AUS vs SL Dream11 Team Prediction: Sri Lanka will be looking to play for pride and avoid a whitewash down under.
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The third T20I of the ongoing Sri Lanka’s tour of Australia will be played tomorrow at the MCG in Melbourne. With Australia gaining an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, the dead-rubber is likely to lay emphasis on experimentation for both teams.
Sri Lanka, who have to play the qualifying round of the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia, have this one last match to tinker with their combination in Australian conditions. The visitors have struggled across departments in the series so far.
AUS vs SL Dream11 Team Prediction
Team News
Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has opted for an indefinite break from cricket to sort his mental health issues. While opening batsman D’Arcy Short has been named Maxwell’s replacement, coach Justin Langer has announced that they will play reserve batsman Ben McDermott in the middle-order.
As mentioned above, Sri Lanka are likely to make changes to their squad but the exact details regarding the same can’t be confirmed as of now.
Probable Playing XI
Australia squad
1) David Warner 2) Aaron Finch (c) 3) Steve Smith 4) Ben McDermott 5) Ashton Turner 6) Alex Carey (wk) 7) Ashton Agar 8) Pat Cummins 9) Kane Richardson 10) Adam Zampa 11) Billy Stanlake
Sri Lanka squad
1) Danushka Gunathilaka 2) Kusal Mendis 3) Avishka Fernando / Oshada Fernando 4) Kusal Perera (wk) 5) Niroshan Dickwella / Bhanuka Rajapaksa 6) Dasun Shanaka 7) Wanidu Hasaranga 8) Isuru Udana 9) Lakshan Sandakan 10) Lasith Malinga (c) 11) Nuwan Pradeep
Top Four
Australia – David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, Ben McDermott
Sri Lanka – Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando / Oshada Fernando, Kusal Perera
Big-hitters
Australia – Ben McDermott, Ashton Turner
Sri Lanka – Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka
Death bowler
Australia – Pat Cummins, Kane Richardson, Billy Stanlake
Sri Lanka – Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Pradeep, Isuru Udana
Pitch conditions and Toss Prediction
In the 12 T20Is played at the MCG, the average run rate (7.36) has surely been on the lower side. Given Sri Lanka’s batting form, the same might hold true again tomorrow. The average run rate might get contradicted if the hosts bat first.
The toss prediction at MCG is another tricky affair as both the outcomes have been almost equal. If Sri Lanka win the toss, Lasith Malinga would be looking to bat first to put pressure on the home team. On the other hand, if Australia win the toss, Aaron Finch would be wanting to bowl first.
AUS vs SL Dream11 Wicket-Keepers
Sri Lanka wicket-keeper batsman Kusal Perera is my only wicket-keeper batsman for this match. Having scored 43 runs in two matches at a strike rate of 122.85, Perera has been Sri Lanka’s highest run-scorer on the tour so far. I didn’t pick Alex Carey because of his batting position.
AUS vs SL Dream11 Batsmen
Much like his ODI comeback, Australia opening batsman David Warner has resumed his T20I career on a high note. In two matches, Warner has scored 160 runs at a strike rate of 164.94 and is yet to be dismissed in the series.
In the only innings that he batted in, Australia batsman Steve Smith registered his third T20I half-century to stitch a match-winning 117-run partnership for the second wicket alongside Warner. Get both the players in!
Australia middle-order batsman Ashton Turner might not have scored heaps of runs in the recent past but was in phenomenal form during the last season of the Big Bash League. In 14 matches, Turner had scored 378 runs at an average of 31.50 and a strike rate of 132.63 including three half-centuries.
Sri Lanka opening batsman Danushka Gunathilaka is my only specialist batsman from the visiting team. The southpaw’s attacking instincts might come in handy against Australia’s new-ball bowlers tomorrow.
AUS vs SL Dream11 All-rounders
Australia all-rounder Ashton Agar is the only specialist all-rounder in this team. In the eight overs that Agar has bowled in the series, he has picked three wickets for only 40 runs. Other than bowling, Agar can also fetch you points in the batting and fielding department.
AUS vs SL Dream11 Bowlers
The bowling is one department which is likely to see several chopping and changes happening tomorrow. While making a fantasy team is no mean task in such a situation, here is an attempt to do the same. A common suggestion for you all is to stay alert during the toss and making the changes, if any.
I have picked Mitchell Starc, Billy Stanlake and Adam Zampa among the Australian bowlers. While the express bowlers should cause trouble to the Australian batsmen, the leg-spinner is the highest wicket-taker (five wickets at an average of 6.80, an economy rate of 4.25 and a strike rate of 9.6) in the series.
As far as the Sri Lankan bowlers are concerned, I have included captain Malinga and his fellow pacer Nuwan Pradeep. Picking the same team will leave you with an extra credit which will come to your rescue if you want to make any change after the toss.
Dream 11 Disclaimer
All our selections are based on in-depth and astute analysis of the players partaking in the match, pitch report and a perusal of other reasoning. Please incorporate a slew of factors while crafting your own side with this article serving as a guide to the match and players.
