Sri Lanka win their 1st T-20 match against Australia last night. Tillakaratne Dilshan achieved two objectives when he scored an unbeaten 104 off 57 balls in the first T-20 International against Australia at the Pallekele Stadium. He not only scored his first maiden T20 century but also get man-of-the match award also.
Eventually Sri Lanka beat Australia by 35 runs in emphatic fashion to take a 1-0 lead in the short two-match series. Dilshan was not alone in helping Sri Lanka to an imposing total of 198-3 as he forged partnerships of 52 off 42 balls with Kumar Sangakkara (30) and an unbroken 104 off 45 balls with Jeevan Mendis (29 not out), who seems to be improving with every game.
Australia were strangled by Lankan spinners as they were restricted to 163-8 with only David Warner making any impression with 52 off 31 balls (2 sixes, 6 fours). Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera made a dream debut taking a wicket off his first over (trapping Shaun Marsh lbw) and then going onto to bowl David Hussey and skipper Cameron White to end with figures of 3 for 26. Left-armer Rangana Herath also bowled tightly as the asking rose to astronomical proportions picking up the wicket of Steve Smith for figures of one for 11.
Eventually Sri Lanka beat Australia by 35 runs in emphatic fashion to take a 1-0 lead in the short two-match series. Dilshan was not alone in helping Sri Lanka to an imposing total of 198-3 as he forged partnerships of 52 off 42 balls with Kumar Sangakkara (30) and an unbroken 104 off 45 balls with Jeevan Mendis (29 not out), who seems to be improving with every game.
Australia were strangled by Lankan spinners as they were restricted to 163-8 with only David Warner making any impression with 52 off 31 balls (2 sixes, 6 fours). Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera made a dream debut taking a wicket off his first over (trapping Shaun Marsh lbw) and then going onto to bowl David Hussey and skipper Cameron White to end with figures of 3 for 26. Left-armer Rangana Herath also bowled tightly as the asking rose to astronomical proportions picking up the wicket of Steve Smith for figures of one for 11.
Final Result: Sri Lanka: 198/3
Australia: 163/8
Australia: 163/8
Man of the match: Tillakaratne Dilshan (104*)
The second T20 International is scheduled to be played at the same venue on Monday.