- Australia 263-3; Sri Lanka 178-9. Australia win by 85 runs
- Glenn Maxwell clubs 145 not out, the second-highest T20 score
Australia broke the world scoring record in Twenty20 internationals after an unbeaten century by opener Glenn Maxwell helped the tourists beat Sri Lanka by 85 runs at Pallekele. They now lead the three-match series 1-0.
The tourists reached 263-3 from their 20 overs, beating the previous record set by Sri Lanka at 260-6 against Kenya in 2007.
Asked to bat first, Maxwell smashed nine sixes and 14 boundaries for his 145 not out in 65 balls. Along with being his maiden century, it was the all-time second best individual score in T20 internationals behind teammate Aaron Finch’s 156.
Travis Head hit three sixes and four boundaries for an 18-ball 45, while five out of six bowlers used by Sri Lanka conceded more than 11 runs an over.
Needing more than 13 runs an over to win, Sri Lanka made a poor start, losing Tillakaratne Dilshan in the first over bowled by Mitchell Starc.
The asking rate soared as Australia’s tight bowling paid off with regular wickets, limiting Sri Lanka to 178-9. Captain Dinesh Chandimal scored 58 for the hosts.
Highest totals in T20 cricket
263-3: Australia v Sri Lanka, Pallekele, 2016
260-6: Sri Lanka v Kenya, Johannesburg, 2007
248-6: Australia v England, Southampton, 2013
245-6: West Indies v India, Lauderhill, 2016
244-4: India v West Indies, Lauderhill, 2016
241-6: South Africa v England, Centurion, 2009
236-6: West Indies v South Africa, Johannesburg, 2015
231-7: South Africa v West Indies, Johannesburg, 2015
230-8: England v South Africa, Mumbai, 2016
229-4: South Africa v England, Mumbai, 2016
