It’s an exciting clash in the group of death as Australia takes on Sri Lanka in match number 22 of this ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Dubai. Both teams are coming into this match with a victory in their first game of the Super 12 stage. Australia defeated South Africa in the last over of the game. On the other hand, Sri Lanka chased down the target set by Bangladesh with an over to spare. Both the teams look solid and are gearing up for this contest since every win in the Super 12 stage is crucial. Australia is a complete side with all three departments of the game covered. Sri Lanka has looked like vintage Sri Lanka as their batting looks pretty good and, their bowling line-up is in some form. It will be an edge-of-the-seat contest as both teams are on winning momentum. Let’s look at the various factors of the game.
Head-to-head in T20I
It’s all even when it comes to head-to-head between these two teams in T20I. Both teams have won eight matches each against each other in the shortest format of the game. But in the last five encounters, Australia has been all over Sri Lanka as they have won four out of five. The last time these two played was two years ago, and now this Sri Lankan side is a different one, which looks like a stronger team. This encounter in the Super 12 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be a thriller in Dubai as both the teams will be looking to get a win and go past the other team in both head-to-head and in the points table.
Players to Watch out for: Australia
The Australians have a good record against the Sri Lankans, and they also look in good shape as a team in this World Cup. Steve Smith is coming into the party and has been the backbone of the batting unit, as he has scored runs in the first match and the warm-up matches. Maxwell and Stoinis have also batted well and finished the games well with the bat in hand. But if Australia needs to go a long way in this World Cup, they need their star opening batsmen David Warner to fire. If there is any team whom Warner can target and find his form, it’s the Sri Lankans. Warner has a stellar record against the Lankans in T20Is as he has scored his only century against them. He has hit 447 runs at an astonishing average of 55.87, hitting the ball at a rate of 136.69. Now coming to the bowling, Australia has been known for its pace bowling, and the likes of Cummins and Hazlewood are in great bowling form. But it is their young leggie Adam Zampa who loves to play against the Sri Lankans. Zampa has the maximum wickets against Sri Lanka, grabbing 14 wickets in nine matches. Zampa has an impressive strike rate of 12 and an economy of 5.64, both unheard of for a spinner in the 20 over format. Australia has got all bases covered and will come in charging against the Lankans for their second win in this ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Players to Watch out for: Sri Lanka
This current Sri Lankan side is young and is a fierce one. They don’t have immense experience of the World Cup, but the players are eager to fight and win matches for their country. Their new number three batsman Charith Asalanka is one of those. He has been in blistering form at this World Cup and also in his T20I career. He has scored 150 runs at an average of 37.50. He is coming into this match with a magnificent match-winning knock of 80* against the Bangladesh team. He will be a player to watch out for against this fiery Australian bowling line-up. Another player who has been in great form with the ball for Sri Lanka is their leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga. The leggie is currently second in the ICC bowling rankings and has looked unplayable in his recent matches. In his T20I career, he has picked up 42 wickets at a strike rate of 14. His economy rate is also one of the best in this format, at just 6.39. The Australians will have to pick his deliveries well, or the Lankan leggie will rattle through the Australian batting unit.
Probable XI
Australia: Australia did look like a solid team in their match against the South Africans. Looking at his record against the Lankans, Australia should give their experienced opener Warner another chance. They should go unchanged in their fixture against the Lankans and aim to win another match and march towards the semi-finals spot.
Sri Lanka: The Lankans are unbeaten in this tournament and haven’t made extensive changes as they are playing their fifth match of this tournament. Sri Lanka had to make a forced change in their last game bringing in Fernando for the injured Maheesh Theekshana. The news suggests that Theekshana is fit to play, and the mystery spinner should straight away come into the playing XI for the match against the Aussies.