Sri Lanka v Australia, 2016
Wisden's review of the first Twenty20 International, Sri Lanka v Australia, 2016
Adam Collins
15-Apr-2017
At Pallekele, September 6, 2016 (floodlit). Australia won by 85 runs. Toss: Sri Lanka. Twenty20 international debut: S. S. Pathirana.
With Aaron Finch ruled out because of his broken finger, Maxwell asked to fill the opening vacancy. And, despite a poor year in which he had lost his 50-over spot, he blasted a maiden Twenty20 century, as Australia cruised to victory. His 65-ball 145 was the second-highest innings at this level, bettered only by Finch's 156 against England at the Rose Bowl in 2013. Head followed Maxwell's lead, clocking 45 in 18 balls at the death, including a six off the penultimate delivery to bring up the format's highest total, overtaking Sri Lanka's own 260 against Kenya at Johannesburg during the 2007 World Twenty20; Australia also equalled the highest score in all 20-over cricket (Royal Challengers Bangalore made 263 for five against Pune Warriors in the 2013 IPL). Defending that monolith posed no problems, especially after Dilshan chopped on in the first over. A brisk halfcentury from Chandimal could only limit the damage.
Man of the Match: G. J. Maxwell.
With Aaron Finch ruled out because of his broken finger, Maxwell asked to fill the opening vacancy. And, despite a poor year in which he had lost his 50-over spot, he blasted a maiden Twenty20 century, as Australia cruised to victory. His 65-ball 145 was the second-highest innings at this level, bettered only by Finch's 156 against England at the Rose Bowl in 2013. Head followed Maxwell's lead, clocking 45 in 18 balls at the death, including a six off the penultimate delivery to bring up the format's highest total, overtaking Sri Lanka's own 260 against Kenya at Johannesburg during the 2007 World Twenty20; Australia also equalled the highest score in all 20-over cricket (Royal Challengers Bangalore made 263 for five against Pune Warriors in the 2013 IPL). Defending that monolith posed no problems, especially after Dilshan chopped on in the first over. A brisk halfcentury from Chandimal could only limit the damage.
Man of the Match: G. J. Maxwell.