We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report
Matches played at the venue: 1
1st innings score: 173
2nd innings score: 176
Type: Batting wicket with some help for pacers.
Teams
Probable XI for Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka/Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka
Probable XI for Namibia: Stephan Baard, Zane Green (wk), Divan la Cook, Gerhard Erasmus (c), David Wiese, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz, Tangeni Lungameni, Ben Shikongo
Game Changers
Dasun Shanaka’s form in 2022 has been spectacular. He has blasted 419 runs at an average of 35 and a strike rate of 143, including 2 fifties. With the ball, he has not been active enough, bowling in 7 of 17 games and managing 3 wickets.
In his last 3 T20Is, JJ Smit has picked 8 wickets and has the highest score of 71. Be it with the bat or ball, he has been performing consistently across formats.
Smart Picks
Pathum Nissanka has been Sri Lanka’s most consistent batter since the pandemic. In 29 games, he has added 801 runs. His strike rate may not drop your jaw, but an average of 29 makes him a delight for fantasy players.
Bernard Scholtz’s accurate left-arm orthodox will come in handy in the Australian conditions. Clearing the boundary against him will be an uphill task. He has taken 39 wickets and maintained an excellent economy of 5.8 RPO.
In the only T20I between these teams, Bhanuka Rajapaksa was the captain for a knock of 42* off 27 and Maheesh Theekshana was the vice-captain for figures of 3 for 25 in the Ultimate Team.
While Rajapaksa has been of late winning games for Sri Lanka in the middle overs and was their highest run-scorer in the Asia Cup, Theekshana sets the foundation with economical spells in the powerplay.
The onus of opening the bowling and also hurling yorkers at the death will be on Jan Frylinck. Moreover, he has upped his batting. In Lahore Qalandars’ tour of Namibia, he registered the top score of 52*.
Power Players
Kusal Mendis’ form has peaked at the right time. In his last 10 professional T20s, he has smashed as many as 6 fifties and 2 thirties, making it to the Ultimate Team in 8 games. Talk about numbers!
Wanindu Hasaranga has been one of the top fantasy players in 2022. In a mere 11 T20Is, he has taken 19 wickets at a strike rate of 13. With the bat, he does not have enough significant scores, but a top score of 69* in a domestic T20 in August makes his case stronger.
Gerhard Erasmus’ form lately has been incredible. In his last 10 white-ball games, he has scored 4 fifties and 2 thirties. In T20Is this year, he has smashed 254 runs at a strike rate of 134, including a 47-ball hundred against Uganda.
Fantasy Tip of The Day
Namibia’s all-rounders have been fetching more fantasy points than the mainstay bowlers of late, while Sri Lanka’s batters have been getting the bulk of the job done. That being said, Namibia are likely to fall prey to Sri Lanka’s mystery spinners.