Australia vs Sri Lanka, ICCWCT20 2021, Today Match Prediction 28 October 2021

aus vs sl Match Prediction & Analysis

The Super 12 has seen some interesting results so far and the 22nd game of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 would see Australia take on Sri Lanka. The Australians come into this game after winning their first game against South Africa. The Sri Lankans have also been on song and defeated Bangladesh in their last game after their good show in the qualifying round. 

Sri Lanka has had a poor record against Australia in recent years. The side has struggled against teams ranked higher than itself and hence this will be a big challenge for them in this game. Their batting line-up has lacked consistency, and this is something they would need to work on in this game. Australia on the other hand would take inspiration from their recent record against the Lankans and we should have an interesting contest here. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Australia Preview

Aaron Finch would have been happy to have started the tournament with a win as they defeated South Africa by 5 wickets in their opening game of the season. But the game wasn’t without its struggles as Australia’s top order once again failed to deliver. This is one area that Finch would like to sort as they go ahead in the tournament. 

Finch and David Warner struggled at the top and the side would like to see a better start from them in this game. Mitchell Marsh also didn’t look at his best and he would have to do well in the middle order with Steven Smith and the pair must improve the scoring rate. Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Matthew Wade are good hitters, and they add punch to Australia’s batting. 

Mitchell Starc would need to fire with the new ball and the side would expect early blood from him and Glenn Maxwell. Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins looked in great form in the last game and this would add to the side’s confidence. Adam Zampa would enjoy the conditions at this venue and the side would expect him to trouble the Sri Lankans in the middle overs of the game.

Australia Predicted Playing XI:

Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Australia Actual Playing XI:

Aaron Finch, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Hazlewood

Sri Lanka Preview

It has been a perfect show by Dasun Shanaka’s side so far in the tournament and they have won all the four games they have played. They chase down a big score in the last game against Bangladesh to win by 5 wickets. But it would be a tougher contest for them against the Australians and Shanaka would like his side to continue with the same momentum here. 

Kusal Perera’s form is something the side would be concerned about, and he needs to set up a good opening wicket stand with Pathum Nissanka. Charith Asalanka played a match-winning knock in the last game and shall aim to set up partnerships with Avishaka Fernando and in-form Wanindu Hasaranga. Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Shanaka add depth to this batting line-up. 

Sri Lankan bowlers would have a big challenge on hand in this game and they would be expected to bowl better lines than they did against Bangladesh. Chamika Karunaratne has done well with the new ball, but the rest of the attack has struggled. Good performances would be expected from Binura Fernando and Dushmantha Chameera. Lahiru Kumara, Asalanka, and Hasaranga must bowl tight lines against Australia’s power hitters.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Perera (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Lahiru Kumara

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Avishka Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Kusal Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanidu Hasaranga, Charith Asalanka, Chamika Karunaratne

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It would be hot and humid in Dubai on October 26. The surface has been a tricky one as we have seen in the two games. Bowlers have got good assistance from the surface and batsmen have struggled. The side batting first here would like to put 160 runs on the board which can be defended successfully with good bowling.

Venue Details

Dubai International Cricket Stadium has a large but fast outfield. We have seen several high-scoring games here in the past, but the wicket has been dual paced in the recent games here. Fast bowlers have got some assistance in the early overs of the game but spinners have a great time bowling here and they can get the ball to turn and stop on batsmen.

Toss: To Bowl

Two games players here have seen the side chasing the score register comfortable wins. We had seen a similar trend during the IPL as well. The wicket has been tough to bat on in the early overs of the game and eases considerably as the game progresses. The side winning the toss would opt to bowl here.