AUS v SL: T20 WC PREVIEW

SL lock horns with Australia in match no 19 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

The Asian Champions suffered a shock defeat in their opening encounter against Namibia and were in a tight position against UAE and Ned. SL's stay down under has been marred by injuries just like it was earlier this year in February. So far they have lost their ace bowlers Dilshan Madhushanka and Dushmantha Chameera to injuries. Danushka Gunathalika too has been ruled out of the tournament.

The standout performer has been Kusal Mendis.

Since the beginning of Asia Cup, he has registered 4 half centuries in 9 innings. SL suffered a massive blow as onw of their mainstays Pathum Nissanka was ruled out against Ireland with a groin injury. He is expected to recover for this game. Apart from the top order and skipper, Bhanuka Rajapaksa has proved out to be SL's MVP and played a lions share in helping them win Asia cup. He scored 191 runs at a SR of 145 and chipped in with crucial cameos in almost every game.

No team has been successful in defending their title and no team has won a t20 wc on their home soil. Australia had the worst possible start to their campaign by losing to NZ by 90 odd runs. Such a huge defeat could knock them out of tournament if NRR comes to play at the fag end of the Super 12.

A series loss against Ind, Eng, and a closely fought series against WI has left Australia with too many questions in the run up to the tournament. While the inclusion of Tim David and Cam Green prior to the WC has rewarded them with too many options in the batting line up but there are stil some chinks in their armour. The skipper doesn't warrant a place on merit and has been struggling to lay bat on the ball since quite a while. Their fortunes largely depend on the start given by Warner.

Probable XI

Australia

Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Sri Lanka

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando, Lahiru Kumara

Venue

Optus Stadium, Perth

Total matches 3

Matches won batting first 1

Matches won bowling first 2

Average 1st Inns scores 142

Average 2nd Inns scores 140

Highest total recorded 208/6 (20 Ov) by ENG vs AUS

Lowest total recorded 112/10 (19.4 Ov) by AFG vs ENG

Highest score chased 113/5 (18.1 Ov) by ENG vs AFG

Lowest score defended 208/6 (20 Ov) by ENG vs AUS

Head to Head

Overall: Aus leads by 15-10

Batting 1st: Aus leads by 6-3

Batting 2nd: Aus leads by 9-2

Last 5 matches: Aus leads by 3-2

Highest run scorer - David Warner (642)

Highest wk taker - Adam Zampa (21)

Team Form

(Last 5 matches)

AUS: L L L W W
SL: W W L W W

Form Update

(Last 5 innings)

Match Ups

Warner v Hasaranga: 60 off 53 balls with 1 dismissal

Maxwell v Hasaranga: 46 off 28 balls with 4 dismissals

Finch v Hasaranga: 48 off 27 balls with 4 dismissals

Maxwell v Theekshana: 53 off 27 balls with 2 dismissals

Mendis v Hazlewood: 7 off 1l balls with 2 dismissals

Shanaka v Hazlewood: 30 off 25 balls with 2 dismissals

Asalanka v Zampa: 18 off 16 with 2 dismissals

Nissanka v Zampa: 23 off 26 with 2 dismissals

Key Players & Fantasy Picks

David Warner

He has scored the most runs against Sri Lanka ( 642) at an average of 58 and 140 SR with 6 half centuries and one century. He found his form back against the same opponents in last t20 wc by scoring a half century and went on to become the man of the tournament. Warner has been in decent form coming into the world cup with half centuries against WI and against Eng at the same venue 2 weeks back.

Dasun Shanaka

Sri Lanka's biggest strength in the batting department is their skipper Dasun Shanaka who has been one of the best finishers in the format this year. Since the beginning of 2022, he has scored 456 runs at a SR of 142.

Glenn Maxwell

Just Like Warner, Maxwell too has a stellar record against Lankans with 459 runs at a humoungus SR of 175. Maxwell seems have to found some touch in the opening encounter after failing to register double digits in 6 out of his last 7 international outings.
In Addition to that, Maxwell's bowling could be a decisive factor in the middle overs against Asalanka and Rajapaksa.

Wanindu Hasaranga

In the bowling department their success will mainly lie on Hasaranga and Theekshana. Hasaranga created a record by picking most wkts in the middle overs by a spinner in a season while playing for RCB and is one of the best bowlers in t20s currently. His trajectory and bowling height makes it difficult for the batters to read him. Theekshana bowls crucial overs in the Powerplay and was one of the main reasons for CSK's turn around in the 2nd half.

Fantasy XI