And so it was that Australia, with a new-look opening partnership of David Warner and Glenn Maxwell (Aaron Finch was unavailable due to injury) and under the captaincy of Warner, the visitors set out to continue the winning momentum that they had established in the ODI series.
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Australia posted a record T20I score of 263-3 against Australia as Glenn Maxwell blasted 145 not out off 65 balls in Pallekele.
Glenn Maxwell’s 145 unbeaten in just 65 deliveries powered Australia to the highest total in Twenty20 global cricket – 263/3 in 20 overs against Sri Lanka in the first match here on Tuesday.
In reply, Sri Lanka were never in the chase after losing openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kusal Perera (4) in the first two overs of the innings.
Australia piled up the highest ever total in a Twenty20 worldwide on the way to a crushing 85-run victory over Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Tuesday.
Maxwell made the most of his chance, piling up nine sixes, as he narrowly fell short of his former housemate Finch’s individual record score of 156, scored against England at the Ageas Bowl three years ago.
Australia needed 14 off the final over and although they opened with two singles, three straight boundaries from Head ensured they overhauled the record with a ball to spare.
Sri Lanka had held both records.
“Me and the coach had a word yesterday”. Credit to him, he has worked hard.
Sri Lanka captain Chandimal was disappointed with his team’s bowling.
“But we couldn’t do that”.
Australia put on 97 for the second wicket before Usman Khawaja fell for 36 off 22.
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The second and final match of the T20 series is in Colombo on Friday.
