1st T20I Report: David Warner Smashes Maiden Hundred as Australia Thrash Sri Lanka by 134 Runs to Take 1-0 Lead

After facing severe criticism for his form during the much-talked-about Ashes series, David Warner has roared back to form with a special hundred during the first T20I between Australia and Sri Lanka at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

Playing his first T20I in almost two years, Warner smashed his maiden ton in the format as Australia laid down a ruthless marker for the start of their year-long preparations for next year’s T20 World Cup at home by sweeping Sri Lanka away by 134 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Australia took the Sri Lankan bowlers to the cleaners to post 233/2 in 20 overs. Chasing a daunting 234 for victory, Sri Lankan were blown away by the Australia quick and finished on 99/9 in 20 overs.

This was Australia’s highest-ever total on home soil and their fourth highest overall in T20Is. Warner played an unbeaten knock of 100 off just 56 balls – he reached his century off the last ball of the innings. During his maiden T20I hundred, Warner hit eight fours and three sixes.

After being asked to bat, Skipper Aaron Finch (64) and Glenn Maxwell (62) knitted crucial stands with the explosive left-handed opener. Warner and Finch shared an opening wicket partnership of 122 runs, followed by another century-stand between the Aussie opener and Maxwell (107).

David Warner has joined Glenn Maxwell and Shane Watson as the only Australians to score international centuries in all three formats@alintaenergy | #AUSvSL pic.twitter.com/wpveYUegBl

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 27, 2019

For Sri Lanka, Lakshan Sandakan and Dasun Shanaka took one wicket each. Malinga’s return as Sri Lanka captain was a sour one, as the veteran quick went wicketless for 37 runs from his four overs.

Adam Zampa returned best figures of 3/14 while pace spearhead Mitchell Starc (2/18) and Pat Cummins 2/27) grabbed two wickets each. That Sri Lanka’s batsmen looked clueless against Australia could be gauged by the fact that Shanaka scored the most runs (17) for his side.

The second T20I will be played in Brisbane on Wednesday, with the third and final match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

Brief scores: Australia 233/2 in 20 overs (David Warner 100*, Aaron Finch 64, Glenn Maxwell 62; Sri Lanka 99/9 in 20 overs (Dasun Shanaka 17; Adam Zampa 3/14)