Australia smash record T20 score of 263 against Sri Lanka
Glenn Maxwell hits nine sixes in blasting unbeaten 145 off 65 balls
Tuesday 6 September 2016 17:56, UK
Australia posted a record T20I score of 263-3 in a 85-run win over Sri Lanka as Glenn Maxwell blasted 145 not out off 65 balls in Pallekele.
Maxwell smashed 14 fours and nine sixes in his knock, though it was Travis Head (45 off 18) who hit the 14 runs needed to break the record off the final over - hitting Thisara Perera (1-58) for back-to-back boundaries and a six.
Australia posted the record score despite being asked to bat first by the hosts, and despite holding a relatively modest total of 178-2 at the 15-over mark.
Maxwell cruised to his maiden T20I ton - off 49 deliveries - two balls later, and proceeded to 85 from the final five overs with Head.
Earlier, the big-hitting allrounder had shared in 57 and 93-run stands with David Warner (28 off 16) and Usman Khawaja (36 off 22) respectively.
Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal cracked 58 off 43 balls and Chamara Kapugedera a 25-ball 43 in reply, but Sri Lanka were never likely to threaten Australia's record score, especially after slipping to 15-2 inside their first two overs.
Mitchell Starc (3-26) and Scott Boland (3-25) were the standout bowlers for the visitors with three wickets apiece.
