Australia vs Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I, Brisbane: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

The series done and dusted, Australia will now host Sri Lanka for the “dead-rubber” third T20I, at Melbourne. Sri Lanka, who had been restricted to 99/9 in the first T20I, did marginally better in the second: they folded for 117. They were 53/2 at one point, but given the pace at which they started, they had never seemed to threaten the Australians.

Australia did not even bother to adopt a cautious approach, not even after losing Aaron Finch off the third ball. David Warner and Steven Smith saw them to a 9-wicket win with 7 overs to spare. As in the first match, they did little wrong, outplaying Sri Lanka every department – this, despite not having Mitchell Starc.

Their middle-order batsmen are probably the only ones complaining. After all, Australia have lost only 3 wickets in the series, leaving the likes of Ashton Turner, Alex Carey, and Ashton Agar raring to have a go.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have struggled on all counts. As mentioned, they have taken only 3 wickets, and their highest individual score of the series has been 27. Turning things around will not be easy. They have to draw inspiration from their heroics this year – in the Tests in South Africa and in the T20Is in Australia.

Head to head

Sri Lanka hold an 8-6 lead. Despite conceding the series, however, they lead 5-3 on Australian soil, though Australia have won the last 3 matches.

Key players

Adam Zampa (Australia): Sri Lanka play spin well, but that did not prevent Zampa from establishing his credentials as one of the most potent spinners in contemporary limited-overs cricket. His series figures read 8-0-34-5, and he will want to bow out on a high.

Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka): The Sri Lankans are yet to produce any performance of note, but Kusal Perera looked menacing during his brief stay at the crease in the second T20I. If he gets going, who knows?

Likely XIs

Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa, Billy Stanlake.

Sri Lanka: Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera (wk), Niroshan Dickwella, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Malinga (c), Nuwan Pradeep.

Prediction

Australia to win easily and sweep the series.