2nd T20I: Australia deny Sri Lanka in Super Over to take 2-0 series lead
India Today
Australia beat Sri Lanka in a Super Over in the second T20 international in Sydney on Sunday as Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka struck a brilliant 73 from 53 balls in vain.
Australia registered a thrilling win in the Super Over after being tied with Sri Lanka at the end of the stipulated 20 overs each for both sides in the second T20I of the five-match series at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday.
Australia posted 164 for 6 and were cruising to victory until powerful hitting by Nissanka and captain Dasun Shanaka (34 from 19 balls) kept the touring side in the game and they finished level on 164 for 8. In the tie-breaking Super Over, Australia's Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell easily chased down the five-run target set by Sri Lanka to put their side 2-0 up in the five-match series.
Josh Hazlewood was the pick of Australia's bowlers, taking 3/22 in addition to his miserly Super Over, capping a brilliant weekend for the 31-year-old after he was bought for $1 million in the Indian Premier League auction on Saturday.
Take a bow, Josh Hazlewood!He restricts Sri Lanka to just five runs in the Super Over and Australia chase it down in three balls.take a 2-0 lead in the series.Watch the rest of the #AUSvSL series live on https://t.co/CPDKNxoJ9v (in select regions) pic.twitter.com/5InfLwbMej
A superb run-out by Steve Smith at deep midwicket ended Shanaka's effort, leaving Sri Lanka at 115-5 after 16 overs and the game delicately poised. Nissanka holed out in the deep with 12 off four balls required, and one ball later there was concern for Smith, who hit his head on the ground in an acrobatic, but unsuccessful, effort to save a six.
"It was great to get the win, but pretty sloppy overall," said Australia captain Aaron Finch.
After losing the toss, Finch survived two close lbw reviews before departing for 25, stumped off the bowling of Wanindu Hasaranga. The leg-spinner ended with figures of 2-33.
