Dubai, Oct 28: Vintage David Warner answered his critics with a sizzling 42-ball-65 as Australia cruised to seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a Super 12 game of the ICC T20 World Cup here on Thursday.
Warner, who has gone through a lean patch, was back in his element as his 10 fours made it easy for Australia to chase down the target of 155 in only 17 overs.
It was Australia’s second win in as many Super 12 games and they look like a strong contender apart from England in the group to move into the semifinals.
Warner was involved in two solid partnerships, – 70 in 6.5 overs with skipper Finch (37) and another 50 in 6.3 overs with former skipper Steve Smith (28*).
In the end, the chase seemed like a walk in the park for the Aussies, who were better in all departments of the game against Sri Lanka who lost their way between 10th and 13th over of their own innings.
However, the day belonged Warner, who was at his best and it only helped him that the Sri Lankan bowlers missed their length on most occasions which gave enough time to rock back and play those customary pull-shots.
Warner, had a terrible last month in the UAE when he had a public fall-out with the Sunrisers Hyderabad management. He wasn’t allowed in the stadium by the franchise management, which had earlier stripped him of his captaincy.
Mitchell Starc bowled the “ball of the tournament” as Australia engineered a mid-innings collapse which went a long way in restricting the islanders to 154 for 6. Starc (2/27) bowled a brilliant comeback delivery in the form of a vicious inswinging yorker which saw the end of Kusal Perera as Sri Lanka lost four quick wickets for 16 runs to slump to 94 for 5 from a relatively strong 78 for 1 in little under three overs.
Bhanuka Rakaspakse (33*), then launched into Australian attack’s weak-link Marcus Stoinis (0/35) to get Sri Lanka somewhat back on track. (PTI)
