AUS VS SL SERIES PREVIEW
Follow UsSri Lanka are in turmoil, facing one of their worst economic crises in several decades. The entire nation is in a rut: politically and economically, with plenty of violence all over the country. It has even led to the nation voicing out their opinion against the current government, Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Earlier, reports even stated that Cricket Australia (CA), denied Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC)’s request to play the Test series prior to the limited-overs series, given the shortage of fuel in Galle. It has set the wrong precedent to the series, with chances of bad blood even before the first ball is bowled.
Playing cricket in a country that has been deeply inflicted with issues seems morally wrong. But the international cricketing schedule is such that this series plays a huge role for the World Test Championship cycle. And the series kicks off with the three-match T20I series, starting Tuesday (June 7).
The return of Bhanuka Rajapaksa
Owing to fitness concerns, Bhanuka Rajapaksa wasn’t picked in the squad for Sri Lanka’s last T20I series against India. While Sri Lanka found a hero in Pathum Nissanka at the top, Charith Asalanka in the middle, and Dasun Shanaka in the lower order, there are several spots to fill in the batting unit.
Rajapaksa offers something very dynamic, explosive, and unique from the rest of the batting unit. While Nissanka provides solidarity at the top, the value of Rajapaksa in the Sri Lankan middle-order might be something that they lacked the last time these two sides met each other. In Australia, the visitors had a strike rate of 118.2 in the series, which reduces to 108.2 in the middle-overs.
The 30-year-old showed his cards and could provide the X-factor for Sri Lanka that he provided for Punjab Kings. His strike rate in the first ten balls at the crease during 2022 IPL was 168.1, with third-best Balls per Boundary (BPB) during the same phase. However, having said all of that, fitting another left-hander in the top order might be a big headache for Sri Lanka.
But in a country where a talent like Bhanuka is rare, Sri Lanka ought to make the fullest use of that resource.
Understanding Steve Smith’s role
One of the reasons why Australia won the T20 World Cup in the Middle East was Mitchell Marsh’s success at No.3. Throughout the tournament, Marsh played five encounters at No.3, scoring 185 runs, and averaging 61.67. While the number part was always going to be there, it was the impact that he provided in that Australian middle-order, which made a lot of difference.
Traditionally, Australia have had an anchor at No.3, which has halted their progress through the middle-overs. However, Marsh changed that by scoring his runs at a strike rate of 146.8, which ultimately led to Australia lifting the trophy. Smith’s only appearance at No.3, was against England, where he scored the one run.
Now with Smith, Australia face a big conundrum. Smith of pre-2020s doesn’t exist anymore and the Smith of post-2020s, where his strike rate of 110.21 isn’t needed anymore. With Josh Inglis settling in well at that middle-order spot, perhaps it is only a matter of time before Smith gets the call.
Will that time be ahead of the series or during the series is something that we will have to wait and watch?
Will we see any of Matheesha Pathirana?
All eyes this series for Sri Lankan fans would be on the spin twin of Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga. The Islander’s pace unit too would be followed closely by all the teams. Dushmantha Chameera showed his class earlier in the IPL, where he was a constant menace in the powerplay. While Chamika Karunaratne did not get a long rope, he too has shown his worth for Sri Lanka earlier in the year.
With Dasun Shanaka too popping off with his bowling, his variations in particular, it begs the question: will we see any of Matheesha Pathirana? Having never been in the national squad prior to the IPL, Pathirana might very well be put into the deep end, starting with the first T20I. But most importantly, the right-arm slingster, showed his potential during his time with the Chennai Super Kings.
Playing just two games during the end stage of the IPL, the slinger, earnt praise from CSK’s skipper, MS Dhoni, who hailed him as an “excellent death bowler”. Since the beginning of the 2021 T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka have given away 9.9 RPO at the death. It is quite possible that Pathirana might be a solution to solve that problem.
Prime opportunity for Mitchell Swepson
No Adam Zampa, no other leg-spinner in contention ultimately makes Mitchell Swepson the first-choice spinner for the tour to Sri Lanka. For the longest time, Swepson has been the under-study to Zampa in the shortest format but whenever given the opportunity, the leg-spinner has picked it gleefully with both hands. While he hasn’t quite lit the Big Bash League up, he has been for many years earmarked as the second-best leg-spinner in the country.
In seven T20Is, Swepson has picked up 11 wickets, averaging just 15.7. His best came against Bangladesh earlier last year, where he had figures of 3/12. Prior to that, he picked up another three-fer against India at home. Australia have a choice to make, either they go with the safer option in Ashton Agar or pick the attacking option in Swepson.
In 43 T20Is, Agar has shown his miserly side, giving away only 6.50 RPO, picking up 46 wickets. Just days prior to the start of the T20 World Cup, Agar was a crucial part of the Australian setup. So, it is a known commodity, in Agar vs the risky option in Swepson.
All of it depends on how many bowling options Australia are looking at. During the T20 World Cup last year, they had just the three specialist pacers and the one spinner. Will they persist with the same combination this time around too?
