Sri Lanka will tour Australia for a five-match T20I series, starting tomorrow at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The two teams last played a shortest-format game in the T20 World Cup 2021, the tournament which saw Australia being crowned as the champions.
With the focus now on the marquee T20 event, scheduled later this year, Australia and Sri Lanka will see the upcoming series as an opportunity to figure out their best possible XIs.
Coming at the back of a one-sided Ashes triumph, the Aussies will aim to assert their dominance over a comparative weaker Sri Lankan unit. Aaron Finch will resume the captaincy duties after enjoying a lengthy break from international cricket. Going in with a full-strength squad, Australia will begin the much-awaited series as the firm favourites.
Most importantly, the series comes just days after the unexpected resignation of the former Australia head coach Justin Langer. Post Langer's sudden announcement, Australia named Andrew McDonald as their interim head coach.
After an ODI series win against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka will eye another series victory as they currently are marching on the path of a comeback. As their greats left, Sri Lanka were never the same again. Constant chopping and changing and the inability to find a settled XI resulted in their quick downfall.
However, their tough character in the last T20I World Cup gave an indication of their capabilities in the international arena. The new set of youngsters are willing to be at their very best and the fans will be hoping for their good show to continue on the Australian shores.
Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis, who were banned for breaching the COVID-19 protocols, will return to action. Lasith Malinga is Sri Lanka's bowling coach for the series.
Match Details - Australia vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I
Date: 11th 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 produces an even contest with the bat and ball. The batters will find it hard getting used to the bounce of the track in the early overs. However, with the progression of the match, runs will start coming at a quick pace. 166 is the average first innings total at the venue in the last five T20 matches.
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, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana
CE Fantasy XI:
Aaron Finch, Charith Asalanka, Steven Smith, Avishka Fernando, Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Chandimal, Matthew Wade, Wanindu Hasaranga, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Dushmantha Chameera
Captain: Glenn Maxwell
Vice-captain: Wanindu Hasaranga