Follow UsAustralia began their tour of Sri Lanka with two comprehensive wins and clinched the T20I series, but were in for a rude awakening in the third T20I when captain Dasun Shanaka smashed an unbeaten 54 off just 25 balls to take the hosts to victory with one ball remaining.
While Sri Lanka have brought back some key players in the form of Dhananjaya de Silva and Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Australia were hampered by the injuries to pace spearhead Mitchell Starc and allrounder Mitchell Marsh. Kane Richardson, who came in as a replacement for Starc, also suffered a bad hamstring injury which ruled him out of the entire ODI series.
However Australia have their strong batting line-up intact after playing the spin-heavy attack from the hosts with great authority. However, a couple of different players could make the difference at the Pallekele where the teams will face off in the first ODI on Tuesday (June 14).
Ground Details
A total of just four ODIs have been played at the Pallekele International Stadium since 2020 where average first innings scores have been 290. They have heavily favoured batters as only 60 wickets fell and no bowlers claiming four wickets or more in this period. Pacers have claimed 39 of those while spinner have taken 21 wickets. Fast bowlers have struck every 32.5 balls while spinners have a strike rate of 46.2 balls per wicket. So its better to go with seven players who can bat and go with five who can bowl.
Suggested Team
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
Captain and vice-captain suggestions
For Small leagues: Kusal Mendis (captain), Dushmantha Chameera (vice-captain)
For Grand leagues: Josh Hazlewood (captain), Steve Smith (vice-captain)
Stats that Matter
- Patthum Nissanka has delivered in ODIs whenever Sri Lanka played at Pallekele. The right-hander has scored 146 runs at a strike rate of 100.7 in the three ODIs played at the venue since 2019 and has scored two fifties.
- Pallekele has been a lucky venue for Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka who has scored his maiden ODI century against Zimbabwe in January this year. With form on his side, he will like to have a go at the Australian bowlers as he possesses a strike rate of 102.1 at the death.
- Dushmantha Chameera has been superb in the powerplay since 2020 with 12 wickets from 15 innings at an economy of 5.4. For Australia, Josh Hazlewood has done the same in this phase with 13 wickets from 12 innings with a dot percentage of 73 since 2020.
Grand League Punts
- No matter how rocky his Test form has been off lately, Steve Smith has been in sensational form in the ODIs. The right hander has amassed 568 runs from his last nine innings at an average of 63.11 which include two fifties and three hundreds.
- Wanindu Hasaranga's leg-spin gets a lot of credit, but his death overs batting is quite underplayed. Since 2020, allrounder has batted at a strike rate of 127 in the final phase of the innings scoring 197 runs from eight innings.
- Kusal Mendis has the best strike rate of 91.5 among Sri Lankan batters in the middle overs since 2020 scoring 259 in this phase in seven innings.
Probable XIs
Sri Lanka : Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (C), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando.
Australia: Aaron Finch (C), David Warner, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (WK), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Josh Hazlewood.