Sri Lanka, which is yet to recover from their huge loss to Australia in Adelaide on Sunday, was beaten effortlessly again by the hosts in the second Twenty20 in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Arriving in Down Under after a 3-0 series win against Pakistan, the islanders had no answer to the clinical performance of Aussie bowlers.
Sri Lanka was restricted to 117 all out off 19 overs, with the tall Billy Stanlake, replacing Mitchell Starc, who skipped this match to attend his brother’s wedding, scalping two wickets. Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa, and Pat Cummins also took a brace each as Sri Lanka were hardly given any respite.
In reply, both David Warner and Steve Smith smashed half-centuries as Australia cruised to an easy victory over Lankans by nine wickets to lead the three-match series 2-0.
The only silver lining for Sri Lanka in their bowling effort today was the wicket of Aaron Finch, who didn’t open his mark, off their skipper Lasith Malinga. Warner and Smith remained unbeaten on 60 and 53, respectively, reaching their target in only 13 overs.
Smith, speaking after the match, said, “The bowlers did a terrific job, we bowled in the right areas and created chances and restricted them to 117, which wasn’t enough on this wicket.”
He added, “It’s nice and easy batting at the other end from Davy. He’s doing a terrific job. Played beautifully the other day and backed it up tonight as well.”
Australia struck first blood in the second over when Kusal Mendis was short of his crease, following a mix-up with Danushka Gunathilaka, who after hitting the ball called for a run but didn’t move.
Gunathilaka attempted to make amends by hitting Stanlake for a huge six. He, however, couldn’t last much longer as he was clean-bowled by the tall pacer for 21. Avishka Fernando, who was lured by spinner Agar, only managed to sky the ball to Cummins.
Cummins accounted for Niroshan Dickwella, who scored five, and Sri Lanka began losing their way.
Sri Lanka will be hoping to put up a much better performance when they meet Australia in the third and final T20 encounter on Friday in Melbourne.
