Defending champions Australia registered their first win of the campaign by Defeating Asia Cup 2022 Champions by 7 wickets at Perth.
Marcus Stoinis played a fiery knock of 59* in just 18 balls.
Losing skipper Dasun Shanaka said:
We started really well and finished well, but we didn’t get going in the middle overs. I think we could have missed 15-20 runs. Fast bowlers didn’t prepare well, they are coming after injuries. That’s the reason behind getting them injured. It was tough with the new ball due to the spongy bounce. Even Finch struggled against the new ball. They played really well in the latter part.
Winning skipper Aaron Finch said:
Very happy. My innings was unusual, poor. I couldn’t hit the ball. The way we approached with the bat was fine. It was seaming a long way there, if we could get through that, it was important to set-up the back end of the innings. Would have been nice if I had kicked on earlier. All in all, pretty clinical. They bowled the hard length, it was tough. Such a big ground, hard to stand and deliver. Nice to get the two points. (Stoinis’) It was a pretty special innings. To come out with that intent is the main thing. When you walk out to bat and have that presence at the crease, that’s half the battle in T20 cricket. When you got the skill that he has got, it’s a good combo. (Next game vs England) Always a great event, any format, anywhere, looking forward to it.
Player of the Match, Marcus Stoinis said:
Ronnie (Andrew McDonald) actually said to have a look at the quicks as it was doing a bit and I feel comfortable, then to have a go at the spinners. Once I got in, the plan was to keep going. To be honest, I was really nervous today being at home in Perth, lot of family and friends here. So, I was really nervous going into it, but really happy that we ended on putting up a clinical show there. Mentally I was nice and fresh, I had a bit of time off looking after the side strain, it’s been sort of plaguing me on and off for a while now, but so far so good. We played here the other day against England and it was a beautiful wicket. This did look like it was doing a bit more especially with the new ball, but it’s a beautiful ground and probably the best ground in Australia if not the world with the technology and lighting going on here and my home crowd, it’s a beautiful wicket. We wrapped this game up and look forward to playing England at the MCG (on Friday). They are obviously a very good team, so we will do our homework again, rest up, get on the flight tomorrow and go on from there.
