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Australia defeated Sri Lanka in the second T20I to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ongoing three-match series at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday.
Chasing a paltry target of 125, the Aussie batting order was rocked by Wanindu Hasaranga as the leg-spinner picked up four wickets to reduce the visitors to 99/7 in 12 overs.
However, Matthew Wade kept his cool and made sure the tourists finished the proceedings comfortably. The wicketkeeper-batter scored an unbeaten 26 to take Australia home in 17.5 overs with three wickets in hand.
Earlier, a disciplined bowling exhibition by Australians restricted the Islanders to 124/9 in their allotted 20 overs.
The Richardson duo (Kane and Jhye) shared seven wickets to demolish the Sri Lanka batting unit. While Jhye picked up three scalps for 26 in 4 overs, Kane bagged a four-wicket haul while conceding 30 in 4 overs.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Matthew Wade and Jhye Richardson keeping their cool at the end with the bat #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/jrOEZlLHSq
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 8, 2022
A weird chase from Australia but Matthew Wade gets the job done. A reminder from Wanindu Hasaranga of his star quality (not that it was needed). Will be a key figure as this tour goes on. #SLvAUS
— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) June 8, 2022
Sri Lanka fight back hard but Australia win the 2nd #SLvAUS T20I by 3 wickets. pic.twitter.com/5AGi2GuWir
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) June 8, 2022
Hasaranga! What an over! Australia have made this a hard chase but you have to give a lot of credit to Sri Lanka's bowlers. #SLvAUS
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) June 8, 2022
That @MStoinis reaction in the background summed up everything about that Kusal Mendis hit-wicket dismissal #SLvAus pic.twitter.com/ipjCUZpLSV
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) June 8, 2022
Hasaranga has taken 61 wickets from just 37 games at an average of 13.84 and an economy of 6.59 in T20I – he has taken the shorter format by storm. pic.twitter.com/pITi8ZfRLh
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 8, 2022
Great night to be a Richardson 😎#SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/vEyvIwyidr
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) June 8, 2022
Kane Richardson took 4-30 as SL finished on 124-9 in the 2nd T20I
Australia win today, they win the series#SLvAUS
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) June 8, 2022
How good has Matthew Wade been for AUS in T20Is? Batting out of order at no 7, won AUS the T20 WC semi final with explosive finishing, today finished calmly a tense chase.
Big match winner under pressure. Supreme fighter with never say die mentality
— MOHD FUZAIL AHMAD (@mohdfuzailahmad) June 8, 2022
Nervy chase for Australia .. Matthew Wade is their main man as he top scores with 26 and guided Australia to a narrow 3 wicket win #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/pL4AKvrjK7
— 🅒🅡🅘︎🅒︎🄲🅁🄰🅉🅈𝗠𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗨™ 🇮🇳❤️ (@MSDianMrigu) June 8, 2022