Despite struggling with the bat in its return to T20 cricket after becoming world champions, Australia has comfortably beaten Sri Lanka in the first match at the SCG by 20 runs.
Having been sent in to bat first, Australia collapsed from 2-80 after 10.2 overs to 9-149 after 20.
In reply, Sri Lanka made 8-122 from 19 overs, chasing a revised total of 142 from 19 overs.
Adam Zampa changed the game with his 3-18 from four overs while Josh Hazlewood enjoyed a stunning return to cricket.
Having not played a competitive match since the first Ashes Test, Hazlewood took incredible career-best figures of 4-12.
“They didn’t bat that well but they came out with the ball and showed their class and flexed their muscles,” Shane Warne said on Fox Cricket after the game.
“Really they blew Sri Lanka away with the ball today, they were only in second gear.”
Earlier, Shane Warne and Mark Waugh gave a brutal assessment of the Australians, saying they offered too many premeditated shots.
“I think that’s an under-par score,” Warne said. “I think about 170 is probably par.
“Australia have got to question themselves on the way they got out too. All this premeditation. I reckon they just got too funky and they’re probably a bit rusty, so even more reason to keep it a bit simple.”
Aaron Finch was clean bowled by a Wanindu Hasaranga wrong-un for eight having earlier survived a tight lbw call.
Shane Warne noted in commentary that Finch now averages just seven against leg-spin bowlers who bowl wrong’uns.
Mark Waugh said: “I don’t think he picks wrist spin.
“I think he’s very good against orthodox spin, that’s his sweet spot. But wrist spin — it doesn’t surprise me those stats.”
Josh Inglis made an exciting 23 off 18 on international debut but was bowled by Chamika Karunaratne trying to play an ambitious reverse sweep to the fast bowler.
“He’s got so many shots, he doesn’t need to do it,” Mark Waugh said in commentary.
