Sri Lanka seek consolation win at Pallekele

by Rex Clementine

Today’s final T-20 International between Australia and Sri Lanka at Pallekele will be a dead rubber with the tourists having already secured the series, but the hosts will want to head into the ODI series that starts on Tuesday with a positive note. Sri Lanka’s batting failed to click in the first two games having put up below par scores. Although the bowlers did well to restrict Australia to 99 for seven during a modest run chase of 125 in the second game, there was no stopping the formidable Australian line-up. Despite Sri Lanka not being able to fire on all cylinders, there’s lot of interest for the game in Kandy with tickets being sold out 48 hours before the game. Australia, who will be defending their T-20 World Cup title later this year at home are expected to make a few changes with the intentions of giving experience to some of their reserves. Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc has been ruled out of the game with injury and he is unlikely to take part in the first two ODIs in Kandy.

Whether Sri Lanka will make changes to the batting unit or back their top and middle order hoping them to come good remains to be seen. Nuwanindu Fernando had a good outing in UK recently when he represented Sri Lanka Development Squad. He scored a match winning hundred against Gloucestershire in Bristol and could make his debut today.

Pallekele has good conditions for batting but Sri Lanka will be hoping that they will be playing on a track that helps spin bowlers a bit as Aaron Finch’s side struggled in the second game in Colombo on a used wicket. Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga obviously is the key for Sri Lanka having nearly won the second game where he picked up four wickets. While Maheesh Theekshanka has been picked as the second spinner, Sri Lanka will be tempted to add a third spinner. They have Lakshan Sandakan and Praveen Jayawickrama in the squad and the latter with his excellent fielding skills could be handy to the side.

Australia:

(From) Aaron Finch (Captain), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Swepson and Josh Hazlewood.

Sri Lanka:

(From) Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Nuwanindu Fernando, Lahiru Madushanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Ramesh Mendis, Praveen Jayawickrama and Lakshan Sandakan.