Australia are all set to visit Sri Lanka in the 3-match T20 series starting on June 7. Sri Lanka visited Australia earlier this year for a five-match T20I series, which they lost.
This is Australia’s first visit to Sri Lanka since 2016, and a lot has changed since then. Sri Lanka is now experiencing economic difficulties. According to sources in Australia, players were hesitant to go Sri Lanka on moral grounds, if not for security reasons, due to the island’s circumstances. However, Cricket Australia (CA) cleared the air and informed everyone that Australian teams are looking forward to the tour.
AUS vs SL Probable Playing XIs
Australia Probable Playing XI:
Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Matthew Wade (wk), Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Jhye Richardson
Sri Lanka Probable Playing XI:
Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (C), Kusal Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, , Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Wanindu Hasaranga
Team Combinations
Pathum Nissanka and Danushka Gunathilaka will lead the openers challenge for Sri Lanka, while Bhanuka Rajapaksa will be expected to play at No. 3 after superb performance for Punjab Kings, followed by strong middle order consists of Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka.
Dushmantha Chameera will a tough bowler to face in initial overs for Australia, while Matheesha Pathirana is all set to create a big impact with his unique bowling action. Wanindu Hasaranga, who finished with 26 wickets, the second-highest in the recently concluded IPL along with Maheesh Theekshana will take good care of the spin department.
For Australia, The proven opening pair of David Warner and Aaron Finch are all set to start the proceedings followed by Matthew Wade, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis. While the all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who played for Delhi Capitals in Ipl 2022 has been in impressive form and is suitable to player to use during the death overs.
Mitchell Starc will lead the Australian fast bowling department with other interesting fast bolwer Josh Hazlewood and Jhye Richardson, while Ashton Agar will be a perfect choice to use in Sri Lankan conditions.
Players to watch out for
The biggest thread for the Sri Lankan side in the series would be the in form David Warner, who scored 432 runs in 12 innings with a strike rate of 150.52 in the recently completed Indian Premiere League 2022. Apart from Warner, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis with their bat, while Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Ashton Agar can give headache to Sri Lanka in the 1st T20
Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Mendis and Matheesha Pathirana are the strongest players in the Sri Lanka side.
The reigning T20 world champions, Australia, are ranked fifth in the ICC T20I rankings, while Sri Lanka is ranked ninth.
The second match of the series will be played on June 8, while the final game will take place on June 11.
Following a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, which begins on June 7, Australia will play five One-Day Internationals against Sri Lanka, with the first match taking place on June 14 in Kandy.
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