Australia has been beaten in their opening game of the IMC over 40s T20 World Cup after a late six hitting blitz from the Sri Lankan lower order saw them turn the game on its head and claim the points from the opening group game.
Australia lost the toss and were sent into bat by Sri Lanka who preferred to chase in a move that proved a master stroke after Australia posted a competitive total of 7/147 from their 20 overs. Aussie opener Steve Nottle with 37 from 21 balls got Australia off to a flyer as he took advantage of anything full and short from the Sri Lankan paceman. Luke Jackson also played a handy finishing role through the later part of the innings finishing with 34 not out from 25 balls.
In reply Sri Lanka never really got going during the first 15 overs and heading into the final stretch of the innings were 7/87 with Mark Cleary’s 2/12 off 3 overs the pick of the Aussie figures. Sri Lanka, were seemingly out of the game until Udaya Kumara (27 from 20 balls) and Manjula Guruge (35 from 17) got together and performed a near T20 miracle hitting 5 sixes and 2 fours between them in a 4 over blitz that turned the game around and into a Sri Lankan victory with 6 balls to spare.
The Australian team today take on the Rest of the World XI at 7.30pm AEDT in the second of five group stage matches. Find out more here.