We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report
The average first and second innings scores read 285 and 215 respectively, in the three-ODI series at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium earlier this year. Although the highest wicket-taker was a spinner, the bulk of the wickets were taken by the pacers.
Teams
Probable XI for Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis/Bhanuka Rajapaksa (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nuwan Thushara/Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana
Probable XI for Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Travis Head/Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis/Travis Head, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Swepson/Ashton Agar
Power Players
Josh Hazlewood’s ODI numbers make an excellent reading. In 56 matches, he has captured as many as 93 wickets with an economy of 4.7. In his last 10 competitive games, he has taken 16 wickets in 10 games.
By his standards, Wanindu Hasaranga’s numbers in the ODIs are ordinary: 29 wickets at an average of 38 in 29 games. However, his recent performances—26 wickets in the Indian T20 League and 5 wickets in the T20I series last week—make him a top pick in fantasy cricket.
David Warner played with absolute conviction and aggression in T20Is, scoring 70*, 21, and 39. Against Sri Lanka in ODIs, he has managed 624 runs including three fifties and a hundred.
Smart Picks
Dasun Shanaka smoked 54 off 25 including 5 fours and 4 sixes in the final T20I. He has been in top-class form with the bat in 2022. He registered his maiden international hundred against Zimbabwe earlier this year.
During the ODI series in Pakistan, Travis Head was in a splendid touch. He scored a century and a fifty in three innings. To make things interesting, he scored 110 in a List A game against Sri Lanka ahead of the series.
In his last three ODIs, Jeffrey Vandersay took 9 wickets. Australia will have to be mindful of his wily leg-spin.
In his last 10 ODI innings, Steven Smith scored 3 hundreds and as many fifties. Against Sri Lanka in the format, he averages 38.
Charith Asalanka was impressive with the bat in all three games (38, 39, and 26). Above all, in a mere 11 ODIs, he has managed 472 runs at an average of 42, scoring 5 half-centuries.
Glenn Maxwell’s last three ODI scores against Sri Lanka read 32, 102, and 46*. Although he could not make significant contributions with the bat in the T20I series, he was effective with his off-spin. He will play a key role with his dual skills.
Pathum Nissanka has scored 2 fifties in his last 3 ODIs. He likes taking time – an aspect quite helpful for an opener in the 50-over format. The onus of building a strong foundation will be on him.
Match Preview
Sri Lanka have won the last two ODI series, against South Africa and Zimbabwe. On the other hand, Australia lost to Pakistan 1-2 two months ago. Although Sri Lanka have the talent to upset the tourists, they lack the experience and will need the mental resilience to pull off an improbable.
Time: June 14, 2:30 PM IST