ASELA in Sinhala is pronounced “A-Say-La” … and living up to the implications of his name in English, he flayed and slayed the Aussies and Moises Henriques (that is “Hawnreeks” or something like that in Portuguese speech) for three sicxes in one over — doing a Dunkn really (that is, emulating Ben Dunk who dunked three sixes off a Munaweera over earlier in the day).
Henriques to Gunaratne, SIX, pretty full and outside off, Asela lines this up, clears his front leg, and lofts it over cover for a six. Clean swing, back-to-back fifties for Asela
Henriques to Gunaratne, SIX, back of a length and outside off, wrong length again. Asela clears his front leg again, slamming it high over midwicket
Henriques to Gunaratne, SIX, three sixes in a row for Asela. Length ball on off stump, Asela short-arm swats it over square leg now. The exploded from the middle of the bat. He is keeping SL alive in the chase
Henriques to Gunaratne, no run, slower offcutter outside off, Asela swipes early and misses. Beaten by the change of pace
Henriques to Gunaratne, FOUR, back of a length and outside off, Asela makes sweet connection again. Lofts it flat over cover now. 22 runs off the over
SL FAN: “One man Army, Guneratne!!”
SOME OTHER CRICINFO COMMENTS
Tharanga: Asela’s was an amazing innings. Even in South Africa he has done well. We lost too many wickets early but Asela finished the game for us. Winning in Australia is a huge achievement. This is Asela’s first tour to Australia and we are happy.
Uwaisul Karnain: “Very well Played Asela, now sit back and watch the IPL Auction tomorrow!”
HSR: “Right before IPL auction, AG Presenting his strong case.”
Karthik: “Two nail bitters in one day #NZvsSA #AUSvsSL. Can’t take anymore. “
Must Hamid: “Highest Scorer with the Bat and Most Expensive with the Bowl for His Team… What a day it was for Henriques !!”
Silva: “one should not forget Kapu’s contribution at a-run-a-ball which helped stabilise the innings!”
SamSL: “Asela’s inning can be one of the best T20I innings from a Sri Lankan ever….”
That is all we have for you from this thriller. Hope you enjoyed this game as much as we did bringing it to you. Thanks for tuning in. Do comeback for the final T20 in Adelaide. Until next time, ciao.
Asela Gunaratne of Sri Lanka celebrates scoring the winning run during the second Twenty20 cricket match between Australia and Sri Lanka at Kardinia Park in Geelong on February 19, 2017. MAL FAIRCLOUGH/AFP/Getty Images)
Henriques to Gunaratne, no run, very full on off, Asela wants to smite this over midwicket. He only manages an inside edge onto the pad. The shot was on, the execution was bad with Asela losing his shape