T20 World Cup 2022, AUS vs SL: Stoinis stands tall as Australia register a thumping win

Marcus Stoinis slammed a blistering fifty [Source: Twitter]

The seventh Super 12 encounter of the ongoing T20 World Cup witnessed Australia register a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in Perth. The defending champions opened their account in the points table with this astounding victory. 

Asalanka ensures a fitting finish for Sri Lanka

After being put into bat, Sri Lanka began their innings miserably, losing in-form Kusal Mendis to Pat Cummins in the second over. However, Pathum Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva (26 off 23) steadied the Lankan ship, adding vital 69 runs for the second wicket. 

But to Sri Lanka's misfortune, De Silva's dismissal triggered a collapse that reduced them to 120 for six in 17.3 overs. Although Nissanka contributed 40 runs, he consumed 45 balls for it. His sloth-paced knock put the Lankan middle order under immense pressure to accelerate, which they succumbed to one after the other. 

Asalanka played a useful knock [Source: Twitter]

However, amidst the chaos, Charith Asalanka took charge to hammer a fabulous 25-ball 38* with the help of three fours and two sixes. Chamika Karunaratne's quick-fire 14-run cameo also helped, as Sri Lanka posted a defendable 157 on the board in 20 overs. 

Stoinis' cameo leaves Sri Lanka shell-shocked

Much like their opponents, Australia had an underwhelming start to their innings, as David Warner recorded his second consecutive failure, being dismissed for 11 in the fifth over. Two of Australia's biggest hopes, Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell, couldn't convert their starts into big scores, getting out for 17 and 23, respectively. 

With Aaron Finch struggling to accelerate at one end, Australia needed a herculean effort from one of their remaining batters to break the shackles. Marcus Stoinis did precisely that and emerged as Australia's saviour by hammering a magnificent 18-ball 59*, taking them past the finish line with 21 balls to spare. 

Stoinis particularly went after the Lankan spinners and smashed four boundaries and six humongous sixes to for his brutal half-century. In this process, he set the record for the fastest fifty by an Australian in T20Is. 

Brief Scores

Sri Lanka: 157/6 (20)
Pathum Nissanka 40 (45), Charith Asalanka 38* (25);
Glenn Maxwell 1/5 (1), Mitchell Starc 1/23 (4)

Australia: 158/3 (16.3)
Marcus Stoinis 59* (18), Aaron Finch 31* (42);
Dhananjaya de Silva 1/18 (2.1), Chamika Karunaratne 1/21 (3)

Australia won by seven wickets.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2022: What led to West Indies' group stage exit?