Follow UsAfter two matches in Pallekele, the action now shifts to the R Premadasa Stadium (RPS), Colombo where the remainder of the One-Day International (ODI) series will be played. With the series level at 1-1, there’s all to play for, for both Sri Lanka and Australia, who will look to take the upper hand in the series, with a win in the third ODI.
A win in the second ODI meant Sri Lanka had won their first 50-over contest against Australia in six attempts – their first in nearly six years.
Ground details
In the last three years, the split in wickets between pace and spin at RPS, Colombo has been more or less equal. The team batting first has also gone to win over 55% of the matches.
However, there has been a slight shift in dynamics in ODIs since 2021, it is the spinners who have enjoyed a lot more success than the pacers here, scalping close to 66% of the wickets. Moreover, they have done so at an economy rate of five, an average of 28.6 and have struck once every 34.2 deliveries. The corresponding numbers for the fast bowlers are 6.1, 40.7 and 40.3 respectively, which are not particularly great.
Hence, do stock your side with spinners, but also do not discount the value the pacers too bring in and consider including at least two of them. Both sides have world-class options in that department.
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 ©, Glenn Maxwell (vc)
For grand leagues: Charith Asalanka ©, David Warner (vc)
Stats that matter
Sri Lanka and Australia have played seven ODI bilateral series before this. Both teams have won three series apiece. The ongoing series is the first between the two in six years
This will be the 100th ODI between the two teams. In the previous 99 games, Sri Lanka have won 33, while the Aussies have won 62 with four matches yielding no result.
Glenn Maxwell has been in fine form in ODIs since 2020. He has played just eight matches in this time frame and has scored 463 runs at 77.17 and a strike-rate of 145.1. In his eight innings, he has struck four fifties and a century, making him a dangerous prospect. He is also a handy bowling option.
With 122 runs in two matches, Kusal Mendis is the highest run-getter in the series. Mendis has scored with equal ease against the pacers and the spinners this series. Over 51% of his runs against the spinners have come in boundaries, scoring one every 8.7 deliveries against them compared to 16.7 deliveries against the pacers.
Grand League punts
Charith Asalanka is Sri Lanka’s highest scorer in ODIs since 2021 with 522 runs at 40.15 to his name. He has not been in the best of forms of late, but we can back him to get some runs at RPS. He has it 323 runs from six innings at this venue, which includes three fifties.
David Warner has hit just one century in 14 ODI innings since 2020. He had an excellent IPL, but has looked scratchy in the first two games. This could be the game we see the best of him.
Chamika Karunaratne also could be a top pick. In ODIs since 2020, he has scored 294 runs at 32.67 down the order and has also been impressive with the ball he has picked up 14 wickets at an economy rate of 5.4.
Probable XI:
Sri Lanka: Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Chamika Karunaratne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage
NOTE: Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out of the second ODI due to a groin injury. If fit, he will replace Jeffrey Vandersay in the XI.
Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Hazlewood