Follow UsWith an emphatic 10-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the first T20I, Australia started their road to the title defence in a commanding fashion. The two sides will lock horns in the second game at the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, on Wednesday, June 8, with the home team battling for survival.
Sri Lanka were dismal with the bat and were bundled out for 128 runs in the first innings courtesy of a four-wicket haul from Josh Hazlewood. With half-centuries from Aaron Finch and David Warner, the world champions registered a comprehensive win to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.
Ground details
In T20I since 2019, the average first innings total at the R.Premadasa Stadium is around the 127-run mark and the average winning total batting first is 164 runs. Out of the 73 wickets, the pacers have scalped 30 wickets, which is around 45.2 percent of the scalps at the venue, compared to 43 wickets, which is 54.8 percent. Over the years, the spinners have been more effective at this venue and picked 2.9 wickets on an average every innings compared to 2.4 by the pacers.
Suggested team
While you could go for the above team, you also have the option of choosing your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
Captain and vice-captain suggestions:
For Small league: David Warner (Captain), Wanindu Hasaranga (Vice-captain)
For Grand League: Josh Hazlewood (Captain), Aaron Finch (Vice-captain)
Stats that matter
In the last five matches, Aaron Finch has been the leading run-scorer for the side, with 161 runs at an average of 40.25. The right-handed batter smashed an unbeaten 61 off 40 deliveries in the first T20I and will be the key player for them in this crucial encounter.
In T20Is since 2021, Wanindu Hasaranga has been the leading wicket-taker with 41 wickets in 23 innings at a strike rate of 12.7 and an economy rate of 5.9 runs per over. On pitches conducive for spinners, the leg spinner will be the trump card for Dasun Shanaka in the middle overs.
With 226 runs in eight innings, David Warner is the second-Australian player to score the most runs at this venue. The southpaw was also the player of the tournament in the T20 World Cup in 2021, and in his first international game since his heroics in the mega event, he smashed an unbeaten 70.
In T20Is since 2021, Hazlewood has scalped 35 wickets in 19 innings at a strike rate of 12.1 and an economy rate of 6.5. The right-arm pacer is third in the list of most wickets scalped by a pacer and started the series with a four-wicket haul in the first outing.
Grand League punts
In T20Is since 2020, Aaron Finch has scored 509 runs at a strike rate of 126 in the first six overs, which is the second-best among batters with a minimum of 500 runs in that phase.
Dushmantha Chameera has picked up 10 wickets at this venue, which is the second-most behind Wanindu Hasaranga in the current Sri Lankan bowling set-up.
In T20Is since 2020, Hazlewood has scalped 19 wickets in the powerplay, which is the most by any bowler in that phase.
Predicted XIs
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwam Tushara.
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood, Steven Smith.