In the game of opposite ends, Sri Lanka were disappointed with their batting after a commendable job by the bowlers, especially in the backend of Australia’s innings to restrict them to 149/9 in 20 overs. In reply, Sri Lanka could not advance further and pushed further back by Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood. Who picked up seven wickets between them to help Australia start with a 20-run victory in the post-Langer era.

Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood bowled 12 dot deliveries in the first three overs of Sri Lanka’s chase, shaping the ball and swinging quickly. In order not to let their bowlers’ effort go in vain. The Sri Lankan batsmen mostly began to dodge their bat off the ball. Which proved to be an utterly chaotic powerplay in the chase. The approach brought sixes off a few balls, but Australia also accounted for the wickets of Danushka Gunathilaka and Aviska Fernando and Sri Lanka could only manage 30/2 in 6 overs.

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Sri Lanka’s hopes of progressing in the middle overs shattered by Adam Zampa

Sri Lanka’s hopes of advancing in the middle overs hit by Adam Zampa. And his quest to propel his T20 World Cup squad since last November. Although Patham Nissenka and Charith Aslanka got some boundaries from Starc and Cummins after the powerplay, Zampa came back to dismiss both in the same over – Nissenka made a loopy delivery at long on and Aslanka hit a googly.

He killed while sweeping the slog. Steve Smith to deep midwicket. Sri Lanka promoted Hasaranga in an attempt to increase the scoring rate, but the experiment lasted a few overs before Hasaranga’s third wicket for Zampa. As Zampa chasing Sri Lanka, a second rain break brought the game to a brief halt. It looked like the kind of break that would benefit Sri Lanka, regrouping after a volatile period, but when the game resumed, they fell further into the abyss. Sri Lanka were set a revised target of 143 runs in 19 overs, but it was too far a bridge for the visitors.

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This is because Hazlewood bowled two wonderfully disguise slow deliveries to watch the backs of skipper Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne. After re-starting Sri Lanka, Dinesh Chandimal hit 90 for 7 in the first over, hitting Pat Cummins for two fours to indicate that the chase was still on. Dead, but urgency meant more risk, leading to the wicket of Dushmant Chamira at the other end, becoming Hazlewood’s fourth wicket of the evening. The Australian pacer finished with 4 for 12 in 4 overs, a spell that also included 11 dot balls.

Sri Lankan bowlers justify Shanaka’s call to bowl first

Earlier in the day, Sri Lankan bowlers justified Shanaka’s call to bowl first. It was largely led by Hasaranga. And his now famous deceptively wrong ‘un, who previously upset Aaron Finch inside the powerplay. Hasaranga also deceived Glenn Maxwell and Steve Smith. The former with a full toss and the latter with a googly – but the runs came thick and fast. Between these wickets, Australia’s essay recreated by debutant Josh Inglis. And BBL hotshot Ben McDermott, who scored his maiden T20I fifty.

Australia were progressing at a good pace, on course to post a big total in the vicinity of 170-180. Until Hasaranga’s third wicket shattered. Chamika Karunaratne ended McDermott’s scintillating 53 in an exceptional five-run over. But Australia still had a shot at turning the tables. Marcus Stoinis wreaked havoc on Mahesh Thekshana and Dushmantha Chameera. Taking Australia to 140 for 5 in 17 for 111 for 5 in 15 overs. However, the next three exceptional overs came with the potential to rekindle the direction in which the fixture headed.

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Binura Fernando dismissed both Stoinis and Matthew Wade in successive deliveries and Chamira dismissed Starc and Cummins. Australia lost four wickets in that small space. Reduced to 149 for 9 in the last three overs after scoring just nine runs. It looked a bit under-par at the half stage. But the Australian bowlers minced that launch, securing a comfortable 20-run win.

Mika Karunaratne 2-22) beat Sri Lanka 122/8 in 19 overs

Brief scores: Australia 149/9 in 20 overs (Ben McDermott 53, Marcus Stoinis 30; Wanindu Hasaranga 3-38, Binura Fernando 2-12, Chamika Karunaratne 2-22) beat Sri Lanka 122/8 in 19 overs ( Pathum Nisanka 36), Dinesh Chandimal 25*; Josh Hazlewood 4-12, Adam Zampa 3-18) by 20 runs (DLS Method)