Last Updated on 3 years by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Australia confirm playing 11 for first T20I against Sri Lanka | Australia playing 11 for T20I vs Sri Lanka at Colombo
Australia have confirmed their playing XI for their opening T20I against Sri Lanka that will be held in Colombo on 7th June. There are hardly any surprises in the team barring the confirmed absences of Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa.
The World T20 defending champions have maintained a fairly stable batting line-up, much akin to their victorious campaign in the UAE last year. Ashton Agar and Kane Richardson are the only non-regulars to have made it to the side as the Aaron Finch-led side begins the pursuit of winning a consecutive World T20 title Down Under later this year.
Australia playing 11 for 1st T20I vs Sri Lanka
Aaron Finch (captain), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wicketkeeper), Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood.
It is still up for debate if the Aussies would prefer making some changes to the unit that led them to the title in 2021. Concerns have been raised over the forms of Finch and Smith with the exciting Tim David waiting in the wings to grab his opportunity. Many believe that David could be an exceptional choice for the number five slot and add more attacking depth in Australia’s batting line-up. Meanwhile, Finch is battling his own run of poor form and will be looking to ward off apprehensions regarding the same in the upcoming series.
Read: Will Tim David play for Australia in 2022?
“There was a temptation there (to play two spinners) but having seen the conditions over the last couple of days, the square is quite green, there’s been a lot of rain around and the outfield is quite heavy,” Finch was quoted speaking about the team combination in a report by Cricket Australia.
He also addressed the possible inclusion of promising keeper-batsman Josh Inglis in the XI. Inglis has impressed many people with his average of 36 and strike rate of 146 in six T20Is so far. But for him to displace Matthew Wade in the XI would take some serious convincing. Wade is renowned for his heroics in the World T20 semi-final vs Pakistan last year.
“He’s so close, he’s really stiff. Every chance he’s had, he’s taken with both hands. He’s a super talented young payer. He’s shown his ability to float throughout the order in international cricket and domestic cricket,” Finch addressed this dilemma.
He added, “He’ll definitely get an opportunity with the quick back-ups between the three T20s and then the five ODIs being really congested. There will be an opportunity for Josh at some point. He’s made every post a winner.”
However, Finch would first and foremost look to get his own form back on track after registering only a single 50+ score in his last 14 T20Is. Australia cannot afford to walk into the World T20 with a depleted squad and hence they need to brush off these issues in the build-up to the mega tournament.
Read: Hope to get people off my back with runs on the board – Aaron Finch
