FANTASY
Follow UsIn a nail-biting clash at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Australia edged past Sri Lanka in the second T20I to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The second game was a low-scoring thriller as Sri Lanka managed to score only 124 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their quota of 20 overs. In pursuit of the modest total, the visiting side lost wickets at regular intervals and lost half their side with only 80 runs on the board.
However, a crucial knock of an unbeaten 26 from Matthew Wade helped them get over the line with three wickets to spare and clinch the series. After a disappointing outing in the first two encounters, Sri Lanka will aim to bounce back in the final game of the T20I series on Saturday, June 11, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.
Ground details
In the 44 innings played at this venue in T20Is, the average first innings total is around the 170-run mark, and the average winning total for the team batting first is 182 runs.
Out of the 243 wickets fallen at this venue, the pacers have scalped 150 wickets, which is 61.7 percent of the wickets, compared to 93 wickets, which is 38.3 percent of the scalps. On average, the pacers have picked 3.4 wickets per innings compared to 2.2 by the spinners.
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: Josh Hazlewood (Captain), Wanindu Hasaranga (Vice-captain)
For Grand League: Glenn Maxwell (Captain), Charith Asalanka (Vice-captain)
Stats that matter
In T20Is since 2021, Josh Hazlewood has scalped 18 wickets in the powerplay, which is the joint-most by a bowler along with Dinesh Nakrani in that phase.
The leading run-scorer in the series, David Warner, will be the key player for Australia in the final game and has scored 97 runs at this venue in the three innings he has played thus far, which is the second-most by an Australian batter.
In T20Is since 2021, Wanindu Hasaranga has scalped 24 wickets, which is the second-most wickets in the middle overs and conceded at an economy rate of 5.8 runs per over.
In 2016, when Australia faced Sri Lanka at this venue, Glenn Maxwell opened the batting for the visiting side and smashed an unbeaten 145 off 65 deliveries to power an emphatic 85-run win, which is still the highest individual score in Kandy.
Grand League punts
While Maxwell has not set the stage on fire in the two matches played thus far, he will have fond memories of playing at this ground and will be the key player for Australia in the middle overs.
One of the most destructive batters in the Sri Lankan batting unit, Charith Asalanka, was the only bright spot for the home team in their defeat in the second game. The southpaw scored 39 off 33 deliveries and will be the vital cog in the batting unit of the hosts.
In the five innings Asalanka has played at this venue, he scored 128 runs in five innings at an average of 42.67, which is the second-most for him across all the venues in Sri Lanka.
Predicted XI
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwam Tushara
Australia: Aaron Finch (Captain), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood, Steven Smith
