In lots of T20 games, teams don’t even make a score as big as the margin of Australia’s win today. They have thumped the Sri Lankans, who actually have an excellent record of winning T20 series in Australia. But often Australian teams of the past have been a bit haphazard, where now the format is being taken a bit more seriously.
Finch was destructive early, allowing Warner to ease into his day. Warner then charged on to a fast century, his first in the format and his 39th international century overall, and on his 33rd birthday for the finishing touch. When Finch fell for 64, Glenn Maxwell came in for one of his trademark whirlwinds, 62 from 28 balls at a strike rate of 221.
Sri Lanka were never likely to get near 234, but their batting reply was overcooked asparagus. The Australians didn’t have to outbowl them, they really just put the ball there and waited a very short time for mistakes.
Spare a thought for Rajitha – 0 for 75 and a second-ball duck. But, terrible games happen in T20s, and good ones might be just around the corner. Sri Lanka will need to get their act together in Melbourne in a couple of days.
