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- Jan 13, 2010
Australia continued their demolishing ways with a convincing 81 run win over Sri Lanka. Cameron “Bear” White destroyed Sri Lanka with 85 off 49 balls and then did a bear like jump to remove Dilshan.
Once again Australia started off the match with Warner and Watson striding to the crease. Similarly to the Bangladesh match, neither openers got going. Watson was out for 1 after chopping the ball onto his stumps and Warner struggled to get his timing going, opting the slog myself out of trouble mentality. This resulted in his downfall when he tried to whack Randiv out of the ground, only to get a thick edge to Jayawardene. Haddin came in at 3 and departed before Warner but not before hitting 3 boundaries.
At 3/30 Australia were looking in trouble, especially given the recent middle order problems. David Hussey departed straight after Warner, offering Randiv with a hattrick opportunity. Clarke kept the hattrick ball out but Australia were in dire straights at 4/30. Clarke played his usual Test knock which you could say was just what the doctor asked for. Randiv ended up getting his third wicket when Clarke tried to cut one too close to his body, ending up being clean bowled. At 5/67 the ‘get the Aussie openers cheaply and watch them fall’ theory appeared to be spot on.
White and Michael Hussey had other ideas, first steadying the ship up to the 16th over with the score at 5/106. Then came the match turning point when Cameron White, brute hit Welegedara for two sixes, straight over his head. Before that, Welegedara had bowled 4 perfectly placed yorkers. Malinga who had proved difficult to get away in the previous over, was taken to by Michael “Masterclass” Hussey, taking him for 16 runs including a nonchalant sweep shot for four. Mendis replaced Welegedara and White tried to get the ball replaced with two more sixes, leaving 16 runs for himself to make a 100 in the last over. The 100 was not to be with Hussey smacking Malinga for a six and four, guiding Australia to a competitive 5/168.
Sri Lanka started confidently against the pace demons, reaching 16 runs from 2.2 overs. Australia’s most consistent paceman, Nannes dealt the first blow to the innings taking out the best batsmen in this tournament, Jayawardene. The law of averages caught up with Jayawardene but he still looked good in his 9 runs and his average is still a Bradman like 96. Tait backed up his new ball partner removing Sangakkara with a short ball. Jayasuriya struggled with the pace of Nannes who trapped him LBW.
Mathews dispatched his first ball from Nannes for four before Dilshan and Mathews smacked Watson for 17 runs. It appeared the Dilshan of old was reappearing until Cameron White jumped like a bear to pull of one of the best catches you will see and in the process ensure Australia were not the team to get Dilshan back into form. Mathews departed in the same over leaving Sri Lanka’s chase in tatters at 5/49.
Sri Lanka needed a White/Hussey like partnership to keep them in this game and they attempted their best impersonation of that partnership going 4 overs without a wicket. Steven Smith ensured the partnership would go no further with a quicker straight one, clean bowling Kapugedera. When Randiv was run out by a direct hit in the deep by Nannes, SL hopes of a victory was well and truly in flames. In a similar position to India in the previous match, Sri Lanka needed to get as close to Australia’s total to ensure their net run rate didn’t take a pummeling. Unlike India they were unable to get some late hitting away, ending up being bowled all out for 87.
Australia ended up convincing winners after a shaky start in the batting. Hussey again proved the main for a crisis and White enjoyed the extra time at the crease. Nannes kicked things off in the bowling ending with 2-19 off his 3, Tait economical at 1-10 off 2 with Johnson (3-15) and Smith (2-12) finishing things off.
Key Matchup results
Australian batsmen vs Randiv, Mendis – There were a few wobbles against Randiv (3-20) who reduced Australia to 5/67 but they ended up playing Mendis just fine taking him for 42. An even contest in the end so the points are split for this round.
Malinga vs Watson – This battle never got off the ground with Malinga not opening the bowling and Watson not surviving long enough.
Mahela Jayawardene vs Pace Trio – Jayawardene only got to face the pace duo and the pace of Nannes’ short one grabbed the leading run scorer giving Australia the points.
Key points to note from the match for Australia
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At 3/30 Australia were looking in trouble, especially given the recent middle order problems. David Hussey departed straight after Warner, offering Randiv with a hattrick opportunity. Clarke kept the hattrick ball out but Australia were in dire straights at 4/30. Clarke played his usual Test knock which you could say was just what the doctor asked for. Randiv ended up getting his third wicket when Clarke tried to cut one too close to his body, ending up being clean bowled. At 5/67 the ‘get the Aussie openers cheaply and watch them fall’ theory appeared to be spot on.
White and Michael Hussey had other ideas, first steadying the ship up to the 16th over with the score at 5/106. Then came the match turning point when Cameron White, brute hit Welegedara for two sixes, straight over his head. Before that, Welegedara had bowled 4 perfectly placed yorkers. Malinga who had proved difficult to get away in the previous over, was taken to by Michael “Masterclass” Hussey, taking him for 16 runs including a nonchalant sweep shot for four. Mendis replaced Welegedara and White tried to get the ball replaced with two more sixes, leaving 16 runs for himself to make a 100 in the last over. The 100 was not to be with Hussey smacking Malinga for a six and four, guiding Australia to a competitive 5/168.
Sri Lanka started confidently against the pace demons, reaching 16 runs from 2.2 overs. Australia’s most consistent paceman, Nannes dealt the first blow to the innings taking out the best batsmen in this tournament, Jayawardene. The law of averages caught up with Jayawardene but he still looked good in his 9 runs and his average is still a Bradman like 96. Tait backed up his new ball partner removing Sangakkara with a short ball. Jayasuriya struggled with the pace of Nannes who trapped him LBW.
Mathews dispatched his first ball from Nannes for four before Dilshan and Mathews smacked Watson for 17 runs. It appeared the Dilshan of old was reappearing until Cameron White jumped like a bear to pull of one of the best catches you will see and in the process ensure Australia were not the team to get Dilshan back into form. Mathews departed in the same over leaving Sri Lanka’s chase in tatters at 5/49.
Sri Lanka needed a White/Hussey like partnership to keep them in this game and they attempted their best impersonation of that partnership going 4 overs without a wicket. Steven Smith ensured the partnership would go no further with a quicker straight one, clean bowling Kapugedera. When Randiv was run out by a direct hit in the deep by Nannes, SL hopes of a victory was well and truly in flames. In a similar position to India in the previous match, Sri Lanka needed to get as close to Australia’s total to ensure their net run rate didn’t take a pummeling. Unlike India they were unable to get some late hitting away, ending up being bowled all out for 87.
Australia ended up convincing winners after a shaky start in the batting. Hussey again proved the main for a crisis and White enjoyed the extra time at the crease. Nannes kicked things off in the bowling ending with 2-19 off his 3, Tait economical at 1-10 off 2 with Johnson (3-15) and Smith (2-12) finishing things off.
Key Matchup results
Australian batsmen vs Randiv, Mendis – There were a few wobbles against Randiv (3-20) who reduced Australia to 5/67 but they ended up playing Mendis just fine taking him for 42. An even contest in the end so the points are split for this round.
Malinga vs Watson – This battle never got off the ground with Malinga not opening the bowling and Watson not surviving long enough.
Mahela Jayawardene vs Pace Trio – Jayawardene only got to face the pace duo and the pace of Nannes’ short one grabbed the leading run scorer giving Australia the points.
Key points to note from the match for Australia
- In both matches where the openers failed, Michael Hussey was the man for the crisis.
- Cameron White fired his first shot this tournament in his 85.
- The pace trio continue to share their wickets, Johnson this time the star.
- The two batsmen yet to fire (Clarke, Haddin) also have poor T20I records.
- Steven Smith has 6 wickets at 16.5
- Shane Watson’s bowling has been ineffective this tournament with his 1 wicket costing 82 runs.
- Australia’s best performing spinner (David Hussey) hasn’t bowled for 2 matches.
- This was Jayawardene first failure for the tournament but his average still sits at 96!
- Randiv proved a more than adequate replacement for Murali taking 3-21.
- Mathews had his best bowling performance with 2-24 including the wicket of Watson.
- Sri Lanka’s star due (Mendis, Malinga) had an off day with the ball.
- Dislhan’s 20 runs was his highest score this tournament.
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