AUS v SL, 2nd T20I Preview: Wounded Australia aims to bounce back at Greenlong

In what was an extremely interesting contest between both Australia and Sri Lanka in the first T20 international of the series played in the iconic Melbourne Cricket ground, the excitement for the series to continue in the second encounter at Greenlong is something that will once again see both these sides go against each other. However, despite all of this there is something that both sides need to take note of which is the venue.

The Simonds Stadium is one that will be hosting its first ever men’s international encounter, something that is certainly will catch the eye of both the sides. Moreover, the fact that this venue is also playing host to perhaps one of the most high profile of matches is something that will add to the excitement. That said, a mouthwatering encounter is certainly on the cards as the duo are set to clash at Greenlong.

Prelude

While the wicket is certainly one that is going to be viewed as one of those with suspicion, the fact is that the uncanny and unlikely Sri Lankans have a lead in the T20I series so far, something that not many expected. Should they secure a win against the Aussies as well, it would be most unprecedented given the fact that they are now on the way towards securing a win against both South Africa and New Zealand on the spin. However, in spite of all of this, there is certainty to the manner in which the Aussies are expected to stage a comeback in the grand scheme of things as well.

The unpredictable Lankans

As mentioned earlier, the Sri Lankans are rather unpredictable. While this holds to be true in their consistency and the manner in which they have gone about their matches and team selection in recent times, the fact of the matter is that they are now the ones chasing a series result in Greenlong. The manner in which Asela Gunaratne stepped up to arms with a phenomenal 52 was perhaps the hallmark of the innings, something that certainly ensured that the Sri Lankans were perhaps those who did well exclusively in T20 cricket, similar to their West Indies counterparts.

The Australian ‘A’ team

Although it was Australia who were on the brunt on the day, it was quite clear that the Australians were more than good on the day. Despite this being somewhat of a second-string side with most of their first-team players in India, the fact is that the Aussies could very well stage an impressive fightback on the day, something that is clearly on the cards as well. Michael Klinger, Shaun Marsh, Moises Henriques, Pat Cummins, and perhaps even Adam Zampa are those who certainly boast of World Class talent. Therefore, it is highly likely that an Australian win is certainly on the cards to say the least.

Australia 

Despite a few terrible outings with the bat, Moises Henriques is expected to keep his place in the side and will be hoping to make it count with both bat and ball. In addition, the likes of Andrew Tye and Billy Stanlake would also be hoping to keep their place, especially with the former being one of those who would be on the sidelines after a terrible outing in Melbourne.

Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankans would probably not be looking to tweak their winning combination despite the fact that they only got their noses in front to go ahead and secure a victory on the day. However, despite all of this there is something in the bowling department that the Lankans would be attempting to tighten the screws a bit more.

Probable XI

Australia: 

Aaron Finch (C), Tim Paine (wk), Shaun Marsh, Michael Klinger, Travis Head, Sam Heazlett/Ashton Turner, Moises Henriques, James Faulkner, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa, Billy Stanlake

Sri Lanka: 

Upul Tharanga (C), Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Dilshan Munaweera, Asela Gunaratne, Chamara Kapugedera, Milinda Siriwardana, Sekkugge Prasanna, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lakshan Sandakan, Vikrum Sanjaya

StAttack:

1. This will be the first T20 international to be played at the Simonds Stadium in Greenlong.

2. Aaron Finch requires six more hits beyond the ropes to amass 50 sixes to his name in T20 cricket. He will only become the third Australian batsman to achieve this feat after David Warner and Shane Watson.

3. Barring Asela Gunaratne, no other batsman in the Sri Lankan side has a half-century in T20 cricket. Gunaratne’s half-century also came in the previous game against the Aussies at Melbourne.

4. Only Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara have more than 50 wickets in not only the Sri Lankan squad but among all the bowlers playing in this particular series. The rest of the Lankan bowlers have only wickets in the single digits.