Warner back in the runs as Sri Lanka crushed
David Warner has set himself up for a big summer of cricket, the opener’s welcome return to form earning him player-of-the-series honours in Australia’s crushing 3-0 Twenty20 clean sweep against Sri Lanka.
Warner made another halfcentury and was named player of the series as Australia completed the series whitewash with a comfortable seven-wicket win in game three at the MCG on Friday night.
Australia made 145-3 after sending the visitors in and restricting them to 142-6 from their 20 overs, sealing the win with 14 balls to spare in front of 28,568 fans.
Warner, who was not dismissed in three innings this series, was unbeaten on 57 off 50 balls, with four fours and a six.
On the back of his 100 in Adelaide and a 60 in Brisbane, Warner was the highest runscorer in the series with 217.
With a packed schedule featuring Pakistan and New Zealand at home and tours to India and South Africa, Warner is right back amongst the runs after his miserable Ashes series.
‘‘You always like to start the summer well,’’ Warner said.
‘‘For me it’s about keeping it simple and making sure I’m staying mentally fresh . . . that’s the most important thing.
‘‘I’ve just maintained the rage, I just go out there and back myself and play to the best of my ability. I’m a confident person, I don’t go out there thinking I’m going to get out . . . I just play the same way.
‘‘It helps when you’ve got momentum and it helps when you’ve got guys at the other end batting the same way and you can get pressure taken off you.’’
Australia will navigate their busy schedule with one eye on next year’s home T20 World Cup.
‘‘The team is going very well
. . . we’ve gelled well for a long time,’’ Warner said. ‘‘It’s the same group of men who have been around for probably three years.
‘‘It’s great to see selectors having that confidence to keep picking the same people.’’
Australia won the first match in Adelaide by 134 runs and the second in Brisbane by nine wickets.
Sri Lanka enjoyed a bright patch with three wickets through the middle overs, but never looked like causing an upset. Skipper Aaron Finch, who was dropped on 15, departed in the ninth over for 37 from 25 deliveries.
Steve Smith was caught at mid-wicket by Lakshan
Sandakan for 13.
Ben McDermott, who came in when Glenn Maxwell stepped away to concentrate on his mental health, failed to take his opportunity at No 4, trapped in front by Lasith Malinga for five. Ashton Turner was the other batsman at the crease at the end, making 22 from 15 deliveries.
Sri Lankan No 3 Kusal Perera hit his team’s highest score of the series with 57 from 45 deliveries before he holed out trying to push the run rate
Pat Cummins was the best of the Australian bowlers with 2-23 from four overs, with Kane Richardson (2-25) and Mitchell Starc (2-32) also taking two wickets each.
Australia will host Pakistan in a three-match T20 series starting today in Sydney.
It will be followed by a two-test series between the teams in Brisbane and Adelaide.
AAP