AUS vs SL, 2nd T20I | Match Preview, Predictions, Fantasy XI

The caravan of Sri Lanka's T20I tour of Australia rolls on as the former World Cup-winners lock horns with reigning champions in the second game of the five-match series at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday.

The Aaron Finch-led unit made a short work of their counterparts in the series opener on Friday thanks to a brilliant bowling performance by pacer Josh Hazlewood (4/12 in 4 overs) and leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who spun Lankan batsmen into a tizzy, finishing with figures of 3/18 in 4 overs.

That said, the Australian think-tank will be aware of the fact that they did not bat as well as they would have liked on Friday.  Skipper Finch's poor form continued as he managed a pain-staking 12-ball 8 before getting knocked over by Wanindu Hasaranga (3/38 in 4 overs).

Ben McDermott made the most of his opportunity in the absence of David Warner as he top-scored with a 41-ball 53. He and Marcus Stoinis, who stroked a 17-ball 30 to lift the total to 149/9, were the lone shining lights for the home side as far as batting is concerned.

The biggest talking point from Australia's batting inning was the position at which they slotted Steven Smith. The former skipper batted out of position (5) and, on expected terms, struggled as Hasaranga knocked him over for an 8-ball 9.

Smith's best chance of performing in T20s is if he bats in the top-3. If Australia are aiming to blood the likes of Josh Inglis at the top-order, then Smith clearly doesn't warrant a place in the starting XI. It will be interesting to see at which piston he comes out to bat on Sunday.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, were once again let down by their batsmen on Friday as they had no answers to the hard lengths of Hazlewood and the variations of Zampa.

The likes of Pathum Nissanka (36 off 37 deliveries), Charith Asalanka (16 off 19 deliveries) and Wanindu Hasaranga (13 off 11 deliveries) got off to starts but never looked like taking the game away from the home side.

The bowling, however, was top-class, with the likes of Hasaranga, Karunaratne (2/22 in 4 overs), Dushmanta Chameera (2/38 in 4 overs) and Binura Fernando (2/12 in 4 overs) tightening the screws on the Aussie batsmen.

They would be hoping for more support from the batsmen on Sunday as the tourists aim to enforce a decider in the three-match series.

Match Details - Australia vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I

Date: 13th February 2022

Time: 1:40 PM IST

Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney 

Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network 

Pitch Report:

The pitch of the Sydney Cricket Ground aided both pacers and spinners in the last game, as evident from the numbers of both sets of skills across both sides.

Squads:

Australia

Aaron Finch (c), Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Josh Inglis, Ben McDermott, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Jhye Richardson, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa.

Sri Lanka

Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Kumara, Kusal Mendis, Ramesh Mendis, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shiran Fernando.

Probable Playing XI:

Australia

Aaron Finch (C), Ben McDermott, Josh Inglis, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis,  Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Sri Lanka

Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana

CE Fantasy XI:

Ben McDermott, Danushka Gunathilaka, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell (C),  Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Matthew Wade, Wanindu Hasaranga (VC), Adam Zampa, Binura Fernando, Josh Hazlewood

Captain: Glenn Maxwell

Vice-captain: Wanindu Hasaranga