The visitors sealed a convincing victory after chasing the target of 129 in 14 overs after a tremendous spell from Josh Hazlewood restricted the hosts to 128 all out in 19.3 overs.
Australian opening duo, David Warner and Aaron Finch smashed half-centuries for an impressive 10-wicket victory against the hosts Sri Lanka in the first T20I International in Colombo on Tuesday.
The visitors sealed a convincing victory after chasing the target of 129 in 14 overs after a tremendous spell from Josh Hazlewood restricted the hosts to 128 all out in 19.3 overs.
Australia, the reigning champions are playing their warm-up games for the upcoming T20 World Cup on their soil later this year.
Earlier, the Australian skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and opted to bat first in the rain-hit Colombo.
Warner hit nine boundaries in his unbeaten 44 balls 70 while Finch ended with a knock of 61 off 40 balls including four boundaries and as many maximums.
The pair hit a 59 runs stand in the power play and attacked the key Sri Lankan bowlers Wanindu Hasaranga and Mahesh Theekshana, who bowled six overs for 52/0.
Duhsmantha Chameera conceded 48 runs in his four overs spell with no wicket in hand.
Earlier, Josh Hazlewood picked up three wickets in the 14th over to turn the game upside down for Sri Lanka. He collapsed the Sri Lankan middle-order with a marvelous 4-16 in his four overs spell and picked up the wickets of Danushka Gunathilaka (26), Kusal Mendis (1), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (0), and captain Dasun Shanaka (0).
Mitchell Starc joined the party with Hazlewood to remove Pathum Nissanka for 36 before cleaning up the hosts’ lower order to finish with 3-26 in his four overs spell.
Sri Lankan top three batters gave a steady start to their side and took the side across 100 for two in the 12 overs. None of Nissanka, Gunathilaka, and Charith Asalanka were able to contribute in the death overs.
The host lost Asalanka and Chamika Karunaratne to run-outs and was bowled out for three balls in 20 overs.
Australia is set to play five T20Is and two Test matches during their tour of Sri Lanka, ending on July 12.
Aaron Finch, the Australian skipper:
“I think with the ball when Josh Hazlewood is bowling such consistent lengths we know as batters how hard it is to face that. We wanted guys to take a risk playing the hardest shots against that length through the middle overs. We managed to get that. We managed to control the middle overs by getting wickets. It was nice to get a few runs and have a really good partnership with Davey.”
Dasun Shanaka, Sri Lankan skipper:
“I hope the batters will be better in the next game. We had a serious talk on this in the days leading in. We’ve got a strong side. It’s a matter of getting one win.”
Josh Hazlewood, player of the match (AUS):
“The wicket was a little bit slow but I guess you can use that to your advantage. I thought we bowled well as a unit. The back of a length was crucial. I’ve been working hard on my T20 cricket, playing a lot, feeling confident and we saw that tonight.”
Australia 134 for 0 (Warner 70*, Finch 61*) beat Sri Lanka 128 (Hazlewood 4-16, Starc 3-26) by 10 wickets.
