November 23, 2024

Stoinis’ 18 balls of mayhem for Australia

Stoinis #Stoinis

HOW MARCUS STOINIS’ RECORD-BREAKING 18-BALL BLITZ PLAYED OUT

Over 12.3: Comes to the crease with Australia needing 69 from 45 balls. Cuts a short and wide ball from paceman Chamika Karunaratne to deep point for a single to get off the mark.

12.5: Works a well run two off his pads to the legside.

12.6: Plays a neat upper-cut off Chamika to send the ball to the third-man rope for his first boundary. Australia need 61 off 42.

13.3: Miscues a push forward off medium-pacer Dasun Shanaka to the legside. No run. There are 60 required off 39.

13.4: Gets a little lucky when he is cramped for room and gloves a pull shot at rib height. Runs to the fine-leg boundary.

13.5: Plays an educated edge to the third-man boundary. Looks somewhat in control, but is in no way bossing it despite being on 15 off six balls.

13.6: Keeps the strike when he drives to mid-off for one. Australia now need 51 from 36 balls.

14.1: Cuts spinner Wanindu Hasaranga to the offside sweeper for one.

14.3: Plays his first imposing shot of the innings when he pulls Hasaranga deep over midwicket for six. The ball travels 98 metres.

14.4: Adds to Hasaranga’s pain when he gets on the back foot and hits him back over his head for four more.

14.5: Puts Australia well in control when he slog-sweeps Hasaranga for six. Stoinis pumps his fist as the ball goes 101 metres and suddenly Australia only need 33 from 31.

14.6: Cuts for one to keep the strike. Stoinis is now 34 off 12 balls.

15.1: Plays a reverse-paddle-sweep to mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana. Dot ball as it goes straight to third man.

15.2: Plants the front foot and whacks Theekshana over the man at long on for six. Stoinis pumps the air again with Australia now needing less than a run a ball with 25 required from 28.

15.3: Another big six. This time Stoinis gives himself room and hits Theekshana over cover. The record for the quickest half-century by an Australian is now in sight.

15.4: Goes hard at the bowler’s next effort, but it runs along the ground to long on for a single.

15.6: Brings up the fastest half-century by an Australian in international cricket in style when he whacks a full toss back over Theekshana’s head for six. Stoinis is 53 off just 17 balls.

16.2: Puts the cap on a brilliant innings when he pulls a short off-pace ball from Lahiru Kumara for another six. Lahiru bowls a wide the next ball, Australia run, and captain Aaron Finch finishes off the chase of 158 later in the over.

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