With an aim to continue their undefeated run in the ongoing T20I series, mighty Australia will take on Sri Lanka in the 3rd and final T20I of the series on Saturday (June 11) at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Australia has already sealed the three-match series with a win on Wednesday (June 8), which provided the Aaron Finch-led side with an unassailable lead of 2-0. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will look to register a win in the third match to salvage some pride.
The first match of the series was one-sided as Australia outplayed the hosts in both departments, handing them a ten wickets defeat. In the second match, the Sri Lankan bowlers did show some resistance as they managed to take the game deep, bagging seven wickets. However, it wasn't enough to put brakes on the Australian juggernaut as they chased down the target of 125 runs in 17.5 overs.
Given Australia's dominance in this format and Sri Lanka's desire to win the final match of the series to avoid a clean sweep, a cracking contest beckons at Pallekele.
Match Details
Match: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 3rd T20I
Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele, Sri Lanka
Date & Time: June 11 at 7:00 PM IST
Live Streaming: Sony Six and Sony LIV app
Pitch Report
The pitch will likely offer enough support to the batters in the initial phase of the match. However, it will become slow as the game progresses. The team winning the toss might look to bat first.
Pitch Stats
Matches Played: 22
Matches Won Batting First: 12
Matches Won Bowling First: 7
Average 1st Inns scores: 167
Average 2nd Inns scores: 148
Highest total recorded: 263/3 (20 Overs) by AUS vs SL
Lowest total recorded: 88/10 (16 Overs) by NZ vs SL
Highest score chased: 178/2 (18.4 Overs) by PAK vs BAN
Lowest score defended: 125/8 (20 Overs) by SL vs NZ
Head-To-Head
Australia and Sri Lanka have played a total of 24 T20I matches against each other thus far, where the former holds a considerable advantage over Sri Lanka, with 15 wins. The 'Island nation', on the other hand, has only won nine of the 24 games.
Injury Update/Players' Availability
Australia: Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc was ruled out of the remaining T20I series due to a finger injury he sustained in the opening match. Jhye Richardson replaced him in the second T20I and lived up to the expectation, picking three wickets in his quota of 4 overs. Australia is expected to keep him in the combination in the final match.
Sri Lanka: They are expected to play with an unchanged playing XI.
Squads
Sri Lanka: Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa(WK), Dasun Shanaka(C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, Praveen Jayawickrama, Nuwanidu Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara
Australia: Aaron Finch(C), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade(WK), Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Swepson, Josh Inglis
Probable Playing XI
Sri Lanka: Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara
Australia: Aaron Finch (C), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood
CREX XI Suggestion
Wicket-Keeper: Kusal Mendis
Batters: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Mitchell Marsh, Danushka Gunathilaka
All-Rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Wanindu Hasaranga, Charith Asalanka
Bowlers: Josh Hazelwood, Dushmantha Chameera, Jhye Richardson
Captain: David Warner
Vice-Captain: Wanindu Hasaranga