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AUS vs SL 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report

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Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

AUS vs SL 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | AUS vs SL 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Australia vs Sri Lanka 1st T20 Key Players | SCG Pitch Report

Oh look, a T20I series. You’d be forgiven if you forgot this five-match contest was taking place, with news of Justin Langer’s resignation dominating the headlines.

On Wednesday, Pat Cummins took to the media to explain Australia’s desire for a different style of coach, stirring further reaction and opinion. After all, if the coach had to go, why would Cricket Australia even bother offering him a six-month extension?

Anyway, that can be put aside for now. Andrew McDonald will take the helm as interim coach for this T20I series against Sri Lanka – Australia’s first as T20 World Cup champions. With another T20 World Cup this year – this time on home soil – Australia will be seeking to continue the kind of momentum they generated in a magnificent run to the title in the UAE in 2021.

However, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh, two players who were key in the run to the title, are not available for this series. So, this can give the Sri Lankans a sense of confidence on top of the promising signs they showed in last year’s World Cup. Charith Asalanka in particular was a shining light, while Wanindu Hasaranga’s influence on this team is clear to see.

Also, there is a chance this Australia side could be distracted by all the Langer saga, which could bring the tourists right into the equation. if the Lions put the home team under pressure early, who knows what can happen.

Possible Playing 11

Daniel Sams has been included in Australia’s T20I squad. David Warner and Mitchell Marsh have been rested, while Travis Head opted out of the first three T20Is to play Sheffield Shield.

Australia has confirmed their XI, with Josh Inglis to debut at number three.

Australia: 1. Aaron Finch (c), 2. Ben McDermott, 3. Josh Inglis, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Matthew Wade (wk), 8. Mitchell Starc, 9. Pat Cummins, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Josh Hazlewood

Sri Lanka have included Kusal Mendia and Danushka Gunathilaka in their T20I squad.

Sri Lanka: 1. Pathum Nissanka, 2. Danushka Gunathilaka/Dinesh Chandimal, 3. Charith Asalanka, 4. Avishka Fernando, 5. Kusal Mendis, 6. Dasun Shanaka (c), 7. Wanindu Hasaranga, 8. Chamika Karunaratne, 9. Dushmantha Chameera, 10. Maheesh Theekshana, 11. Binura Fernando/Lahiru Kumara

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Australia:

  • Glenn Maxwell, who recently smashed 154* in the BBL, has an insane record against Sri Lanka. The right-hander has smashed 286 runs in five innings against them at an average of 95.33 and strike rate of 218.32, with a top score of 145*. He also has three wickets to his name.
  • Maxwell also has some good T20 numbers at the SCG. He has struck 332 runs in 12 innings on this ground at an average of 30.18 and strike rate of 143.10. He also has 10 wickets in 10 bowling innings.
  • Aaron Finch struck a fluent 37 off 23 balls against Sri Lanka in the 2021 T20 World Cup. He has scored 254 runs in nine innings overall against the Lions at an average of 28.22 and strike rate of 149.41. The skipper will be seeking to improve on this.
  • Finch has a T20 century on this ground. He has struck 251 runs in six innings at the SCG at an average of 50.20 and strike rate of 146.78.
  • Ben McDermott is set to return to the national team after a brilliant BBL campaign. He scored the most runs of any player, with 577 at an average of 48.08 and strike rate of 153.86, including two centuries.
  • Adam Zampa was player of the match in Australia’s T20 World Cup match against Sri Lanka (2/12). The leg-spinner has a superb record overall against them, taking two wickets per match on average (8 inns, 16 wickets, avg. 10.62, SR 12).
  • Allan Border Medallist Mitchell Starc will be looking to continue the good form. He has taken 11 wickets in seven matches vs Sri Lanka at an average of 17.18 and economy rate of 6.75, including 2/27 in last year’s World Cup.
  • Starc also has a terrific T20 record at the SCG. The left-armer has taken 15 wickets in just eight matches on this ground at an average of 14.47 and strike rate of 12.
  • Josh Hazlewood had a breakthrough year in T20s in 2021. He played a key role in CSK’s IPL triumph and Australia’s World Cup win with a total of 34 wickets in 24 T20s last year.

Sri Lanka:

  • Eyes will be on Charith Asalanka. He was one of the top players in last year’s T20 World Cup, playing with great impetus. Also, he recently scored 71, 23 and 52 in ODIs vs Zimbabwe, followed by 52* in a domestic one day match.
  • Wanindu Hasaranga will be crucial to Sri Lanka’s hopes. Also, he should enjoy bowling to Australia’s right-handers. 43 of Hasaranga’s 51 T20I wickets so far are right-handers. He took 2/22 against Australia in the World Cup match between the teams.
  • Pathum Nissanka was player of the series in a recent three-match ODI series vs Zimbabwe (156 runs). Also, he scored the seventh-most runs of any player in last year’s World Cup (8 inns, 221 runs, avg. 27.62, SR 117.55).
  • Dushmantha Chameera will be key in the crunch death overs. The pace bowler had a good year in T20s with 35 wickets in 29 matches at a respectable economy rate of 7.74.
  • Mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana will be one to watch. He took eight wickets in his last five matches of Sri Lanka’s Lanka Premier League in December.

Stats and Facts

  • Head-to-head: Matches 17, Australia 9, Sri Lanka 8.
  • Australia have won the past five T20Is against Sri Lanka.
  • Between 2010 and 2017, Sri Lanka won all five T20Is against Australia in Australia. Australia have won all four since February 2017.

SCG Pitch Report and Weather

It is likely to rain during the day in Sydney. This could potentially mean a shortened match.

The SCG has been a good place to bat in recent times. The average first innings score at the SCG in BBL 11 was 173.67 in six matches, with the teams batting first and second winning three games each.

Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time.

Option 1:

AUS vs SL 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | AUS vs SL 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Australia vs Sri Lanka 1st T20 Key Players | SCG Pitch Report
AUS vs SL 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

AUS vs SL 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | AUS vs SL 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Australia vs Sri Lanka 1st T20 Key Players | SCG Pitch Report
AUS vs SL 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction

Fan2Play Prediction

Base team:

  • Wicket-keepers: Ben McDermott, Josh Inglis
  • Batsmen: Aaron Finch, Charith Asalanka
  • All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell, Wanindu Hasaranga
  • Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Match Prediction

Australia should start the series off with a win, weather permitting.

Charbel Coorey
Charbel Cooreyhttps://cricblog.net
Charbel is the owner & founder of cricblog.net, based in Sydney, Australia. He started the website to fulfill his love for the game of cricket. Charbel has been featured on other publications including OP India, Times of India, and The Roar, among others. He is also a keen fantasy sports player. Charbel has also had the privilege of interviewing cricketers on the CricBlog TV YouTube channel, including James Neesham, Rassie van der Dussen, Andrew Tye, Shreyas Gopal, Jaydev Unadkat and Saurabh Netravalkar: https://www.youtube.com/@cricblogtv For any story tips or questions, you can contact Charbel at charbelcoorey@cricblog.net.

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