Australia vs Sri Lanka World Cup Match 22 Predictions, Odds, Picks

• Sri Lanka have won four matches on the bounce in this competition.
• In the last three matches, which includes two warm-up games, Australia’s opening pair of Aaron Finch and David Warner has scored a total of 10 runs.
• The Warner-Finch duo will be faced with a tough task against Sri Lanka’s bowling department, as the Lankans have picked up 12 wickets in the powerplay overs of their last four matches.

Australia vs Sri Lanka Odds

Odds for this Australia vs Sri Lanka match taken from BetMGM

In terms of the head-to-head records, there is absolutely nothing to separate these two teams. Both Australia and Sri Lanka have got the better of one other on eight occasions. However, recent results are heavily inclined in Australia’s favor, as the Men in Yellow have won their last four fixtures against the Lions. These statistics, coupled with their winning start to their T20 World Cup 2021 campaign, make Australia the favourites for this clash.

Australia to Win (-250)

Predicted XI

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner/Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Akila Dananjaya/Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Lahiru Kumara

Australia’s Bowling Unit Looks Intimidating, but the Lankans Are Ready for Every Challenge

Sri Lanka and Australia, the two teams who will clash in this fixture, will be full of confidence, as they have had the perfect start to their ICC T20 World Cup 2021 campaign. After winning their three first-round games quite comfortably, Sri Lanka met Bangladesh in their first match of Super 12.

Despite conceding 171 runs, the Lankans managed to chase the target down in 18.5 overs, thanks to a brilliant batting display from Charith Asalanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Australia started their campaign with a 5-wicket win over South Africa. Bowling first, they managed to restrict the Proteas to a low score of 118, as every single bowler did what was expected of them, while some exceeded expectations. They did look a bit shaky in the run chase, but Marcus Stoinis and Steve Smith’s knocks managed to get them over the line.

Team News

After missing the first match against Bangladesh due to a side strain, promising mystery spinner Mahesh Theekshana is likely to miss this match as well. Left-arm pacer Binura Fernando, who slotted in as Theekshana’s replacement, picked up the wicket of Mohammad Naim in the last match, and he is likely to retain his place. Dushmantha Chameera was taken to the cleaners by the Bangladeshi batters, and given that the Aussies are not particularly good players of spin, Sri Lanka can include Akila Dananjaya in the playing XI for this match.

Having started off with a victory, Australia are unlikely to make any changes to their playing XI for this match. However, David Warner is going through a rough phase, and Australia have a talented batter in Josh Inglis, who could be the perfect replacement. Inglis played some sensational knocks for Perth Scorchers in the last season of the big Bash League.

Key Players

Steve Smith: Chasing a meager total of 118, Australia found themselves in a spot of bother in the game against South Africa, as they lost their first 3 wickets inside the ninth over, with just 38 runs on the scoreboard. Steve Smith’s knock of 35 runs from 34 deliveries acted as the stabilizer. Smith has looked in good touch here in the United Arab Emirates, as in the two warm-up matches before the first Super 12 fixture, he scored 92 runs.

Wanindu Hasaranga: Wanindu Hasaranga had a rare bad day at the office against Bangladesh, but he has been immensely influential for Sri Lanka in this competition. He has scored 77 runs, and his strike rate of 148.07 is the second-best among Sri Lankan batters. Hasaranga also has picked up 6 wickets.

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