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Sri Lanka vs Australia 4th ODI: Likely Xi for David Warner & Co

Australia have a 2-1 lead in the five-match ODI series and will be looking to seal the series win a win today

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Australia have bounced back after a humiliating loss in Test series © AFP
Australia have bounced back after a humiliating loss in Test series © AFP

Australia will be looking to seal the series with a win in 4th ODI. Currently, David Warner has been leading the side as Steven Smith flew back home after a defeat in 2nd ODI. After Sri Lanka stunned Australia in Test series by a record 3-0 whitewash, Australia managed to dominate in the ODI series so far with two wins out of three. Mitchell Starc has been the star performer for Australia despite a spin-friendly pitch. Australian team spoiled Tillakaratne Dilshan’s farewell ODI match. Two of the Australian players had to leave the tour midway after injury including Nathan Coulter-Nile and Shaun Marsh. However, the visitors would like to stay with the winning combination barring Shaun Marsh as he has returned back home.  FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Australia vs Sri Lanka, 4th ODI at Dambulla

Top Order: Australian top order has been inconsistent in the ODI series as two of the top order batsmen have already flew back home. David Warner has not looked in good form throughout the tour. Warner has scored 19 runs in 3 ODIs so far, he needs to lead the team from the front as he is the most experienced batsman in the Australian side by far. Aaron Finch has been influential at the top order with one half-century in series opener and a start he could not convert into a big score in second ODI.

With Smith and Marsh out of the picture. Usman Khawaja will be given a berth in fourth ODI. Warner may slip from opening position to third as Khawaja replaces Marsh. Warner might try to get back his form playing at No. 3 position.

Middle Order: George Bailey has impressed with his batting skills so far. He rescued Australia while chasing in third ODI as he went on to score 70. In the first two ODIs as well he tried to control the situation and pull his side out of danger but could not convert the start into a big score. Travis Head too has got starts in two games but got out leaving the side in danger towards the ending stages of the game. Head has managed to score 77 in three ODIs.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Mathew Wade has impressed everyone with his skills in the middle order. Wade has scored 144 runs in three ODIs so far and got his team out of the danger multiple times. James Faulkner has not impressed with the bat but majestic with the ball taking 9 wickets in total including a hat-trick. He has been the missing link in Australia’s squad.

Lower Order: Australia’s lower order has not performed well in the ODI series. Although, they have been able to finish the game somehow. With Nathan Coulter-Nile out of the picture John Hastings has a sure shot in the squad. Hastings also performed well taking two wickets in the previous ODI. Mitchell Starc has managed to finish the game, he can contribute with the cameo if needed keeping in mind his hard-hitting skills.

Starc has been instrumental with the ball terrorising Sri Lankan bowlers all along the tour. He has taken 8 wickets in the ODI series so far. Josh Hazlewood is expected to retain his position in the side after his performance in the previous ODI, so does Adam Zampa who took 3 wickets in the 3rd ODI.

Likely XI for Australia (batting order):

Usman Khawaja, Aaron Finch, David Warner (c), George Bailey, Travis Head, Mathew Wade (wk), James Faulkner, John Hastings, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

(Arun Rawal, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a daydreamer, movie buff, and cricket fanatic. He could not play cricket, so did the next best thing, writing for it. He loves to play the flick shot over square leg, and believes Sachin Tendulkar is God. His Twitter handle is @ArunRawal93)

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