Published: Sep 09, 2016, 07:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 09, 2016, 09:47 AM (IST)
Sri Lanka and Australia are all set to meet for the final Twenty20 International (T20I) at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday. Glenn Maxwell took the world by storm with his blistering unbeaten 145 in the first T20I and broke many records along the way. In contrast, there was nothing that the islanders could rejoice about. Their batting and bowling were thrashed by Australia’s all-round performance. Australia have gone through enough turbulence in the three-Test series, now they have changed their fortunes around in the limited-overs format. Now that the series win is not possible for the Lankans, they can at least try to level it. Also, Sri Lanka will want to give veteran Tillakaratne Dilshan a fitting farewell. Full Cricket Scorecard: Sri Lanka vs Australia 2nd T20I at Colombo
Australia continued the One-Day International (ODI) momentum in T20I series as well. Despite the absence of their usual leader Steven Smith, Australia have continued to show grit and determination under their stand-in captain David Warner. But if there was anyone who was the architect of 85-run victory in the first T20I, it was Maxwell. Although it might be difficult to repeat the same feat, Australia will leave no stone unturned to be the party spoilers of Dilshan’s farewell. It was not just Maxwell but other supporting partners like Warner, Travis Head and Usman Khawaja, who played their parts with the bat as well.
As for the bowling, the dangerous Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland returned with impressive figures to crush Sri Lanka. Adam Zampa also was at his best with his restrictive leg-spin. Australia will aim to end the tour with clean sweep and recover from their whitewash in Test series. Knowing the success Australia achieved in the first Test, Warner might just stick to the same side for the final clash:
Top-Order: Knowing that Maxwell created a powerful impact at the top, Australia will seal the top spot for him now that Aaron Finch is out due to injury. His comeback has pretty much covered up for Finch’s absence. Although Maxwell is keen to regain his spot in longer formats, there is no better opportunity than ending the series in the right way. ALSO READ: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 2nd T20I: Key battles
Warner played supporting role in first T20I as he added quick fire 16-ball 28 that included 5 fours. With Maxwell grabbing the spotlight, Warner had little to do. This time he will want to end his tenure as captaincy (for now) on a high and also repeat his performance from the final ODI in this match as well.
Khawaja might not have had the best outing in ODI series, but will want to double his score of 36 secured in first T20I. Khawaja is known to create the storm in T20Is, if he can end the final with a flier, he can cover up for all runs missed out in the ODIs.
Middle-Order: Head has done a decent job and knowing how he is one of the top players in domestic T20 tournaments, he can create ruckus in the middle. He almost missed out on scoring his half-century by mere 5 runs and scored 45 off just 18 deliveries in the first T20I. These hard-hitting skills will be useful in the last match.
George Bailey started off his T20I career as captain of the side, though he did not get an opportunity to come out and bat in the first match of this series. He scored tally of 270 runs in ODIs and will want to continue the dream run in T20Is.
Moises Henriques is an all-rounder who comes in next. He was not at his best in the ODIs with just 10 runs in the middle, throughout the series. Although he did not receive a chance to bat, he will aim to better his position in the squad, if he aims to stay permanently in the national side. ALSO READ: SL vs AUS, 1st T20I: Glenn Maxwell pleased with his comeback
Peter Nevill is at No. 7. He has not had a remarkable tour as he was not included for ODIs and as for Tests he managed to score just 16 runs. He did show signs of MS Dhoni behind the stumps but failed to recreate it with the bat in Tests. If he has any occasion to better his score than nothing like the final one. With crunch runs coming from the middle, if the top-order fails, it all depends on these batsmen to fire.
Lower-Order & Bowling: James Faulkner has shown his skills during Indian Premier League (IPL) with the bat. Though he has done enough with the ball on this tour, he will hope that he shines with the bat when the situation arises. Similarly, Starc can wreck havoc with the ball like he has done so on many occasions. He has also broken records, be it Tests or ODIs. Starc can be handy with the bat as well.
Apart from Starc, Boland excelled with wickets as well as he took 3 wickets to finish off Sri Lanka’s game for 178. Faulkner and Herinques got a wicket apiece as well. Zampa has been equally good on this tour and though he got just a wicket to his name in the first T20I, he was restrictive with his play conceding just 27 runs at the end of his spell.
Sri Lanka are placed eighth in T20I rankings and a series loss could see them lose further ground. As for Australia yet another win will take them above England and place them fifth in T20I rankings. Considering this is last game as captain with Smith taking over the reins here on, Warner will want to end the series on a high. Now that Australia were mocked for their poor batting form in Test series, hosts are paying the price in what can be termed as series whitewash if Australia excel in T20Is as well.
Australia will be expected to pose threat to hosts with their all-round performance, unless Sri Lanka decide to take the matter on their hands and end the game on perfect note for Dilshan, for one final time.
Australia’s Likely XI: David Warner (c), Glenn Maxwell, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Goerge Bailey, Moises Henriques, Peter Nevill (wk), James Faulkner, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Adam Zampa.
