Marcus Stoinis breaks record; scores 59* off 17 to help Australia register first win in T20 World Cup 2022
He came, he saw and delivered. Marcus Stoinis knocks a record-breaking score against Sri Lanka to open Australia’s account in Perth.
Suffering a flogging at the hands of New Zealand in the World T20 opening, Australia has made amends in their second match to secure the two points. Taking on the tricky Lankans, who aren’t shy to inflict upsets, was never going to be easy until Marcus Stoinis took the reins.
The backstory of the Carnage by Stoinis
After winning the toss, Australian captain Aaron Finch called it right away and chose to field first. The wicket was scorching, with the pacers making life difficult for the batters. Nissanka attempted to stay to the finish but was dragged out by his partner. With final scores of 38 and 14, Asalanka and Chamika helped Sri Lanka achieve a total of 157.
The pitch was seamer-friendly, and chasing 158 would never be simple. Another day, another injury for Sri Lanka, who just can’t seem to catch a break, as pacer Binura Fernando felt some discomfort in his fifth ball of the game. Injuries have hampered their season.
The introduction of Theekshana resulted in the dismissal of David Warner in his first over, as the Aussies got off to a rough start.
Mitch Marsh never got rolling even though skipper, Dasun, dropped a catch when he was in two. After a few overs, the fielders finally held onto a catch as Marsh left for a run-a-ball 17.
What appeared to be Sri Lanka’s day with their spin-bowling alternatives was ruined by their main bowler.
Stoinis Exploded against Haranga to take Austrlia home
The big show took Hasaranga to the cleaners twice in his first two overs, putting Australia on the verge of victory. The resumption of pace in the form of Kumara and Chamika slowed the flow of runs when Maxwell departed after mistiming a heave over midwicket.
A disdainful deed followed. With 61 required off the final seven overs, the pendulum appeared to have swung back in Australia’s favor, as it had the entire time. Hasaranga was brought back when they required 50 runs in the final six overs.
Dasun entrusted his most experienced bowler to make amends, but it just got worse as Stoinis’ gigantic power was displayed with heaves and menacing firepower.
The big unit put on an incredible display of obliteration and ferocious acceleration as he hammered 19 off the Hasaranga over to rattle the Lankans. Dasun returned to his finest bowler, Mahesh Theekshana, but it proved to be too little, too late, as he conceded 20 runs.
Stoinis hit his fifty in just 17 balls and didn’t hold back in celebrating. As a result of Stoinis’ carnage, Australia won the game in 16.3 overs, 59 runs off 18 balls to become the Australian with the fastest international T20 fifty. There were four fours and six sixes in his innings.
