SL vs AUS | 5th ODI | Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, CREX XI

High-flying Sri Lanka will cross swords with an Aaron Finch-led Australia for the fifth and final match of the ongoing five-match ODI series. The clash is scheduled to be played on Friday (24th June) at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. 

The underperforming Island nation astounded the cricketing fraternity with the quality of cricket they have played in the last few days. They have already bagged the five-match series by winning three consecutive games.

With their hard-fought four-run victory in the 4th ODI, the Lankan Lions ended their 30-year drought as they won their first bilateral ODI series against Australia at home since 1992.   

After being put to bat first, the hosts were bowled out for 258 in 49 overs, with Charith Asalanka being the top scorer with a 106-ball 110. Dhananjaya de Silva also played a brisk knock of 60 from 61 balls, while the other batters could not even cross the 21-run mark. Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, and Matthew Kuhnemann bagged two wickets each for the visitors. 

Australia, in reply, were looking to hunt down the target at one stage, with David Warner standing tall and looking stable. However, Sri Lanka had other plans as they attacked the Men in Yellow with six spinners.  

The Lankan spin maestros bowled a total of 43 overs – the most by a team in an ODI to dismantle the batting line-up of Australia and clinch their third successive win.

Warner top-scored for the visitors, having smashed a 112-ball 99. 

For Sri Lanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Jeffrey Vandersay scalped two wickets each, followed by Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage and Dasun Shanaka, who picked one wicket each. 

Heading into the final ODI, Sri Lanka will aim to sustain their winning momentum, while Australia will look to win the last game and salvage some pride ahead of the upcoming Test series. 

Match Details

Match: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 5th ODI 

Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Date & Time: 24th June at 2:30 PM IST & Local Time

Live Streaming: Sony Six and Sony LIV app 

Pitch Report  

The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo has assisted the spinners in the last couple of games, and a similar trend is expected to be followed on Friday. Batters will need to be cautious of the movement and turns. Winning the toss and batting first would be the preferred choice.  

Pitch Stats

Total matches: 139

Matches won batting first: 75

Matches won bowling first: 54

Average 1st Inns score: 237

Average 2nd Inns score: 197

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

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

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: 102

Australian Won: 62

Sri Lanka Won: 36

No Result: 4 

Injury Update

Australia: Travis Head was ruled out of the 5th ODI after sustaining an injury he suffered due to fatigue. Josh Inglis is likely to replace him in the playing XI. 

Sri Lanka: They are expected to play with an unchanged side against Australia on Friday. 

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), Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood

CREX XI Suggestion 

Wicket-Keepers: Kusal Mendis

Batters: David Warner, Charith Asalanka, Aaron Finch

All-Rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhananjaya de Silva

Bowlers: Jeffrey Vandersay, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Chamika Karunaratne

Captain: Dhananjaya de Silva

Vice-Captain: David Warner