In a pulsating T20 World Cup Group B showdown at Pallekele, Australia rallied to 181/8 after a solid opening blitz from Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, handing Sri Lanka a steep 182-run chase. The hosts, unbeaten so far, face pressure to maintain their top spot against a wounded Australian side hungry for points.
Opting to field first, Sri Lanka saw the duo plunder 104 runs in the powerplay. Head’s aggressive 56 (29 balls, 7×4, 3×6) ended abruptly, leading to four wickets tumbling for 26 runs. Marsh’s gritty 54 (27 balls, 8×4, 2×6) provided stability, but the lower order struggled.
Inglis contributed a brisk 27 (22 balls, 3×6) in a 30-run partnership with Maxwell (22 off 15). Hemantha’s 3/27 was the standout bowling effort, with Chameera grabbing two. Theekshana, Wellalage, and Mendis chipped in with wickets.
Australia’s playing XI: Marsh (c), Head, Green, David, Inglis (wk), Stoinis, Maxwell, Connolly, Bartlett, Ellis, Zampa. Sri Lanka: Nissanka, Perera, Mendis (wk), Rathnayake, Shanaka (c), Mendis, Hemantha, Wellalage, Chameera, Theekshana, Pathirana.
As twilight descends on Pallekele, Sri Lanka’s batsmen must fire to chase down the total and stay ahead in the points table. Australia’s pace battery looms large.