SL v AUS, 3rd ODI Preview: Sri Lanka start as favorites

Sri Lanka and Australia will be looking to gain an advantage over each other when they meet at Dambulla. Sri Lanka made it even by winning the 2nd ODI comfortably and somewhat dent Australia’s confidence yet again. Given the first and second ODI have concluded, it’s quite tough to predict that in which team’s favor the rest of the series will go. The hosts will be confident with the way their team has as a unit while the visitors will be banking upon its bowlers and hope that their batsmen produce an inspiring performance.

Sri Lanka:

Sri Lanka looks good as a unit. The middle order after failing in the first ODI came back strongly and were the architects of the win for their team. Rising sensation Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, and skipper Angelo Mathews form the core of the batting order. The young-old opening pair of Sunathilaka and Dilshan need to give good starts.

All-rounders Thisara Perera and Seekuge Prasanna have been great with the ball but need to give better contributions with the bat. The upcoming match will also be special as Veteran Tillakaratne Dilshan will be playing his last ODI after announcing his retirement from International cricket.

Probable XI:

Angelo Mathews (C), Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Thisara Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Amila Aponso, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal

Also read: First time in international cricket that matches of all the three formats begin on the same day

Australia:

The blame for the loss in the 2^nd game can be put on the batsmen entirely. Their problems with spinner continue. So far it has appeared that be it Rangana Herath or any other newbie, if its spin, then they are bound to falter. The absence of Steven Smith, who has returned to left the team, will be another huge problem to deal with. Stand-in skipper David Warner himself has two single digit scores and will be hoping to make some match-winning contributions.

But, despite losing, Australia had so many positive, especially in the bowling department. Except for Moises Henriques, every bowler used by Steven Smith in the last game were successful. Mitchell Starc and James Faulkner remain the most troublesome men for the opposition. Spinners Nathan Lyon and Adam Zampa have also been among the wickets. Part-timers have been of great help. The pitch is also expected to be bowler friendly. Therefore, it’s easy to say that, at the moment, bowling remains their strength.

Probable XI:

Usman Khawaja/Shaun Marsh, Matthew Wade (WK), David Warner (C), Aaron Finch, George Bailey, Moises Henriques, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazelwood

Match starts at 14:30 IST

Match will be live on Ten Sports

Stats:

• Australia has played here only twice and has a 1-1 record (both games were against Sri Lanka in 2004)
• The highest team total posted by Australia at this venue is 262/6 which they achieved against Sri Lanka in 2004.
• Australia’s David Warner requires 37 runs to complete 500 runs against Sri Lanka.