Josh Hazlewood held his nerve in the Super Over to help Australia overcome Sri Lanka in a nail-biter in the second T20I at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Both teams had finished tied on 164 but Sri Lanka could muster only five in their Super Over and the hosts chased down the target with three balls to spare.
AUSTRALIA V SRI LANKA, 2022
Hazlewood headlines Australia's Super Over win
Hazlewood played a pivotal role in Australia's victory © Getty
Hazlewood put on a fine exhibition of slog overs bowling in the Super Over as he employed a mix of yorkers - wide yorkers and at the stumps - alongside the short ball to restrict Sri Lanka's batting opportunities. In an attempt to add crucial runs, Dasun Shanaka and Dinesh Chandimal tried to steal a bye on an overthrow, only for the latter to be dismissed run out. Pathum Nissanka, who replaced Chandimal at the crease, and Shanaka looked for the big hits but to no avail. Marcus Stoinis then drilled a couple of boundaries to steer Australia home.
Stoinis also was involved in the thick of things in the final over of Sri Lanka's innings as he was entrusted with the responsibility of bowling the last over. The visitors required 19 off the last over, with Nissanka and Dushmantha Chameera at the crease.
The all-rounder ended up giving 18 runs. Stoinis dislodged the impressive Nissanka with a full toss off the third ball of the over. However, Theekshana smacked the next ball over deep midwicket for a six to bring the equation down to 6 off 2. Steve Smith tried to prevent the six with an excellent effort but he crash-landed outside the boundary ropes.
Ultimately, it came down to five off one ball with Chameera clubbing Stoinis over his head and into the boundary hoardings to force a super over. Incidentally, for large parts of Sri Lanka's innings, Australia seemed to have the upper hand.
Hazlewood and Pat Cummins had started on the right note, with the former snaring the wickets of
