T20 World Cup: David Warner back in form as Australia beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets
Friday, 29 October 2021 (09:32 IST)
Dubai: David Warner roared back to form as the Australian opener smashed a half-century in his team's convincing seven-wicket win against Sri Lanka in Super 12's Group 1 encounter of ICC T20 World Cup here on Thursday.
Warner slammed a 42-ball 65 as Aussies chase down a 155-run target with seven wickets and 18 balls to spare. The southpaw was aptly backed by captain Aaron Finch (37 off 23) and Steve Smith (28 off 26) as the Australian top-order found their form ahead of upcoming crucial encounters. Wanindu Hasaranga (2/22) and skipper Dasun Sanaka (1/6) picked up consolatory wickets for the Lankans, who put up a sporadic performance on the night.
Earlier batting first, Sri Lanka put up 154/6 on the board with Kusal Perera (35 off 25 balls) and Bhanuka Rajapakse (33* off 26) top-scoring for the Island nation.
Chasing 155, Finch and Warner gave a flying start to the Aussies by quickly adding 70 runs in 41 balls for the first wicket.
A minor blip did come in the chase as they lost two quick wickets -Finch and Glenn Maxwell (5 off 6) - as the scoreboard showed 95/2 at the halfway mark of the innings.
Warner then paired up with former captain Steve Smith (28 off 26) to add 50 runs off 39 and took the game away from Lankans.
Warner fell late as a consolatory wicket to Shanaka; leaving Smith to finish off the job with Marcus Stoinis (16* off 7). (UNI)
