Australia breaks T20 record in Kandy

Pete Smith
Sep 07, 2016, updated Sep 07, 2016

Glenn Maxwell celebrates after scoring a century – he hit nine sixes in a superb 145 not out. Photo: LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty

A stunning return to form for Glenn Maxwell has lifted Australia to a record total and a one-sided 85-run victory to open the two-match Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka.

Promoted to opener, Maxwell turned on the fireworks from the outset in Pallekele hitting nine sixes in a superb 145 not out off 65 balls.

WORLD RECORD! Australia smash the highest T20I team total, posting 3-263 from 20 overs! #SLvAUS pic.twitter.com/nK1sgLZpir

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 6, 2016

Maxwell’s heavy scoring powered Australia to a world record score of 3-263, tipping out the previous mark of 6-260 set by Sri Lanka against Kenya in 2007.

In reply, the hosts slipped to 3-45 before recovering to post 9-178. Dinesh Chandimal compiled a stylish 58 off 43 deliveries, while Chamara Kapugedera was the only other contributor with 43 off 25.

Fast bowlers Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc both claimed 3-26 for Australia, leaving Sri Lanka with their heaviest T20 defeat.

But all the headlines belonged to Maxwell who perhaps was keen to make a statement after bizarrely being left out of the recent one-day series against Sri Lanka, and also the touring side to visit South Africa that was named on Monday.

“(This innings) meant a lot, having been out of the one-day team. So to do as well as I did in my first crack back at it was brilliant,” said Maxwell.

Sometimes when you are dropped,it works well..It certainly did for Maxwell..
145* a perfect return to the Aus side..Well played ! #SLvAUS

— Abhishek Barthur (@imabhi27) September 6, 2016

“I have been down a little bit about my ability at this level so to strike the ball like that was really pleasing.”

Maxwell at one stage seemed set to top the world record score of 156 – a mark which remarkably is held by his housemate, Aaron Finch, who is sidelined with a broken finger but was Australia’s 12th man on Tuesday.

Glenn Maxwell takes a drinks break during his breathtaking stand at the crease. Photo: Lakruwan Wanniarachchi/AFP/Getty

“Of course I was aware of (Finch’s record), because I have to live with him so I knew exactly what it was,” Maxwell said.

“And he kept reminding at every drinks break, but he kept telling me I was going to beat it.”

There were also contributions from captain David Warner (28 from 16 balls), Usman Khawaja (36 from 22) and Travis Head (45 from 18) who was dismissed off the last ball of the innings.

Maxwell, nicknamed The Big Show, reached his 50 off 27 deliveries, and his century off 49 balls.

Maxwell did earn a narrow reprieve on 76 when he was caught on the boundary, only for Chamara Kapugedera to touch the boundary with his foot – resulting in another six.