Australia are on the tour of Sri Lanka for a three-match T20I Series followed by five ODIs and the final leg consisting of two Tests. The bilateral series tour kick starts on Tuesday, 07th June, with the first T20I that is set to take place at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Both sides last locked horns with each other during Sri Lanka's tour of Australia earlier in February, where the Islanders were handed a humiliating 4-1 defeat in the five-match T20I series.
Australia, the current World T20 champions, are bolstered with the return of their star players David Warner, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will lead the pace attack of the men-in-yellow.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, boasts of in-form players like Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and Matheesha Pathirana, who are coming off a terrific IPL season.
Hasaranga, in fact, played a crucial role in his team's success, and he'll be the key player for the home side once again. With both the star-studded teams looking for a win in the series opener, a thrilling T20 game beckons in Colombo.
Match Details
Match: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st T20I
Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Date & Time: 07th June at 7:00 PM IST & Local Time
Live Streaming: Sony Six and Sony LIV app
Pitch Report
It's a balanced wicket at Colombo with early help for the quick bowlers due to moisture on the surface. The batters need to be cautious of the early movement of the surface, keeping them on their toes.
Keeping wickets in hand will be the key. There might be some assistance for the spinners too, but the dew factor could go against them. Anything around 150-160 will be the competitive total at this venue with both the captains looking to chase after winning the toss.
Head-To-Head
Top Performers
David Warner: The Australian batting veteran averages 56.88 against Sri Lanka while strikes at 138.75. He is coming off an excellent IPL season, where he amassed 432 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of over 150. He will look to emulate the same performance and get the team to a winning start.
Mitchell Marsh: The mighty Australian has played some impactful knocks for his franchise in the Indian Premier League. He scored 251 runs in 8 innings at a strike rate of 132.80. He will be yet another key player for the Aussies and is expected to deliver well in this series.
Pathum Nissanka: The young Sri Lankan has made a terrific start to his career and will look to carry on the same momentum in this series. The last time Sri Lanka toured Australia, he emerged as the leading run-scorer for Sri Lanka in the T20I series with 184 runs in 5 matches.
Wanindu Hasaranga: The Sri Lanka leg-spinner has been the talk of the town for his wicket-taking abilities. He was the leading wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup 2021 and was the second-highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded IPL season with 26 wickets in 16 matches. He is likely to play an imperative role in this game as well.
Josh Hazlewood: The Australian pacer had an exceptional season with the ball for RCB this year, scalping 20 wickets in 12 matches. Earlier in February, in a series against Sri Lanka, he emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the 3-Match T20I series, picking up 8 wickets in 3 matches.
Squads
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lahiru Madushanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lakshan Sandakan
Probable Playing XI
Australia (Announced): Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (Wk), Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood
Sri Lanka: Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha
CREX XI Suggestion
Wicket-Keeper: Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Kusal Mendis
Batters: David Warner, Mitchell Marsh (c), Pathum Nissanka
All-Rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ashton Agar
Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Kane Richardson, Maheesh Theekshana
Captain: Mitchell Marsh
Vice-Captain: Wanindu Hasaranga