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Sri Lanka vs Australia, 4th ODI: Visitors eye unassailable series lead

Both the teams will try hard against the other in Dambulla, which will be hosting its second match in the series consecutively.

George Bailey has been Australia's consistent performer with the bat and a big knock by him looks round the corner © AFP
George Bailey has been Australia’s consistent performer with the bat and a big knock looks round the corner © AFP

Sri Lanka and Australia take on each other in the fourth One-Day International (ODI) of the five-match bilateral series. The contest will be played at Dambulla. The series is currently in Australia’s favour leading 2-1, and this makes it a do-or-die game for the hosts to keep the series alive before heading into the series finale. Australia will like to seal the series after a horrendous performance in Tests and regain their pride. The momentum is in their hands with a lead, but both their wins have come after toiling hard against Sri Lanka’s spinners, an aspect that keeps the series alive and shows that the Lankan Lions are not far behind too. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: SRI LANKA vs AUSTRALIA, 4th ODI, DAMBULLA

Australian batsmen need to emulate their bowlers’ performance

Australia’s batting unit outrageously struggled throughout the tour. David Warner, the stand-in captain in absence of regular skipper Steven Smith, has failed as well (judging by his standards). On the other hand, Finch scored a classy half-century in the first ODI and got a start in the last match as well, but failed to convert it into a big score. If either of them stays for long at the crease, Sri Lanka may face trouble.

Shaun Marsh is out of the remainder of the tour with a broken finger and Usman Khawaja has been named his replacement. Khawaja has played in Tests, but did not contribute significantly. Now will be a good time for him to stand up and seal the series for his side. George Bailey has been in ominous touch, since January 2016, and is likely to make merry of his good form. He was their highest run-scorer in the last match at Dambulla, and will be confident facing the same attack on the same turf. Travis Head and Matthew Wade played a vital part in Australia’s nail-biting win that has given a much needed boost to their middle-order.

In the bowling department, Mitchell Starc has been their star right from the first match of the tour. In fact, he has always been among wickets. Though Josh Hazlewood was dropped in the first ODI, he played in the last one and will be yet again drafted in the starting XI. John Hastings was their third seamer at Dambulla and performed well. Australia have been short of a third seamer, and he did show good signs in the last game. READ: SL vs AUS, 3rd ODI Highlights: Chandimal’s ton, Bailey’s resilience and tight finish in Dilshan’s farewell

In the spin department, Adam Zampa has taken care of the role single-handedly. He looks eager to be given the ball by the skipper and wants to contribute. James Faulkner is another valid option with the visitors. He also took a hat-trick in the first ODI and was again among wickets.

In short, Australia have a strong team on paper, and with a lead in the series, they will be eager to turn the tides after a disappointing outing in whites.

Sri Lanka’s over-dependence on middle-order and spinners hurting them

The hosts have had no good partnerships in the top order in the entire series against Australia. This has been mainly due to Starc, who has been remarkable in the slow pitches of Sri Lanka. Angelo Mathews has stated time and again that they need to respect a bowler like Starc who is in good form, but also need to find a way to see him off without throwing the momentum. Sadly, till now they have not succeeded against Starc. Danushka Gunathilaka has been a consistent victim of Starc in his early spells, and the home team also have a new concern as to who would open the innings after the Dilshan’s departure. ALSO READ: Sri Lanka vs Australia 3rd ODI Video highlights

Kusal Perera might open the innings being an opener, but he has also not looked comfortable against Starc. Kusal Mendis is another option to open the innings as he has attacked the Australians with ease. Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal and Mendis are their dependent players but the likes of Thisara Perera and Dhananjaya de Silva will have to stand up. Their main worry is that their top or lower order have not shown resistance and only the middle order have bailed them out.

In their bowling department, Sri Lanka have bowlers done well, as they restricted the Australians in almost every match. Their spinners are riding high on confidence after the success achieved in Tests and have been their regular wicket-takers. This is a reason why the team’s think tank has stuck with four spinners such as Dilruwan Perera, Amila Aponso, Dhananjaya de Silva and Seekkuge Prasanna.

While Perera and Aponso took two wickets each in the last encounter, de Silva and Prasanna grabbed one wicket apiece. The formers started the downfall of the Australians in their chase of 227, whereas de Silva and Prasanna’s late breakthroughs caused some hiccups in the visitors’ chase towards the end. If Sri Lanka’s batting comes up good in the last two matches, there is no reason why they may not stage a fightback in the series. Their spinners have shown they are not shy in taking responsibilities bowling second and causing enough damage to the Australians in their two wins.

Another close match looks possible, which may also decide the fate of the series. Nonetheless, both the teams will try hard against the other in Dambulla, which will be hosting its second match in the series consecutively.

(Aditya Sahay is a journalist with CricketCountry who is completely into sports and loves writing about cricket in general. He can be followed on Twitter at adisahay7)

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