After a thrilling second match which the hosts won by the narrowest of margins, Sri Lanka are fast running out of rope in this series. But they have performed admirably and will surely have taken confidence from their efforts so far. Australia, meanwhile, will be keen to complete the series victory. Who will come out on top? Read on for our full Australia vs Sri Lanka third T20 preview and prediction:
Australia vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20 Preview and Prediction
Series So Far
Australia started this series off with a fairly comfortable win at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It was not quite a vintage display from the world champions, but spearheaded by Ben McDermott’s first international half-century and a quickfire 30 from Marcus Stoinis, they ended up with too many runs on the board for Sri Lanka to chase down as the visitors fell 20 runs short, with Adam Zampa returning figures of 3-18 and Josh Hazlewood 4-12.
The second-match was a thriller. Australia looked to be in charge having posted 164 on the board and bowled well enough through the Sri Lankan innings to leave their opponents needing 46 runs in just 18 balls. But Sri Lanka found a way to get those runs, with Dushmantha Chameera and Maheesh Theekshana both scoring boundaries. That took the game to a super-over, but Australia won that battle comfortably after Hazlewood went for just five runs.
Expected Teams
Captain Aaron Finch could use a score, but will not be dropped mid-series. Ben McDermott will also keep his place at the top after a solid series so far, with Josh Inglis the next man in. Moises Henriques should get a crack in Steve Smith’s absence, though neither look like a long term option. Glen Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade are a powerful middle order. Mitchell Starc will likely return. Jhye Richardson might play if Pat Cummins or Hazlewood are rested. Adam Zampa will complete the XI.
Kusal Mendis is out of isolation and may return to the side at the top of the order in place of Danushka Gunathilaka who has had a series to forget. Pathum Nissanka has impressed. Avishka Fernando and Charith Asalanka will bat at three and four, with Dinesh Chandimal in at five and star man Wanindu Hasaranga in at six. Captain Dasun Shanaka will bat seven, with Chamika Karunaratne, Chameera, Theekshana and Nuwan Thushara rounding out the Sri Lankan side.
Prediction
As well as Sri Lanka played in the second game, it is hard to look past Australia here. The absence of Smith is unlikely to be much of a blow after a scratchy series so far, with his likely replacement Henriques also a bowling option if needed. Ultimately, there is just that much more power in the Australian batting line-up than there is in the Sri Lankan side, and they also have two gun T20 bowlers in Hazlewood and Zampa. That all rather points to the hosts wrapping up the series in Canberra.
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