Published: Sep 06, 2016, 08:30 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 06, 2016, 11:35 PM (IST)
After getting knocked down in the five-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia, Sri Lanka are all set to hosts the visitors’ for first Twenty20 International (T20I) of two-match series in Pallekele on Tuesday. Sri Lanka won the Test series but were unable to carry forward momentum in the ODIs. Before entering the series, Sri Lanka missed out on their ace bowler Nuwan Pradeep and now with the absence of their skipper and all-rounder Angelo Mathews due to calf-injury, it has lead to further downfall. Some respite for Sri Lanka among this chaos will be the return of Tillakaratne Dilshan for his final T20I series. At the moment both teams have stand-in captains, Dinesh Chandimal and David Warner. Full Cricket Scorecard, Sri Lanka Vs Australia, 1st T20I match
Sri Lanka’s batting needs the boost: Sri Lanka were a dominant force in limited-overs circuit until experienced players like Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara continued their stellar performance. Soon after the retirement of these greats and injury-struck Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka’s performance has not been at its best.
The batting of hosts this season has been topsy-turvy. What was pleasing to the sight in the final ODI was the opening stand between the openers Dhananjaya de Silva and Danushka Gunathilaka, who is benched out for the series, that set the base for the other batsmen, but ultimately gave away the wickets in a jiffy and hence losing the momentum. Once again the batting failed to stand out without their heroes Dilshan, Mathews and Thisara Perera. Sri Lanka have not had a great year with regards to T20 cricket, be it their series against India, Asia Cup T20 2016 and ICC T20 World Cup 2016. Under new leadership, Chandimal, Sri Lanka will aim to find the missing spark.
Gunathilaka’s poor form has kept him away from the T20 series. Meanwhile, de Silva might find permanent spot which is the opening slot after his performance in final ODI and his half-century in the fourth. Kusal Mendis will be at the spotlight as he has amassed 174 runs in this five-match ODI series and will be expected to go all guns blazing in the T20Is as well. Kusal Perera will also be under the spot to bring his A game ahead if they want to end this series on positive note. ALSO READ: Root, Sarfraz, Bailey rise in ICC ODI Player Rankings
Chandimal has already been the highest run-scorer in the ODI series with a tally of 236 runs and he will want to continue his good run, apart from his leadership skills under surveillance. Hopes were high when Dasun Shanaka was included for the final ODI knowing he can be handy with 20-30 runs. Chamara Kapugedara has also been recalled for the T20 series. His debut in ODI and Test turned out to be fruitful as he achieved his maiden fifty in both. He has not been at his best in the T20 series as he could only a score a total of 54 in Asia Cup T20 2016 and tally of 102 in ICC T20 World Cup 2016. If there will be focus on any batsman this T20 series, it will be Dilshan.
Sri Lanka will be waiting to witness the typical ‘Dilscoop’ from the veteran. His cheeky shot of flicking the ball on one knee is typically what the hosts will be awaiting. Thisara Perera is also a hard-hitter and can easily pass the ball over the ropes in T20 cricket. He can pave the way in the lower middle-order and that’s why he finds his way in the T20 squad. Sachith Pathirana has also been useful be it his score of 24 in the fourth ODI or 32 in the final one.
Sri Lanka were racing towards the 250-run mark, but were unable to do so against Australia’s starry side when they were approaching the finishing line. This time around Australia have the best T20 players ahead. Both the teams are sailing in the same boat as they are yet to taste the success of T20 cricket this year. Keeping that in mind, Sri Lanka will want to keep their best foot forward. ALSO READ: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st T20I: Tillakaratne Dilshan ready for final swansong
Bowlers will need to continue their undying spirit: Chandimal has plethora of bowlers under his ploy. With the inclusion of Pathirana, Siriwardana, Seekkuge Prasanna, Dilshan and de Silva, the spin department gets heavy. As for the seamers, it depends on recalled Kasun Ranjith, who debuted in the bilateral series against India and also took 3 for 29 in Pune. The next game was not his best as he went wicketless and conceded too many runs.
Thisara will be the back up for seamers and will be expected to repeat the second ODI stance in the T20 as well. His all-round skills will come into play for this series. Shanaka has not got any wickets with his return in the ODI squad. This time around he will have to go all out to rattle Australia batting.
Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-takers in ODI series Amila Aponso and Dilruwan Perera found no spot in T20 squad. This could be a drawback for the islanders. Pathirana who took three wickets in the fourth ODI will be expected to pull up his sleeves in T20 cricket to seal his spot in squad permanently. Knowing this is final series for Dilshan, he will want to end it with a bang. He will want to bring down the curtains not only with the bat but with the ball as well.
Out of the total 11 matches played in Pallekele, the T20 records favour Sri Lanka with seven wins. Out of these seven wins, two came against Australia in 2011 with margin of 35 and 8 runs respectively. Knowing the history of this ground, Sri Lanka will want to continue dominance against Australia at Pallekele and follow the winning path. ALSO READ: SL vs AUS: Warner breathes ‘sigh of relief’ after century in final ODI
As for the ICC T20 rankings, Sri Lanka are placed at eighth spot knowing they have struggled in the past and will want to improve their position after crashing out in group stages in all the major tournaments this year. Meanwhile, Australia have put back their nightmarish Test series aside and have strengthened their side under new skipper Warner. Sri Lanka have made a whole lot of changes and Chandimal will want to shake off the ODI failure and get better with the T20 series. In contrast, Australia gaining success under their new captain will hope to ride on the ODI success and better their T20 game as well.
