T20 World Cup 2022: Match 19 - Predicted Sri Lanka Playing XI vs Australia

Sri Lanka are up for a major face-off against the hosts and defending champions Australia in their second fixture of the Super 12 stage in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022. The Lankan Lions put up a clinical performance against Ireland in their previous match to win the contest by nine wickets. Despite being on the backfoot with too many injuries, the side is gearing up to put up a show against the Aussies in the next game.

On the contrary, the Aaron Finch-led Australia were handed a heavy defeat by the previous edition’s runners-up, New Zealand. The Kiwis were right on top from the very first moment, biffing the ball into the crowd and posted a grand total of 200 in their 20 overs. After a night to forget for the Aussie bowlers and batters, the side will now move to the next fixture against current Asia Cup winners, Sri Lanka.

Australia will aim to come back stronger than ever to keep their hopes alive of making it it to the last four of the World Cup. Aaron Finch will be wary of their poor net run rate (-4.450) after the massive 89-run loss at the hands of the Kiwis.

Whereas Dasun Shanaka and Co. will look to continue their momentum as they will have their task cut out against the defending champions. Australia will head into the game as favourites despite their horrible start to the tournament.

Let’s look at Sri Lanka’s probable playing XI against Australia:

Openers: Kusal Mendis (wk) and Dhananjaya de Silva

Wicketkeeper opener Kusal Mendis will face a stern test from the Aussie pace bowlers especially from Mitchell Starc, who will be keen to send him to the dugout from ball one. The keeper has been in fantastic form for his side, scoring an unbeaten 68 runs in the 43 balls he faced with a strike rate of 158.13.

Dhananjaya de Silva is expected to continue as the other opener for the side due to a groin injury to Pathum Nissanka. Nissanka is, however, expected to return soon as the injury is likely not to keep him on the sidelines for too long.

Middle-order: Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Ashen Bandara

Asalanka along with the top-order batters took the attack to the Ireland bowlers as he scored an unbeaten 22-ball 31 in a combined team effort to register the victory. Asalanka was struggling for quite some time and hence his knock against Ireland seems to have given him a lot of confidence.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa is known for his hard-hitting and comes in the middle-order for the squad acting as a catalyst. However, the conditions and the match against Australia might get the better of the player and it remains to be seen if he can stay firm and play his natural game.

Bandara replaced injured Danushka Gunathilaka in the squad, having travelled to Australia with the team as one of two standbys. The selectors have decided to add him in the middle-order to keep the score board ticking and he is also useful with the ball as a spinner. Adding to this, his acrobatics and skills on the field will help the side while fielding.

All-rounder: Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga

Skipper Shanaka is the face of this new Lankan side and has been very crucial for them lately. Considering he can come onto the pitch and use his attacking prowess to bring back the momentum for his side, Shanaka will be key in the high-profile encounter. The captain will need to lead from the front against Australia as the Aussies will look to come back with a bang.

Star spinner, Hasaranga will look to make his signature celebration against Australia by scalping a few wickets. Capable of hitting the ball out of the park is also another skill Hasaranga boasts as he will most likely come lower down the order as the second all-rounder.

Bowlers: Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando

Karunaratne in his four-over spell against Ireland ended up giving away 29 runs with a wicket under his belt. However, Aussie batters will be keen to taken him on and dispatch a few of his balls into the stands. The seamer will be up for a real challenge in the next fixture for sure.

Theekshana and Lahiru Kumara relished fantastic outings against Ireland as the two scalped three wickets and gave away a mere 31 runs in their six overs combined. The duo has got adjusted to the Australian conditions and can use the pitch to their advantage against the batters.

Binura Fernando has significantly improved his game since his dismal outing against the Netherlands where he leaked runs at an economy rate of 8.25 in his four overs. In the game against Ireland, he came with a fine performance giving 27 runs off his four overs with an economy rate of 6.75 and even scalped a wicket.

Sri Lanka predicted XI against Australia: Kusal Mendis(wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Ashen Bandara, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara