http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 - 2nd T20- Match Preview
The 2nd Twenty20 match between Sri Lanka and Australia takes place at the Pallekele International Stadium on Aug 8, 2011.
The shortest format certainly offers thrill and excitement like no other. It was pretty much a similar scenario for the visitors, who found themselves at the receiving end of a Dilshan special, which left them shell shocked.
It is arguably a difficult phase for a once dominating Kangaroo side, which is yet to find its feet after a patchy year or so, losing their invincibility.
Having said that, it was a 10 on 10 performance from the home side, which made the best use of the favorable conditions and roared to an emphatic victory.
While the Asian Tigers used spin effectively, their counterparts relied on their fast bowlers, who failed to deliver.
Previewing the 2nd Twenty20, the Kangaroos need to bounce back quickly or else it will certainly be a long and tough battle against a formidable team, possessing the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KC-Sangakkara-c1779. The 1st T20 had plenty of lessons
to be learnt, many of them by the Aussie skipper, Cameron White.
First things first, the combination of the Australian side was not right. On a spinner friendly wicket, White continually sided with the pacers who went for plenty of runs. No seamer went for less that 9.5 per over, allowing their opponents to score easily,
having enough room and thrashing half-volleys.
The most economical of the bowlers remained the spinning duo of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SPD-Smith-c2555, going less than 7 runs per over. The most surprising fact was that neither was allowed by White to bowl his complete spell.
They need to re-think their strategy and change their stance on the slow bowling options.
As for the visitors' batting, it simply didn’t click. The middle-order, including likes of White, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Simon-James-Marshall-c90362, looked rusty and out of sorts.
Was it not for the blazing innings from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DA-Warner-c1301, the Aussies would have lost by an even more embarrassing margin. His knock of 53 off 31 was only the bright spot in an otherwise, faulty batting performance.
As for the opponents, it was a joyful return to form for the Sri Lankan skipper, who had a tough series against England on their home soil.
The 'Dil-scoop' was back and the player provided full entertainment value. His blistering 57 ball 104 reminded everyone of the danger he can pose when in full flight. Also the player looked much calmer and assured, while managing his men aptly.
While Dilshan’s counterpart had put faith in his seamers, he for one knew exactly what the pitch would do, and rightly so, opted to trust his spinners.
The pick of the lot was http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HMRKB-Herath-c1559, who bowled economically, giving away just 11 in 3 overs.
It has been a testing start for White and his men; however, if lessons are learnt quickly, the visitors are capable of mounting a strong comeback.
For now, the odds are stacked against the Australians, as the Lankan http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lions-c808 will again look to inflict further misery by spinning their opponents to a 2-0 victory.
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