Australia vs Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I at Adelaide: Likely XI for both teams

Sri Lanka will eye a historic clean-sweep over the second-string Australian side in a three-match series, when the two teams clash in the third and final T20I at the Adelaide Oval. Sri Lanka have taken an unassailable lead in the three-match series by 2-0, having won two thrilling games against the hosts who are without their preferred XI. Australia have paid the price of playing some ordinary cricket in a series when those on the benches had a perfect opportunity to make big statements. The defeat at Geelong has extended Sri Lanka’s domination over Australia by 5-0 in T20I cricket Down Under, and the hosts are presented with an opportunity to dig deep and end their horrible run. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Australia vs Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I at Adelaide

However, in order to achieve that, Australia will not only have to get their A game forward but also rectify their team to figure out if there was anything wrong with their selections. A glance at the mere scorecard will tell the story of Australian batsmen failing to hit boundaries on a regular basis, and the tourists by plundering a lot of those. Australia will be looking forward to watch more of Ben Dunk in the middle, who struck a 14-ball 32 with 3 sixes and as many boundaries to power Australia in the middle overs. On the other hand, unless there is a forced change, Sri Lanka will not want to tinker with their playing XI and will aim to create history.

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Top order: Both teams will not want to make many changes at the top, but Australia can try promoting Ben Dunk up in the order in a game where they do not have anything to lose. Dunk looked in terrific form in the previous game after missing the first contest. On the other hand, Michael Klinger has made runs but has not got the boundaries as much as Australia would like. Aaron Finch, too, got the starts but failed to make most of the opportunities so far and suffered his fourth consecutive defeat as the stand-in captain.

Sri Lanka are not likely to change their batting order. But if they end up batting first, it will be beneficial for them to promote their star batsman Asela Gunaratne up the order. Upul Tharanga has had two forgettable outings. He would not mind dropping down the order to accommodate an in-form batsman at the top. Niroshan Dickwella and Dilshan Munaweera got crucial runs in the first game, but they had an ordinary run in the second. In spite of that, they will continue to occupy the top slots. AUS vs SL, 2nd T20I: Gunaratne’s heroics, Kulasekara’s 4-for, and other highlights

Middle order: Travis Head is among the in-form batsmen that Australia have, but the eyes will also be on Moises Henriques who struck a crucial half-century in the second game that pushed Australia’s total to 173. Head has had two bad games. Keeping in mind the form he has been in, a big innings can be expected from him. James Faulkner’s exploits with the bat is something that he is admired for, but consistency is an issue.

For Sri Lanka, if not in the top, Gunaratne should at least bat at No. 4. T20 cricket does not allow those who bat lower in the other to face a lot of deliveries, but promoting the best batsmen in form will never be a bad idea. Similarly, Chamara Kapugedara has played two innings of significance so far on this tour, and can also be sent up in the order. AUS vs SL, 2nd T20I: Asela Gunaratne’s late blitz seals series 2-0 for hosts

Lower order: Australia cannot pick uncapped bowlers and expect better returns. Thus, those who have been presented with the opportunity to make it count will have to change gears. The hosts’ bowlers are guilty of sending down too many ‘boundary balls’. They have paid a heavy price for that. The absence of a quality spinner has been one of the detrimental aspects. The hosts will have to make up with whatever resources they have at their disposal.

Sri Lanka have done an excellent job so far with their slow bowlers, not allowing Australian batsmen to free up their arms. In both the games, the common factor has been Sri Lanka’s ability to not give Australian batsmen bad deliveries that are meant to be put away. This will remain as one of their potent weapons.

Unless hard-pressed for any specific department or there is an injury, both the teams are likely to retain their playing XIs.

Likely playing XIs:

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Michael Klinger, Ben Dunk, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Ashton Turner, Tim Paine (wk), James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson.

Sri Lanka: Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Upul Tharanga (c), Dilshan Munaweera, Kusal Mendis, Asela Gunaratne, Milinda Siriwardana, Chamara Kapugedera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Vikum Sanjaya.