Australia vs Sri Lanka, AUS vs SL, Today Match Prediction 18 February 2022

aus vs sl Match Prediction & Analysis

Host Australia will be looking to continue their winning momentum when they take on Sri Lanka in the fourth game of the T20I series at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

Kane Richardson, Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell chipped in with excellent performances to help Australia clinch the ODI series at Manuka Oval. The home side might go for changes to provide opportunities to fringe players against Sri Lanka.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka have clearly struggled with the bat so far in this series. Captain Dasun Shanaka will be hoping that the side can put in a decent fight against Australia.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Australia Preview

Moises Henriques could come in place of Marcus Stoinis in the final XI for this game. In the batting department, the onus will be on the likes of Ben McDermott, Glenn Maxwell, wicket-keeper Matthew Wade, Moises Henriques, Jos Inglis and Aaron Finch to deliver the bulk of the runs.

In the previous match, Glenn Maxwell was the standout performer with the bat and finished the innings with the top-score of 39 runs off 26 balls with the help of three fours and two sixes. He was well supported by captain Aaron Finch, who chipped in with 35 runs off 36 balls with the help of three boundaries.

In the previous match, the onus will be on the likes of Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, and Daniel Sams to provide crucial breakthroughs.

Australia Predicted Playing XI:

Aaron Finch (c), Ben McDermott, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Daniel Sams, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood

Australia Actual Playing XI:

Aaron Finch, Daniel Sams, Kane Richardson, Ashton Agar, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Jhye Richardson, Ben McDermott, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, Adam Zampa

Sri Lanka Preview

The visitors make one change as Avishka Fernando will replace Kusal Mendis for this fixture. In the batting department, the onus will be on the likes of Pathum Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka, Avishka Fernando and Dinesh Chandimal to  do the bulk of the scoring.

In the previous match, captain Dasun Shanaka produced a decent innings for Sri Lanka. He finished the innings with the top-score of 39 not out off 38 balls with the help of five boundaries. Besides, wicket-keeper Dinesh Chandimal chipped in with 25 runs off 29 balls

In the bowling department, the onus will be on the likes of Mahesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera and Jeffery Vandersay to deliver timely breakthroughs.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Dasun Shanaka (c), Avishka Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Maheesh Theekshana, Dasun Shanaka, Dinesh Chandimal, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Charith Asalanka, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

With weather expected to be fair for Friday’s game, the wicket might be slower in the first half of the innings. The batsmen will find it easier to score runs in the second half of the game.

Venue Details

Melbourne Cricket Ground is going to host the fourth T20I game between Australia and Sri Lanka. The Islanders will take heart from the fact that they have won two matches out of three played at this venue.

Toss: To Bowl

Both the teams will be keen to win the toss, bowl first and restrict the opposition to less than 150 runs. The average first innings score in a T20I game played at Melbourne is around 140 to 145 runs.