SL vs AUS 1st T20I: Josh Hazlewood Triggers Sri Lankan Batting Collapse With 3 Wickets In An Over

Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood carried his brilliant form from the IPL in the first T20I against Sri Lanka as well. Due to Hazlewood's brilliant bowling, the Sri Lankan team was halted at a score of 128 in 19.3 overs. However, at one time the Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lankan team was moving towards a good total but Josh Hazlewood turned the match around in a single over. 

In his quota of 4 overs, the 31-year old Hazlewood gave away just 8 runs while picking up 4 wickets. The match was turned around in the 14th over when Hazlewood three wickets while giving away just 1 run. In the 14th over, Hazlewood first dismissed Kusal Mendis on the 1st delivery, Bhanuka Rajapaksa (0) on the fourth delivery and captain Dasun Shanaka (0) on the last delivery, putting the hosts out of the game. 

The Sri Lankan team tried to recover from this shakedown but Charith Asalanka's run out in the 16th over diminished all hopes for the hosts to reach a fightable total. Apart from Hazlewood, pacer Mitchell Starc was exceptional in his bowling as he gave away 26 runs in 4 overs, picking up 3 wickets. The Australian pace duo picked a total of 7 wickets and restricted Sri Lanka to a meagre total. 

Also Read: Scorecard

Team Australia requires129 runs to win the match in 120 deliveries and the openers gave an explosive start, adding 81 runs in the first 9 overs, with a score of 59 in the powerplay. Earlier, Australian captain Aaron Finch won the toss & opted to bowl first against Sri Lanka in the first T20I. This match is being played at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.