SRI LANKA EYE AUSTRALIA WHITEWASH
Aday before Australia begins its four-test series against India in Pune, another Australian side will take on Sri Lanka in the Third and Final Twenty20 International in faraway Adelaide today (22).
Australia’s first aim will be to salvage some pride, having already conceded the series with last-ball losses in both earlier games.
Aaron Finch, Australia’s Captain for the series, didn’t mince words when he said after losing the first match that his country had underperformed in the format ‘since forever’.
In the absence of several big names including Steve Smith, the regular captain, David Warner and Mitchell Starc, the batsmen of Big Bash League fame have done a fairly good job.
Michael Klinger has been steady at the top while Travis Head, Ben Dunk and Moises Henriques have quick runs against their names.
The inexperience, though, is telling in the bowling department as Australia has allowed Sri Lanka to twice chase down competitive totals despite having it in bother at various points.
The likes of Andrew Tye and Billy Stanlake have not stepped up, giving the opponent an opening it has barged through. It has also left too much to do for the likes of James Faulkner and Pat Cummins.
Credit, however, should also go to the visitors. Sri Lanka came into the series having been whitewashed 5-0 by South Africa in the one-dayers, but was still high on confidence as it had won the preceding T20I series 2-1.
Sri Lanka now seems to have identified a brand of cricket that’s working wonders for it in the shortest format. What’s most refreshing about its turnaround is the freedom with which its batsmen have operated; irrespective of the situation, Sri Lanka’s batting mantra seems to be attack.
The onslaught in both games has been led by Asela Gunaratne, the latest hero. The right-handed middleorder batsman has twice helped Sri Lanka to victories in tough chases
The inexperience, though, is telling in the bowling department as Australia has allowed Sri Lanka to twice chase down competitive totals despite having it in bother at various points
with half-centuries. The second game in particular was an absolute heist, as he helped his side hunt down 174 from 40 for five with a stunning, unbeaten 46-ball 84. Now with a maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) contract in hand, Gunaratne will once look to re-establish his capabilities.
But Sri Lanka hasn’t been a oneman team as Dilshan Munaweera and Chamara Kapugedera have made vital contributions with the bat. It will, however, miss Niroshan Dickwella having been suspended for showing dissent at the umpire’s decision.
The bowling too has been bolstered by Lasith Malinga’s return. Despite not playing for a year, Malinga has showed no signs of rustiness, sending down his famed yorkers with precision. Nuwan Kulasekara too will be on a high, having picked up four wickets in the second T20I.
Australia swept Sri Lanka 2-0 when they faced off in the T20IS in the island nation last year. On Wednesday, Sri Lanka will have an opportunity to return the favour, and even go one better. TEAMS (FROM):
Australia: Aaron Finch (Captain), Pat Cummins, Ben Dunk, James Faulkner, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Michael Klinger, Tim Paine (wk), Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye and Adam Zampa.
Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga (Captain), Vikum Sanjaya, Asela Gunaratne, Chamara Kapugedara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dilshan Munaweera, Sachith Pathirana, Seekkuge Prasanna, Lakshan Sandakan, Dasun Shanaka, Milinda Siriwardana and Isuru Udana. (ICC)