The 20 World Cup continues on Tuesday night as Australia square off against Sri Lanka from Optus Stadium at 10.00pm (AEDT). As always, we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the clash below.
T20WC Australia vs Sri Lanka Betting Tips
Optus Stadium, Tuesday 25th October, 10.00pm (AEDT)
Australia
It was an extremely disappointing start to the tournament for the Aussies as they were obliterated by the Kiwis to the tune of 89 runs. The Aussies chose to bowl first and never really looked in control of the game. New Zealand got off to a hot start on the back of Finn Allen and a steady innings from Devon Conway, who scored 92 off 58 balls led the Kiwis to a total of 200 off their 20 overs.
In response, the Aussies lost the early wickets of David Warner, Aaron Finch and Mitchell Marsh to fall to 3/34 and never really recovered. They were bundled out for just 111 in the chase, Glenn Maxwell top scoring with just 28.
Predicted XI: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade, Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
The change the Aussies should make is obvious. Finch needs to go to sure up the top order. However, it’s extremely unlikely that the selectors will drop the captain of the team without first giving him a chance to find form against a lesser opponent in Sri Lanka.
I do think there is a chance the selectors make a change to bring in Cameron Green, who seems destined to force his way into this side by the end of the tournament. Pat Cummins and Marcus Stoinis are the likely options to come out, but the most likely scenario is that they go in unchanged for this Sri Lanka clash.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka claimed a game one win over Ireland, never really getting out of 3rd gear as they rolled the Irish for 128 before chasing the runs down in just 15 overs. The two-time T20 World Cup champions can take a massive step toward qualifying for the semi-finals if they can manage to knock over the Australians on Tuesday night, and their tails will no doubt be up after a historic Test victory against the Aussies just a few months ago.
Predicted XI: Kusal Mendis, Dhanajaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Ashen Bandara, Bhunaka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando
Can’t envision the Sri Lankans making any drastic changes to their line-up after their dominant victory over Ireland in game one. Their spin bowling contingent is in brilliant form at the moment, but the Optus Stadium wicket has never been super conducive to spin. If they were to make a change, it would likely be another seamer in at the expense of one of their three spinners.
Betting Tips
The Aussies start as strong favourites despite the teams contrasting form in their opening games of the tournament. It’s hard to look past the home side to bounce back here, especially at Optus Stadium where the Aussies pace bowling attack will be so dangerous. The Aussies have won eight of their last nine T20 internationals against Sri Lanka on Australian soil. There’s not a lot of meat left on the bone but I like the Aussies here.
The two sides faced off in a five match T20 series in Australia back in February in which Australia won 4-1. Glenn Maxwell was the standout performer with the bat for the Aussies throughout that series, smashing 138 runs at an average of 34.5. he’s a great player of spin and I think good value to hit his overs on Tuesday night
Glenn Maxwell 25+ Runs
$2.40
On the bowling front, I like Josh Hazlewood to pick up multiple wickets again, as he did on Saturday night against the Kiwis. The big paceman played six T20 against Sri Lanka at home and away in 2022 and took a ridiculous 14 wickets.
Josh Hazlewood 2+ Wickets
$1.72
