Malinga wonders how to handle the Aussies in the next matches

By Dhammika Ratnaweera

Beaten by a record margin of 134 runs against the Australians, Sri Lankan skipper Lasith Malinga said that it was too tough for the young Sri Lankan to face the home side in their conditions.

“Our bowlers didn’t find the right line and length, we know how good Australia are. It’s a good learning experience for us and the young bowlers.” Malinga said. “We know it’s tough conditions and a good team but before the World Cup, it’s an opportunity for us. We want to complete. They have tall fast bowlers, we have to look at how we handle it in the next matches.” said Malinga.

David Warner who celebrated his 33^rd birthday made his maiden century as Australians defeated Sri Lanka by massive 134 runs in the first T-20 game of the three-match series played at Adelaide Oval cricket grounds today (27). This is a good eye-opener for the Sri Lankan team led by Lasith Malinga who was very disappointed with the poor performances of the team from all three departments.

Maxwell was out last over of the innings hit 62 in 28 balls with 7 fours and three sixers while Warne completed his maiden century last ball of the innings which came on 56 balls. Rajitha was the most disappointed bowler of the Sri Lanka innings punished with 75 for no loss in is 4 overs quota and his figures were the most runs conceded from the bowler in the T- 20 internationals.

Earlier Malinga won the toss and invited to bat for Aussies first but openers Skipper Aaron Finch and David Warner made a superb start to struggle Sri Lankan bowlers from the beginning. Openers added quick 122 runs in 10.5 overs and their power play in just six overs added 57 for no loss with three paceman Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep and Kasun Rajitha heavily punished by the openers to hit the ball all over the grounds. Finch was out 64 in just 36 balls off the bowling of Lakshan Sandakan and then Glen Maxwell promoted to bat ahead of Steve Smith build up the innings from the first ball his faced.  He scored 62 in just 28 balls Australians scored 233 for 2 in 20 overs which was the highest team total for Australia in T -20 cricket.

    Sri Lankan openers Dhanushka Gunatilleka and Kusal Mendis were unable to make a good start with Mendis was out for a duck in the first over bowled by Michel Starc and Gunatilleka hit two fours against Starc but finally out for Pat Cummins scoring only 13 runs. Bhanuka Rajapakshe the hard-hitting stroke maker also returned back to the pavilion after scoring 2 runs with Cummins getting his second wicket but Oshada Fernando was able to prevent Cummins hat trick with collecting single. Sri Lankan middle-order also collapsed with spinners Adam Sampa  3 for 14 and Ashton Argur 1 for 13 with  their tidy spells . Finally Sri Lankan managed to get 99 for 9 wickets in their 20 overs with Aussies recorded 134 runs win which was the heaviest defeat for Sri Lanka in T20 cricket.

“Our bowlers didn’t find the right line and length said disappointed skipper Malinga We know how good Australia are. It’s a good learning experience for us and the young bowlers. We know it’s tough conditions and a good team but before the World Cup it’s an opportunity for us. We want to complete. They have tall fast bowlers, we have to look how we handle it in the next matches.”

Meanwhile, winning skipper Aaron Finch said about their great start,   the way Davey played and how Maxi went from ball one. Our spinners did an amazing job against good players of spin. It was about doing our things really well, we know when you top-order fires we have a lot of power. You always want to start well, a pretty clinical performance.”