Sri Lanka and Australia will square off against each other in the last ODI of the ongoing series at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on 14th February.
Match Preview:
After losing the Test leg of the series, Sri Lanka finally got to enjoy something as they outclassed Australia in the first ODI of the series. Skipper Charith Asalanka led from the front as he was the lone warrior of the team when they put up a total of 214. Asalanka scored a match-winning knock of 127 runs with the help of 14 boundaries and 5 sixes.
The spin duo of Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage were on song as well and collectively they took six wickets.
So, Sri Lanka will be hoping to end the series on a high note and the duo of Maheesh and Wellalage will be crucial on a slow track of Premadasa. The contribution from Hasaranga and Asitha Fernando will be crucial as well. But to win the next game, Sri Lanka’s batter will have to step-up.
Talking about Australia, the captain Steve Smith wants to lead by example and score some crucial runs, especially after getting out early in the last game.
Alex Carey, who was the top scorer with 41 runs, will be key in keeping the middle order steady. Sean Abbott showed he’s a tough player with both bat and ball, and his contributions will be vital in turning things around.
The fast bowlers, led by Sean Abbott, Nathan Ellis, and Spencer Johnson, did a great job getting early wickets, but they need the spinners to step up too. With Marnus Labuschagne expected to hold the innings together, Australia’s hoping for a stronger batting performance to level the series.
Playing XI:
Sri Lanka’s Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando.
Australia’s Probable XI: Matthew Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cooper Connolly, Steve Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Aaron Hardie, Sean Anthony Abbott, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa.
Pitch and weather report:
The R. Premadasa Stadium is a spinner’s paradise! The pitch is designed to make life tough for batsmen, with sharp turns and unpredictable bounce, especially as the game wears on.
At the start, the pitch is relatively friendly, with a consistent bounce and fewer cracks. But as the match unfolds, the surface starts to deteriorate, developing visible cracks and unpredictable bounce that make scoring a real challenge.
This is when the spinners take center stage! The ball grips the surface and turns sharply, making it tough for batsmen to navigate. Given the low-scoring nature of the last match, the toss will be crucial, and both captains will likely opt to bat first to gain an advantage
Head-to-head record:
Sri Lanka and Australia have faced each other in a total of 105 ODI matches. Out of these, Australia has emerged victorious in 64 encounters, showcasing their historical dominance. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has secured 37 wins against the Aussies.
Additionally, four matches have ended with no result, while none of the games have concluded in a tie.
Prediction:
Given how Sri Lanka performed in the 1st ODI, they are likely to win in the second one as well.
Where to watch:
Pakistan: Tapmad
India: SonyLiv App and website
Others: CricHD
