Nissanka Hundred Leaves Australia on the Brink of Elimination

Image: ICC

Australia were under immense pressure heading into this game against Sri Lanka. It became evident in the collapse, which saw them slump from 110/2 to 181 all out. Sri Lanka fought back in the last 10 overs and carried the momentum when they batted to chase down the total in 18 overs.

Pathum Nissanka was the architect of the eight-wicket win, their highest run chase at home. His unbeaten 100 lit up the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and ensured Sri Lanka qualified for the Super Eight of the T20 World Cup. Australia’s chances of qualification are hanging by a thread. The 2021 winners will be eliminated if Zimbabwe beat Ireland on Tuesday (Feb 17).

Marcus Stoinis ignited Aussie hopes with the early wicket of Kusal Perera, but what followed was a match-defining 97-run partnership between Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. As a senior player, Mendis took responsibility and never allowed the pressure to build on Nissanka. He contributed 51. Once Mendis was dismissed, a well-set Nissanka took on the onus and carried his team to the finish line. Pavan Rathnayake played his role to perfection with a 28-run knock.

For Australia, the inexperienced attack looked toothless. Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa, two of Australia’s best bowlers, went wicket-less. Stoinis was the pick of the lot with 2/46.

Australia made the first move on a pristine batting surface and raced to 100 in just 8.2 overs — the fastest team hundred in T20 World Cups in Sri Lanka, surpassing their previous record of 9.1 overs against the West Indies at Colombo (RPS) in 2012.

Playing his first game after recovering from a testicular injury, Mitchell Marsh showed no signs of rustiness and took on the bowlers from the word go. Along with Travis Head, he amassed 70 runs in the power play, the highlight being five consecutive fours in the sixth over bowled by Mahesh Theekshana. Neither pace nor spin worked against the openers. Nothing, in fact, seemed to trouble them. There was no assistance from the pitch.

But there was a twist in the tale. Head fell for 56, and Marsh followed soon after. The innings lost direction as Australia slipped from a strong position by losing four for 26. The inexperienced Dushan Hemantha, replacing Wanindu Hasaranga, along with Dunith Wellalage and Kamindu Mendis, did the damage. They not only applied the brakes but also took crucial wickets.

Josh Inglis and Glenn Maxwell tried to steady the innings, but the tempo had dipped. The last 10 overs produced only 71 runs, with eight wickets falling. Despite losing Matheesha Pathirana in the third over, Sri Lanka bowled brilliantly in the second half of the first innings. Hemantha was the standout with 3/37.

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The post Nissanka Hundred Leaves Australia on the Brink of Elimination appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.



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