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Australia vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I: Asela Gunaratne’s heroics, Nuwan Kulasekara’s 4-for, and other highlights

From 40 for 5 to series win, let us have a look at the top highlights of this encounter at Simonds Stadium, Victoria.

user-circle cricketcountry.com Written by Cricket Country Staff
Published: Feb 19, 2017, 08:59 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 19, 2017, 08:59 PM (IST)

Sri Lanka became the 2nd team to beat Australia in their home in a 3-match T20I series © Getty Images
Sri Lanka became the 2nd team to beat Australia in their home in a 3-match T20I series © Getty Images

30 off 10. 14 off 6. 2 off 1. No slogging. No heaving. There was nothing T20-like in Asela Gunaratne‘s characteristic knock in the second contest of the three-match T20I series against Australia in their own den. From Lasith Malinga‘s slower delivery to Nuwan Kulasekara‘s four-wicket haul, it was nothing less than a crackerjack of a contest. From Sri Lanka’s successful run in the shortest format to Australia’s struggle with the new-look team, we saw some top-drawer cricket. And from 40 for 5 to series win, let us have a look at the top highlights of this encounter at Simonds Stadium, Victoria:

Aaron flinches after Sanjaya’s delivery: Australia lost their captain Aaron Finch after he scored a boundary each off Malinga and Kulasekara in the first 2 overs. However, Finch closed the face of the bat off Vikum Sanjaya’s late-swinging length ball.

Ben dunks the ball: Dunk went berserk. He scored 32 off 20 inclusive of 3 sixes and as many fours. All the same, four of the boundaries came off Dilshan Munaweera’s over.

Soon, Gunaratne knocks him over with an absolute peach of a delivery.

Michael clings to his attacking brand of cricket: Despite losing wickets at other end, Klinger played a resolute 43. Here is Klinger shuffling and easing one over deep fine-leg.

Henriqeus’ resounding fifty: Australia lost 7 wickets in the last 7 overs. Amidst this ruins, Henriques scored an unbeaten 56 to take the total to 173 all-out.

Butter fingers: First Kapugedera drops Henriques at long-on and then Manuweera drops Travis Head at deep third-man.

And then Siriwardana takes a blinder…

Malinga at his best: Malinga took 2 for 31 and both were lbw. However, one of them outfoxed Faulkner with a slower one, making him force into the shot early.

Nuwan’s cool performance under pressure: Kulasekara fell one wicket short of becoming only the second player to take a  five-for across formats. He then followed it with a 41-run stand with Gunaratne for the 8th wicket.

That should hurt: This is not the first time Pat Cummins did this. It seems he needs to work on his landing.

Get out of the way, mate: Whose fault is it? Should the bowler get out of the track once he delivers? Or should he not react at all in this gentlemanly game?

Nuwan knows that Kulasekara can bat?: Do not mind the pun. In his 41-run stand, Kulasekara played some delightful strokes. Well, this one is more of a whip but indeed a delightful one.

Gunaratne’s late blitz: He was awarded Man of the Match for his stunning 84 not out, including 6 fours and 5 sixes. All the same, the turning point of the match was when Sri Lanka needed 36 off the last 2 overs. Gunaratne hit three sixes and a four off Henriques, in the penultimate over. However, it was the last over that changed the tables completely, as Sri Lanka chased down 14 off it, thanks to Gunaratne’s terrific batting display.

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