Sri Lanka bank on Hasaranga taking on world champions Australia

The pandemic has forced us to do a lot of catching up. We witnessed a T-20 World Cup last year and we will witness another one this year. Having been crowned World Champions in Dubai, Australia will defend their title this year at home. On their way to World Cup defence, the five match bilateral series against Sri Lanka is their first assignment. The first game gets underway today in Sydney at 1:40pm Sri Lanka time. The first two games will take place at SCG followed by the third game in Canberra while Melbourne will host the last two games.

The Sri Lankan side is thin on experience but in Wanindu Hasaranga they have world’s number one ranked bowler and the tourists will be banking on him. The leg-spinner rose through the ranks last year and has come up with some match winning performances while his batting exploits lower down the order have been handy and Sri Lanka have used him as a floater whenever there has been a collapse. He has been up to the challenge.

Sri Lanka will not encounter old pal David Warner, who has been rested. The left-hander was in such poor form when Sri Lanka took on Australia in last year’s World Cup and a dropped catch early in his innings allowed him to get back into form and he ended up as Player of the Series in the World Cup. Rested along with Warner is Man of the Match in the World Cup final against New Zealand Mitchell Marsh.

Ben McDermott, a right-handed top order batsman will replace Warner while wicketkeeper batsman Josh Inglis will make his debut. He will not keep wickets though as Australia rely on Matthew Wade.

In Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, the hosts have a formidable pace attack and probably the best in the world. It will be a good challenge for Dasun Shanaka’s side on bouncy pitches.

Sri Lanka suffered a major blow when Kusal Mendis tested positive for COVID. Technically, he should be available for the third T-20 in Canberra on Tuesday if his second PCR test next Monday is negative but Sri Lanka are unlikely to take a chance and his best bet seems to be returning to the side next Friday in the fourth game at MCG. Dinesh Chandimal is expected to keep wickets.

It remains to be seen whether Sri Lanka will back Danushka Gunathilaka to open the innings with Pathum Nissanka or Avishka Fernando will be preferred. It could be that both batsmen feature in the game with Fernando occupying number four slot. Charith Asalanka was so impressive during the World Cup and with the added responsibility of vice-captain this will be a breakthrough year for a player who has promised so much in his brief international career so far.

Inclement weather could play spoil sport in the first T-20 International.