All-rounder Marcus Stoinis on Tuesday became the fastest Australian to score a half-century in the T20Is. Stoinis achieved this feat during the Super 12 clash of the ongoing T20 World Cup against Sri Lanka, at Perth Stadium, where he took only 17 balls to reach the 50-run mark. Chasing 158, Australia started off on a steady note but Stoinis’ arrival completely changed the game and took the team across the line in just 16.3 overs and seven wickets in hand. Stoinis broke the record of David Warner and Glenn Maxwell, who had earlier scored half-centuries in 18 balls, to score the fastest fifty by an Australian in T20Is.
Apart from this, Stoinis also became the third fastest player to score a half-century in a T20 World Cup. The list is led by former India batter Yuvraj Singh, who had smashed a fifty off 12 balls against England during the 2007 T20 World Cup, followed by Netherlands’ Stephan Myburgh in 17 balls against Ireland in 2014.
Coming to the match, Sri Lanka fought hard before they were blown away by the brute force of Stoinis who remained on 59 off 18 balls as Australia romped home in 16.3 overs. The all-rounder raced to a record half-century in 17 balls. His memorable knock included half a dozen sixes and four boundaries.
Despite losing fast bowler Binura Fernando to injury in the first over, Sri Lanka kept themselves in the game for a major part of Australia’s chase.
The dangerous David Warner perished cheaply and skipper Aaron Finch was unable to break the shackles, increasing the pressure on the hosts. Finch struggled to 24 off his first 35 balls and ended up with 31 off 42 balls.
Mitchell Marsh scored a run-a-ball 17 before Glenn Maxwell came up with a couple of sixes and fours in his 12-ball 23 to release some pressure. During his short stay, Maxwell suffered a nasty blow on the right side of helmet grill while trying to pull a rising delivery from Lahiru Kumara.
The all-rounder fell attempting another big hit but substitute Ashen Bandara took a brilliant catch very close to the deep midwicket boundary to leave Sri Lanka at 89 for three in the 13th over.
While Finch struggled at the other end, Stoinis came in and produced a barrage of sixes and fours to effectively shut the door on Sri Lanka.
Promoted
Stoinis, and the rest of the batters, targeted star Sri Lanka spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who had a day to forget, leaking 53 runs in three overs.
With PTI Inputs
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