Oozing with confidence, Sri Lanka look for second win
Series levelled at 1-1 and Sri Lanka would only hope nothing but another win
Hosts Sri Lanka will definitely come out as a confident lot at the third ODI against Australia at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo today, after pulling off a stunning 26-run win in the second game. The emphatic win, which came in the absence of star allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who is likely to miss the rest of the series on medical advice, would put an extra bit of courage, as Australia are having their own woes within the camp.
First and foremost, Australia’s top order hasn’t been that perfect as they were in the T20I series, which was claimed by the visitors 2-1. Adding more woes, is their list of injured players — Steven Smith, Mitchell Marsh Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis and Ashton Agar. Smith who suffered a left quad injury in Thursday’s 26-run loss to Sri Lanka, hasn’t been ruled out of today’s game.
It’s most likely that Cameron Green could come in as a bowling option while Travis Head being promoted up the batting order and Josh Inglis replacing Smith, if he’s not included in the final XI. Other than these concerns Australia could stick to their remaining lineup as it was in the second ODI.
Sri Lanka is likely to go unchanged with plenty of bowling options available. In the absence of Hasaranga, others stepped in to fill in the void, mainly Dhananjaya de Silva, youngster Dunith Wellalage, who both played the perfect roles of allrounders. With paceman Chamika Karunaratne on fire and Dushmantha Chameera maintaining his usual form with the ball, Sri Lanka jelled up to script a stunning victory, that helped the home side level the five-match series 1-1. If the hosts are in thoughts of making a change, it could be Bhanuka Rajapaksa replacing spinner Jeffrey Vandersay.
Today’s game could be crucial for both sides, with three matches to go before the completion of the ODI series. The first ODI was a cakewalk for the Australians, who recorded a comfortable 2-wicket win riding on the shoulders of allrounder Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 80. But with three changes made for the second game, they could not live up to their expectations, in a low scoring second game. Sri Lanka posted 220-9 after an early collapse, yet managed to bowl out Australia for 189 with 5.5 overs remaining. Both games, played at Pallekele, were interrupted by rain.
It probably won’t be the same at the R. Premadasa ICS today, where the game is likely to be played on a fresh pitch. A stray thunderstorm has been forecasted for afternoon, and the new pitch may not behave as same as at Pallekele, where there was more turn. Yet spinners will play a major part in today’s game.
This could be Australia’s chance to regroup and regain the lead of the series, but with the outcome of the second game last Thursday, Sri Lanka too has the edge to create another upset.
Australia, had won the previous ODI series played in 2004, 2011 and 2016 and have scored above 250 plus runs only once at Colombo in their 17 outings here.
Sri Lanka is yet to win a bilateral ODI series against Australia and this could be their rare opportunity to record a maiden series win under Dasun Shanaka.
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