RECORD: Maxwell storm helps Australia to reach highest ever T20 total

Pallekele: Powered by an unbeaten 145 by Glenn Maxwell, Australia piled up a record 263-3 against Sri Lanka in the first T20 international at Pallekele. Ironically, Sri Lanka held the previous record for the highest ever T20 total with its 260-6 against Kenya in 2007 World T20. However, this time their bowlers were at the receiving end as Maxwell hit them to all parts of the ground. Put into bat on a placid track, Australian openers David Warner and Glenn Maxwell did not allow the Sri Lankan bowlers to settle. Making a comeback into the Australian side, Glenn Maxwell set the Pallekele International stadium on fire with the 2^nd highest T20 International score. Sent to open the batting in place of injured Aaron Finch, Maxwell smashed 145 off just 65 balls, hitting 14 boundaries and 9 sixes. He brought up his fifty off 27 balls and never looked in any sort of trouble. Pulling out his switch hits and reverse sweeps, Maxwell took the Sri Lankan spinners to the cleaners.  The swashbuckling right-hander, known as "The Big Show' went on to score his maiden T20 hundred with a strike rate of 223.7 He was ably supported by Travis Head, who scored a brisk 19 ball 45. Interestingly, just a few days ago England had notched up the highest ever ODI score of 444 against Pakistan.