Australia v Sri Lanka 2017, 1st T20I Preview: Second String Aussies Face Stiff Lanka Test

Feb 16, 2017 at 4:38 PM

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Australia v Sri Lanka 2017, 1st T20I Preview: Second String Aussies Face Stiff Lanka Test

Australia is set to compete with the touring Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series with the first match set to take place on Friday (February 17). The series is not expected to be a live wire as the hosts have kept their focus on the more crucial tour of India.

With the tour around the corner, Australia has chosen to rest top names and field a second string team led by Aaron Finch.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, is returning from a bitter-sweet tour of South Africa (more bitter, less sweet to be precise). The only positive they took from the tour was the T20I series win. Also, the return of Malinga is a huge boost. They started off with a bang registering a convincing win over PM’s XI in the tour game and look set to challenge the home side. The importance of the series might be low but the intensity is expected to be high.

Team Composition:

Australia has aptly rewarded top names from the Big Bash League (BBL). Michael Klinger, Ben Dunk, Tim Paine, Billy Stanlake and Aston Turner. All these men have been outstanding in the domestic T20 competition and have been in the reckoning for a long time.

The upcoming match would a highly emotional for one man – Michael Klinger. The 36-year old’s chances of making it to the XI are almost sure and therefore he is set to become the fifth oldest T20I debutant for any full-member nation, joining Rafatullah Mohmand (Pakistan), Rahul Dravid (India), Floyd Reifer (West Indies) and Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka).

Ben Dunk, Travis Head and Moises Henriques will most likely form the middle-order. Tim Paine, the wicket-keeper batsman will take charge at number six. All-rounders Aston Turner, James Faulkner, Pat Cummins along with leg spinner Adam Zampa and either of Andrew Tye or Bill Stanlake would complete the squad.

The biggest attraction Sri Lanka have is Lasith Malinga. The fast bowler, who has high reputation in this format, would be the key player for the Island nation. He has not played a high-level match since February last year due to injuries. His last appearance came in the 2016 Asia Cup T20. The hosts will surely not take him lightly. Angelo Mathews is yet to recover from an injury and Upul Tharanga will lead the side in his absence.

Form guide

Australia: WWLWW

Sri Lanka: WWLLL

Match Details:

The match begins at 14:10 IST

Stats:

  • Aaron Finch needs 26 runs to reach 1000 in T20Is.
  • Sri Lanka maintain a 100 per cent win –loss record against Australia in Australia, having won all three matches they have played in the country.

Who said what?

“Every time you represent your country, it’s a huge honour and there’s going to be some guys who do it for the first time,” said Aaron Finch

“We’ve tried to in recent times not to worry about who the names are that much, but to get out and play the ball and execute our skills as much as possible,” said Graham Ford

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