T20 World Cup: David Warner returns to form as Australia defeat Sri Lanka

28-10-2021
2 min read

Australia made it two wins from two matches at the T20 World Cup with a seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka overnight.

Pleasingly for the Aussies, star opening batsman David Warner returned to form with a half-century, while leg-spinner Adam Zampa proved the difference-maker with the ball.

Skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and opted to bowl first against a Sri Lankan side coming off an opening-match win over Bangladesh.

A second-wicket stand of 63 had Sri Lanka in a decent position in the 10th over before Zampa claimed the wickets of Charith Asalanka, and then Aviska Fernando shortly after, to put the brakes on the scoring.

Zampa finished with 2/12 from his four overs, while Mitchell Starc (2/27) and Pat Cummins (2/34) claimed the only other wickets. 

Josh Hazlewood claimed tidy figures of 0/26 as Sri Lanka finished their 20 overs on 6/154.

In a well-documented scoring rut, Warner looked determined to hit his way into form and fortune favoured him on 18 when keeper Kusal Perera dropped a simple chance.

Warner and Finch put on 70 for the first wicket at better than 10 an over, before Wanindu Hasaranga claimed the wickets of Finch and Glenn Maxwell in quick succession.

Steve Smith and Warner then steadied the ship before the latter was removed for 65, though Marcus Stoinis was able to guide Australia home with three overs to spare.

Take a look at the highlights here.

Australia's next match is against fellow unbeaten side England on Sunday night, while Sri Lanka will look to get back in the winners' circle against South Africa tomorrow.

More to come.