Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey

AUS vs SL T20Is: Post Langer era officially begins soon after resignation | AUS vs SL T20Is: Five-match T20 series to begin on February 11

Life after Justin Langer begins quickly for Australia with the five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka kicking off this Friday. The series is almost an afterthought amid the Langer situation, where the former coach rejected Cricket Australia’s short-term contract offer, ending nearly four years in the role.

Langer led Australia to its first ever men’s T20 World Cup triumph last November, but it will be interim coach Andrew McDonald at the helm for the upcoming series. The defending champions will play the first of five T20Is against Sri Lanka on February 11 in Sydney, which serves as preparation for another T20 World Cup this year, this time in Australia.

The home side will be looking to keep the momentum going after a convincing 4-0 Ashes triumph as well. According to a 10cric review, Australia start the series as strong favourites. They have won their past five T20Is against Sri Lanka, including a convincing victory in last year’s World Cup.

AUS vs SL T20Is: Australia aim to keep the T20 momentum going with some newer faces

Australia go into this series with a near full-strength squad. Aaron Finch will lead the side in a very important series for him personally after a lean 2021 with the bat. Ben McDermott, who was superb in the recent BBL 11, is likely to win an opening berth in the absence of David Warner. Also, expect Josh Inglis to get game time with Mitchell Marsh rested.

Eyes will be on Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade to see if they can continue their middle order brilliance from the T20 World Cup. Both saw Australia home in a thrilling Semi Final against Pakistan, and Stoinis himself credited his time in the IPL for his improvement.

Also, Australia will field a full-strength bowling attack – an attack that played a central role in reaching the 2021 World Cup Semi Finals and then winning the tournament.

Australia T20I squad: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head*, Moises Henriques, Josh Inglis, Ben McDermott, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa

*Will miss first three matches

Sri Lanka to target Australia’s list of right-handers

However, Sri Lanka have made improvements in recent times. With the emergence of the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka, the Island nation will be out to impress.

Hasaranga in particular is one to watch. He has a superb record against right-handers, and Australia’s lineup is with them. David Warner will be taking a much-needed rest, and Travis Head will miss the first three games after opting to play Sheffield Shield ahead of Australia’s long-awaited tour of Pakistan.

Of Hasaranga’s 52 T20I wickets to date, 43 of them are right-handers. Given Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne – the three venues for the series – can all suit spin; it is a clear avenue for the tourists to make a foothold in the series.

Sri Lanka T20I squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Kamil Mishara, Ramesh Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shiran Fernando