T20: SL beat Aus

26 January 2013 12:26 pm - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Angelo Mathews steered Sri Lanka to a five-wicket victory against Australia in the 1st Twenty20 international at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Chasing a target of 138, Thisara Perera smashed two consecutive sixes off Ben Laughlin in the 19th as Sri Lanka romped home with seven balls to spare and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Skipper Mathews remained unbeaten on a top score of 35 off 27 balls which contained three boundaries and a six as Sri Lanka finished with 139 for 5 in 18.5 overs.

It was the fourth consecutive win by top-ranked Sri Lanka against Australia in T20 internationals.

Perera made 19 off 12 balls with two sixes adding a 35 off just 21 balls during their unbroken sixth wicket stand.

Sri Lanka nearly squandered a flying start given by openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kushal Perera who put on 46 runs in just seven overs when they collapsed to 69 for 4 in the 11th over.

Lahiru Thirimanne (20) appeared to throw it away after a fifth wicket partnership of 35 with Mathews.

But all-rounder Mathews who went for plenty when he bowled, atoned for it by keeping his nerve during the frantic run-chase ably assisted by Thisara Perera.

Ben Laughlin was the most expensive going for 46 in 3.5 overs while Mitchell Starc took one for a miserly 19.

Spinners Xavier Doherty (2-21) and Glenn Maxwell (2-15) kept Australia in the hunt after David Warner's sterling knock of 90 not out had helped them make 137 for 3 in 20 oves.

Warner was later adjudged player of the match.

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Comments - 15

Saman\South africa Saturday, 26 January 2013 12:58 PM

Good Match ,and good Luck for Next one, Congratulations from south Africa

Rio Ramlan Saturday, 26 January 2013 01:39 PM

Well done Sri Lanka, it was a great win and a good start to Mathew´s Captaincy. Keep up the good work boys.

ANTON Saturday, 26 January 2013 01:51 PM

JOSAPHIAN POWER !!!

Senna Saturday, 26 January 2013 01:56 PM

Well done Angelo. Keep up your form and we need you for the next decade.

Nal Saturday, 26 January 2013 02:55 PM

I went to the match...our crowd was cheerful as usual with great fun...Had a wonderful papare band at SCG...David warner's innings couldn't help aussies....

shan Saturday, 26 January 2013 03:00 PM

Proves what we are good at. But fail what we should try to be best at. Test!

PlayBoy Saturday, 26 January 2013 03:40 PM

Angelo is definitely a promising player. He deserves the captaincy for ODIs as well..:)

Sungod Saturday, 26 January 2013 04:03 PM

Sana took the Presidency and Boys are on fire. I think Sanath done something good to Sri Lankan Cricket and he will continue do much much better things in future.
All the best!!!
Sungod

Senaka Saturday, 26 January 2013 04:23 PM

This match proves how youngsters perform better than veterans.
Mahela , Sanga and Dilshan should stop playing T20 for Sri Lanka. Good luck for the next match !

Senna Saturday, 26 January 2013 04:49 PM

Mahela and Mainga will be our stars in Melbourn. We need both of you inform for the next 4 years.

Joseph Saturday, 26 January 2013 04:54 PM

Now Mathews belongs to all Sri Lankans.... similarly Chandimal and the rest...

Jagath Leanage Sunday, 27 January 2013 08:14 AM

Bating, bowling and fielding clicked well. Hope it will be in the same in future .

indira Sunday, 27 January 2013 10:25 AM

Dilshan, Mahela and Sanga did a lot to srilankan cricket, we need young guns, but we need few veterans to guide young guns,

Amit Sunday, 27 January 2013 11:37 AM

Who cares "what the did", their performances now are just pathetic. Can't live in the past.

samanmali Sunday, 27 January 2013 12:45 PM

Kusal Perera looks good at the top he should maintain that position. Chandimal must see a brain specialist since he has brain explosion on regular basis. Keep us proud in the Melbourne game boys.

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T20: SL beat Aus

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