Australia vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I Match Summary

Right then! That is all we have from this match and what a contest it has been! For all the effort Sri Lanka put in, they still go down to Canberra 2-0 down in the series and need a win to stay alive. Australia will now look to make it 3-0 and take an unassailable lead. The third match of this T20I series will take place on Tuesday, the 15th of February. That one will begin at 1.40 pm IST (8.10 am GMT). But the build-up will begin much in advance. Do join us then. Cheers!

Josh Hazlewood is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH! He says that it's exciting to bowl the Super Over. Mentions that once the team gets to know who comes out to bat, it is all about having a plan and executing it. Tells that by playing consecutive games over and over and playing in tournaments like IPL, one learns a lot. Ends by saying that he is feeling nice and confident.

The Aussie skipper, Aaron Finch says that it is great to get a win but they were sloppy overall. Mentions that he was confident with Josh Hazlewood bowling the Super Over. Tells that it is great to get the win. Adds that they had some good and bad overs with the ball but their fielding was poor overall. Tells that the pitch got better towards the end as the dew came in. Says that he is happy with the totals they have got. Informs that they will tinker with their 11 and one of the bowlers will rest.

Dasun Shanaka, the Lankan skipper says that it was a thriller. Mentions that they gave 10 runs extra perhaps. Tells that the boys showed character and is glad about the performance. Credits Nissanka for his good batting and says that he is proud of him.

Time for the Presentation...

Australia will feel they have got out of jail and it is due to one man and one man only, Josh Hazlewood! He gave the perfect start with the ball and Pat Cummins too supported him well. Adam Zampa was economical as usual but Kane Richardson went for a bit of tap and in the final few overs, the bowlers just lost their lines and lengths a bit. Glenn Maxwell uncharacteristically dropped a couple of catches and Marcus Stoinis had a difficult time defending 18 runs in the final over and could only stop the opposition from getting over the line. Hazlewood had three wickets in the match and went for just 5 runs in the Super Over! Maxwell and Stoinis came out and got the job done in three deliveries to give the hosts a 2-0 lead. This means that Australia are just one win away from sealing the series.

Sri Lanka conceded more runs than the last match but it was still a decent target to chase. Their batting though has been fragile and yet again the top-order, barring Pathum Nissanka just crumbled. Numbers 2, 3 and 4 scored a total of 5 runs between them and that just shows how much work was done in the latter part of the innings to get Sri Lanka in a position where they could believe that they can pull this off. It was Chandimal who supported Nissanka and got the scoreboard ticking. Then the skipper came in and Shanaka was ultra-aggressive putting the opposition bowlers under pressure. Nissanka scored a valiant 73 and the tailenders' contribution took them to a Super Over. In the Super Over though, not a single boundary was scored and Sri Lankan hopes were quickly demolished.

A brilliant, brilliant game of cricket but in the end, it's Australia who have snatched the win and lead the 5-match series 2-0! This game had everything and even though the Lankans gave it their all, Aussies were just a bit better and Josh Hazlewood, take a bow! His bowling performance tonight has proved to be the difference in the match and what a Super Over he bowled! As they say, even one ball or even a run can matter in T20 cricket. Had Glenn Maxwell not dropped a couple of absolute sitters, we would have been sipping coffee right now and relaxing. Had Smith not touched the rope before attempting the catch, Australia would have won outright. And had the umpire called the penultimate ball of the full game a wide, Sri Lanka would have won. A game of fine margins, aye?

FOUR! Australia have sealed the victory! Tossed up, on middle, in the slot. Marcus Stoinis hits that one through mid on for another boundary. A winning boundary as Australia win the match via Super Over!

FOUR! Excellent shot! Full and outside off, Marcus Stoinis hangs back and drives it through extra cover and mid off. The ball races away to the boundary. Australia know they have got this now. Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell with a fist pump!

A full toss, outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga gets away with that one as Glenn Maxwell mistimes his shot to long on for a single.