Glenn Maxwell has been struck flush on the throat by a 137km/h short ball from Sri Lankan quick Lahiru Kumara, immediately taking off his helmet and dropping to his knees.
Thankfully, he seems to be alright, and continues his innings.
A sharp short one from Lahiru gets Maxwell flush in the neck.
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 25, 2022
Thankfully he's good to continue #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/dVPPUxwfNc
You're not meant to get a cherry on your neck 👀 #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/avujuaAAYE
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) October 25, 2022
Glenn Maxwell has pumped four boundaries from his first six deliveries at the crease to swing momentum back in Australia's favour.
Seems like Maxwell is playing on a completely different pitch. He is turning it on… Some headaches for the Sri Lankan skipper.#AUSvsSL #T20WorldCup
— Hussain Afzal (حسین افضل) (@Hussainafzal_) October 25, 2022
And that is why it was madness for anyone to suggest that Glenn Maxwell’s spot was under pressure before this World Cup. #T20WorldCup
— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) October 25, 2022
Mitchell Marsh has slapped a full delivery from Sri Lankan spinner Dhananjaya de Silva directly to the boundary rider at long-off, who barely needed to move.
The West Australian departs for 18, and Glenn Maxwell is the new man in the middle.
West Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh couldn't find the middle of his bat, eventually losing his patience and skying a chance off Dhananjaya de Silva's bowling in the seventh over.
But the difficult catch was put down at mid-wicket by Dasun Chanaka, prompting loud jeers from the Perth crowd.
Marsh survives.
Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana has struck with his first delivery of the match, removing Australian opener David Warner for 11.
Warner managed to smack a full delivery directly towards Dasun Shanaka at cover, who claimed a smart catch low to the turf.
Mitchell Marsh joins his captain in the middle.
Big wicket. Warner was getting nothing from his opening partner. Opportunity for Sri Lanka now with their spinners
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 25, 2022
Oh dear…
Horrible news for the Sri Lankans, with seamer Binura Fernando leaving the field with an injury complaint five balls into his first over.
We've seen some ordinary DRS calls this summer, but this might be the worst one yet.
In the final over of Sri Lanka's innings, Australian seamer Pat Cummins delivered a wide yorker that Chamika Karunaratne missed.
The batters scampered through for a bye, but wicketkeeper Matthew Wade appealed for caught behind.
Aussie skipper Aaron Finch called for the review, and replays showed that Karunaratne's bat had quite comfortable evaded the ball.
"What a shocker," commentator Danny Morrison said.
Sri Lanka scored 20 runs from the last over, registering a team total of 6/157 in Perth.
Introducing the newest entrant into the Review Hall Of Fame 😅#T20WorldCup | #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/1QbCqxtyBJ
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) October 25, 2022
When a caught behind referral doesn't even need snicko, you know it's bad. #T20WorldCup
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) October 25, 2022
The wickets are certainly being shared around at Perth Stadium today.
Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood has removed Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva for 1 in his final over of the evening, drawing an outside edge from the right-hander.
Six down. Chamika Karunaratne comes to the crease.
Glenn Maxwell has struck in his first over of the tournament, removing Sri Lanka's Dasun Shanaka for 3.
Shanaka smacked the Kookaburra high into the Perth skyline, and Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade did well to settle underneath the chance and complete the catch.
"Sri Lanka are in trouble. They were in a comfortable position, but that's two costly wickets," former Australian spinner Brad Hogg said on SEN.
Five down now. Wanindu Hasaranga is the new man in the middle.
Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign has been derailed despite the team’s comprehensive victory over Pakistan in Dubai.
South Australia’s new captain played a stirring innings to save his side as Test stars flexed their muscles on the final day of Shield action.
A Test bolter has emerged as Australian selectors face a nightmare scenario with a star all-rounder facing a long stint on the sidelines.