Records tumble as Australia eviscerate Sri Lanka in T20 opener

David Warner scores a century as the Baggy Green reach their highest 20-over score to go 1-0 up in the series

Australia began preparations for next year's T20 World Cup on home soil by producing a record-laden display to beat Sri Lanka in Adelaide.

In the first of 21 matches ahead of next year's showcase, the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the three-game series with a 134-run victory - the biggest in terms of runs in their 20-over history.

Aaron Finch's side put on 233 for 2 - their highest T20 total on home soil and fourth biggest in history. It was the 18th highest in the international game.

The margin of defeat was Sri Lanka's biggest in T20s and the third greatest between two Test-playing nations after they finished on 99 for 9.

Meanwhile, visiting seamer Kasun Rajitha finished with figures of 4-0-75-0 - the worst in international T20 history.

His display eclipsed Tunahan Turan, who went for 70 from his four overs for Turkey against Czech Republic in August 2019.

David Warner became just the fourth different player to reach three figures for Australia in a T20, following in the footsteps of Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell and Shane Watson.

"It was a great start, the way Davey played and how Maxi went from ball one," said captain Finch. "Our spinners did an amazing job against good players of spin.

"It was about doing our things really well, we know when our top-order fires we have a lot of power. You always want to start well, a pretty clinical performance."

Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga, who missed the tour of Pakistan due to safety concerns, put Australia in after winning the toss and was quickly made to pay for the decision.

"Our bowlers didn't find the right line and length," the skipper added. "We know how good Australia are. It's a good learning experience for us and the young bowlers. 

"We know it's tough conditions and a good team but before the World Cup it's an opportunity for us. We want to complete. They have tall fast bowlers, we have to look how we handle it in the next matches."