SL vs AUS | 2nd ODI | Match Preview, Prediction, Probable XI, CREX XI

Sri Lanka and Australia are all set to lock horns against each other in the second ODI on Thursday. The first ODI was undoubtedly a gripping encounter, with Glenn Maxwell’s heroics taking Australia past the finishing line. The visitors chased down a DLS revised score of 282 runs in just 42.3 overs after Sri Lanka put on a fighting total of 300 runs in the first innings.

The chase was nowhere near comfortable for Australia, as they were on the ropes halfway through the second innings. However, Glenn Maxwell scored an unbeaten knock of 80 runs off just 51 balls to hand Australia an early series lead. Apart from Maxwell’s knock, the likes of Steven Smith and Aaron Finch also chipped in with vital runs. Ashton Agar was the pick among the Australian bowlers, limiting the flow of runs through the middle overs. The left-arm spinner also picked up crucial wickets of Pathum Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva.

As for Sri Lanka, they will certainly be let down by how they let the match slip from their grasp. However, they will be uplifted by the fact that they did put on a competitive display against the mighty Aussies. The hosts have plenty of time to make a comeback in the series, given that there are four more ODIs yet to be played. 

The second ODI will be played at the same venue in Pallekele. Australia will look to wrap up the series at the earliest, given that they would prefer testing their bench strength towards the end of the five-match series. David Warner was dismissed for an unusual duck in the first ODI and will be eager to get back among the runs on Thursday.

The Sri Lankan top order was effective against a strong Australian bowling attack. All the top three batters registered scores of above 50, with Kusal Mendis batting through till the end. However, the hosts will be missing the services of Wanindu Hasaranga, who is understood to have suffered a groin injury. This comes as a big blow for Sri Lanka, given his impact on the first ODI. Wanindu Hasaranga ended the innings with a flurry of runs, scoring 37 runs off just 19 balls. The all-rounder was also pivotal among the bowlers, having four scalps to his name in nine overs.

As for Australia, the visitors will be missing Marcus Stoinis and Ashton Agar for the second ODI. The former has been ruled out of the series with a side strain, whereas, Agar is forced to miss the second game owing to the same issue.

Match Details:

Match: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 2nd ODI

Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele

Date & Time: June 16 at 2:30 PM IST

Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network

Pitch Report: The first ODI between the two sides saw over 580 runs being scored in about 90 overs. The wicket is expected to continue favouring the batters, and we could see another high-scoring encounter. However, the spinners should extract more purchase from the wickets.

Head-To-Head:

Matches Played: 99

Australia Won: 62

Sri Lanka Won: 33

Squads:

Australia: Aaron Finch (captain), David Warner, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Swepson, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann 

Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Niroshan Dickwella, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Madushanka, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan

Probable Playing XI:

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Swepson

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage 

CREX XI Suggestion:

Wicket-Keeper: Kusal Mendis

Batters: David Warner, Steven Smith, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka

All-Rounders: Glenn Maxwell

Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne

Captain: David Warner

Vice-Captain: Glenn Maxwell