Defending champions Australia registered their opening win in the T20 World Cup 2022, defeating Sri Lanka by seven wickets at Optus Stadium in Perth on Tuesday.
Bowling first, the Aussies restricted Sri Lanka to 157/6 in 20 overs, with Mitchell Starc (1/23) and Josh Hazlewood (1/26) bowling economical spells. Charith Asalanka was the highest scorer for the Islanders with an unbeaten 38 off 25 deliveries, including three fours and a couple of sixes.
Apart from the disciplined bowling display, Australia put up a brilliant fielding exhibition as well. One such eye-catching instance happened when David Warner’s brilliance in the field saved a certain boundary.
It all happened on the fourth ball of the 11th over of Lankan innings bowled by all-rounder Marcus Stoinis when Dhananjaya de Silva went for a biggie over long-off.
Warner, who was positioned at mid-off, sprinted backwards and attempted a full-length dive to nearly take an impossible-looking catch. In the process, Warner lobbed the ball back before crashing over the ropes to save crucial runs for his side.
Here is the video:
Speaking about the chase, Australia lost three wickets for 89 in 12.2 overs before Stoinis produced a whirlwind knock to finish the proceedings in 16.3 overs.
Stoinis smashed the fastest half-century for Australia during his match-winning unbeaten 59 off 18 balls, including 4 fours and 6 sixes.
“To be honest, I was really nervous today being at home in Perth lot of family and friends here. So, I was really nervous going into it, but really happy that we ended on putting up a clinic there. Mentally I was nice and fresh, I had a bit of time off looking after the side strain, it’s been sort of plaguing me on and off for a while now, but so far, so good. We played here the other day against England, and it was a beautiful wicket,” said Stoinis in the post-match presentation.
