Sri Lanka vs Australia 2016, 5th ODI, Preview and Prediction: Hosts aim to end on positive note

SL vs AUS 2016, 5th ODI, Preview and Prediction: Hosts aim to end on positive note

Hosts Sri Lanka will face Australia for the final time in the series in fifth One-Day International at Pallekele on Sunday September 4 (ODI). Sri Lanka having already lost the series in the fourth ODI at Dambulla when Australia defeated hosts comprehensively to clinch the series by 3-1 one match before the series ended. Australia has played like true world champions as they knocked their way back into the ODI series after the horrific performance in Test series where they had to undergo white-wash. Keeping this momentum ahead they will look to encash on the last ODI to complete a dominating series win which should work as a sweet revenge for them.  Full Cricket Scorecard: Sri Lanka vs Australia, 5th ODI at Pallekele

On the other hand, Sri Lanka has been terrible with both bat and ball. After a record-breaking performance in the Test series, their performance in ODI series has been disastrous compared to the former. Their batting order have not performed in both Tests and ODI’s. On the contrary their spin bowling attack have put them on forefront so far in the tournament. Such horrid performance was not expected from the hosts maily in batting department as many thought they would carry on the momentum in the ODI’s of what they gained from Tests. But fortunes turned upside down for them as they went on putting in gruesome show. ALSO READ: Sri Lanka vs Australia: ODI series expose hosts’ lack of batting depth

Many had expected Australia to bounce back in ODI’s as they are the current World Champions. Their team looked much stronger on paper, keeping true to the expectations they have performed brilliantly. Mitchell Starc has been the dark horse for the visitors as he has managed to take wickets at crunch situations and put the pressure on hosts since the very first over of the match. Starc has been successful in getting a wicket in the very first over of all the matches in the series so far.

Sri Lanka has had their batting woes to top the list in the series. Their batting scorecard has been poor and it has always been one of the lots to act as a savior for them. They have lacked good openers which has been their main concern. They have failed to keep their wickets intact, losing wickets at regular intervals after the early opening debacles.

With Tillakaratne Dilshan retiring from ODI”s they lost a dependable opener which cost them a big deal. Dinesh Chandimal has been the only batsman who has performed consistently throughout the series. He could not keep his magical touch in the 4 th ODI, but he is the only batsman on whose luck the team has rode so far. Dhananjaya de Silva who opened the innings in the previous ODI performed good under pressure but eventually sufficed as he threw his wicket in an irresponsible manner.

Sri Lanka has managed to post targets of 220-230 runs for Australia which is a serious issue for them. They haven’t been able to play full 5o overs in previous two ODI’s. They did show signs of a good comeback in the second ODI where they posted a target of 282 which Australia could never get to but irrespective of this match, they just have flopped when it comes to their batting. Whereas, the bowling line-up, too, is very predictable with Sri Lanka relying on spinners in conditions that suit them, but the lack of a lethal fast-bowler is hurting them.

Angelo Mathews, the Sri Lankan skipper was the talking point in the second and fourth ODI. He was the Man of the Match in the second as he displayed an all-round performance helping his team get a win. He was the talking point again in the fourth ODI as he went back limping into the dressing room due to a calf-muscle injury. After walking back to the dressing room as retired-hurt, he came in to bat for his team as he helped them to post a modest yet no challenging total, but that was the last of him in this series as his injury aggravated and ruled him out of the series.

So when Sri Lanka come out to play the fifth ODI at Pallekele, they will be without their skipper Mathews, all rounder Thisara Perera and spinner Lakshan Sandakan who have been released from the squad. Batsman Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella and pacer Dasun Shanaka have been called in as their replacements while Mathews’s replacement will be Upul Tharanga. Sri Lanka is yet to name their skipper as off yet but it is very likely that Dinesh Chandimal will be the one at the helm.

The only reason why Australia has done well in the ODI series against Sri Lanka is the fact that their middle-order has stood up. Veteran batsman George Bailey has been among runs, but the revelation of sorts for Australia on this tour has been their wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade. The left-handed 28-year-old Wade is currently the highest run-scorer for Australia on this tour, and the Tasmanian cricketer would want to consolidate his place further with good results in the remainder of the series. Only one Sri Lankan bowler, Amila Aponso, has been able to make some difference for his side and Australia will want things to remain as it is.

Overall, Australia will look to carry on their positive form in last ODI as well. They would look to extend their lead in the series and seal a 4-1 series win over Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. This is the third consecutive bilateral series win for Australia in Sri Lanka, following wins in 2003/04 and 2011. Sri Lanka on the other hand have their pride at stakes as a 1-4 series loss would look terrible after a stellar show in Test series. But given the way things have turned out for both sides, Australia look quite certain to win this match. Sri Lanka will have to pull off some magical performance if they want to win the last ODI.

Lot rides over the young Sri Lankan team as to how they react to the tight spot situation they are in!

Teams:

Australia: David Warner(c), George Bailey, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade(w), Adam Zampa, John Hastings, Scott Boland

Sri Lanka: Danushka Gunathilaka, Dasun Shanaka, Dinesh Chandimal(w/c), Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Amila Aponso, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Perera, Avishka Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella, Seekkuge Prasanna, Upul Tharanga, Milinda Siriwardana, Sachith Pathirana

Time: 14:30 PM IST; GMT: 9:00 AM

(Rohan A. Sawant is reporter for CricketCountry. He loves Football, Cricket and is a die-hard Arsenal fan. He is an avid writer and has some knowledge about cricket and so he is trying his best to pour with his Laptop as he finds writing with pen and paper very clumsy. You can follow him on Twitter @iswandering)