SL vs AUS | 4th ODI | Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, CREX XI

Australia will look to bounce back and level the series 2-2 when they take on Sri Lanka in the 4th ODI of the five-match series on Tuesday (June 21). The must-win clash for Australia is scheduled to be played at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 

Riding on Pathum Nissanka's maiden ODI century (137) and Kusal Mendis' brilliant knock of 87, Sri Lanka outplayed Australia in the 3rd ODI by six wickets to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

After winning the toss, Australia decided to bat first at a track which looked suitable for batting in the early phases. David Warner’s poor form with the bat in the ODI series continued as he could only manage nine runs. Mitchell Marsh also struggled to get going and was dismissed for a score of 10.

Skipper Aaron Finch along with Marnus Labuschagne stitched together a crucial 69-run stand before Labuschagne was ousted for 29. Later, some terrific display of batting from Alex Carey (49 off 52), Travis Head (70* off 65), and Glenn Maxwell (33 off 18) helped the visitors post 291/6 on the board at the end of the allotted 50 overs. 

Jeffrey Vandersay was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts as he bagged a 3-wicket haul to push high-flying Australia into the back foot. Dushmantha Chameera, Dunith Wellalage and Dhanajaya de Silva scalped one wicket each. 

Sri Lanka have now won two matches in a row in the ODI series and they have taken a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. They will now be backing themselves to continue their momentum and win the 4th ODI to bag the series in the next match. However, it won't be an easy task against Australia, who will be looking to make a comeback in a must-win game to keep themselves alive in the series. 

Match Details

Match: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 4th ODI 

Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Date & Time: 21st June at 2:30 PM IST & Local Time

Live Streaming: Sony Six and Sony LIV app 

Pitch Report  

The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is not a high-scoring venue. Bowlers are going to dominate the game here while the batters need to be a bit cautious while playing their shots. We can expect the teams to go for batting first after winning the toss. 

Pitch Stats

Total matches: 138

Matches won batting first: 74

Matches won bowling first: 54

Average 1st Inns score: 236

Average 2nd Inns score: 197

The highest heat total recorded: 375/5 (50 Overs) by IND vs SL

The lowest total recorded: 86/10 (29.3 Overs) by NED vs SL

The highest score chased: 292/4 (48.3 Overs) by SL vs AUS

Lowest score defended: 204/7 (50 Overs) by SL vs IND

Head-To-Head 

Matches Played: 101

Australian Won: 62

Sri Lanka Won: 35

No Result: 4 

Injury Update

Australia: Pat Cummins is expected to make a comeback in the 4th ODI for the visitors.

Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis got cramps in the 3rd ODI and left the field after getting retired hurt. However, he is hopeful of recovering before the 4th ODI.

Squads 

Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Niroshan Dickwella, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Ramesh Mendis, Mahesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Madushanka, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan

Australia: Aaron Finch (C), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

Probable Playing XI

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Kusal Mendis/Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera, Mahesh Theekshana

Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Mitchell Marsh, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Swepson, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Josh Hazlewood

CREX XI Suggestion

Wicket-Keeper: Alex Carey, Kusal Mendis

Batters: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Pathum Nissanka

All-Rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Dhananjaya de Silva 

Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Dushmantha Chameera, Jeffrey Vandersay 

Captain: David Warner

Vice-Captain: Dhananjaya de Silva