Former champions Sri Lanka will look to exploit Australia’s top-order woes when they clash in a group 1 Super 12 match of the ICC T20 World Cup on Thursday. Sri Lanka, who had won the title in 2014, topped group A with three successive wins before outwitting Bangladesh by five wickets in their first Super 12 match.
During the pre-match conference today, Sri Lanka coach Micky Arthur emphasized that the team is playing good cricket and will give a tough fight to Australia.
“Qualifiers were tough. There was a lot of pressure on us, but now the pressure has reversed. Because we are coming to this part. Not much to lose. We are playing good Cricket and We are a dangerous side” Arthur said.
For Sri Lanka, the presence of quality spinners in the ranks could prove to be a tricky proposition for the struggling Australian batters. The availability of Maheesh Theekshana, who missed the win over Bangladesh owing to an injury, could boost the team’s morale as he has the wares to trouble the Aussie batters, who are not so comfortable against slow stuff. Leg-spinning all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga could be more than a handful for the opposition batting unit and how he goes could well determine how the encounter pans out.
Skipper Dasun Shanaka would be expecting rookie Charith Asalanka, who shone in the team’s win in the opener, opening batter Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando to make key contributions.
On the other hand, the Aussies, who are yet to win the T20 World Cup, scampered home in the last over against South Africa after being reduced to 38 for 3 while chasing a modest 118 in their opening match.
Skipper Aaron Finch made a duck, while David Warner, who is going through a tough time, too was out cheaply once again and Mitchell Marsh also found the going tough. A good start is half the job done and the two Australian powerhouse will need to strike form quickly when they face the wily Lankan spinners.
The ever-reliable Steve Smith steadied the innings after the initial stutter against South Africa and his performance will be the key as the tournament progresses. Finch will also expect the power-hitting Marsh to find ways to score in these conditions. Glenn Maxwell, after a good run in the recent IPL, bowled four overs to pick up a wicket and provides the skipper more options with the ball and also with his explosive hitting.
