The final throws of the Australian international summer takes place over the next week when they entertain Sri Lanka in a three match T20 series. The timing of this series is quite weird with Australia heading to India for a Test series too but it is there and one to enjoy.
Schedule
1st T20: Feb 17 at Melbourne
2nd T20: Feb 19 at Geelong
3rd T20: Feb 22 at Adelaide
Australia
This matches will be the first T20 internationals that Australia have played since they won 2-0 in a mini-series in Sri Lanka in the autumn. On that occasion Glenn Maxwell went into insane mode and took both matches away from Sri Lanka but with him not being around for this series Australia will need to find someone else to perform that role.
Although it has been five months since Australia have played the format internationally, in that time the Big Bash League has been played so the players involved here will be familiar with the format. The squad picked for this series equates to something akin to a Big Bash All Stars squad so they should be dynamic at least.
Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankans will be playing their second dose of matches in this format in as many months having been to South Africa recently and won a T20 series out there. That was a fine effort and one which will give them plenty of confidence heading into this series. The Sri Lankans have had a warm up match since arriving in Australia too so they are taking it seriously.
In light of how the two nations are performing at the minute you would suggest that Sri Lanka’s best chance of beating Australia would be in this format. They seem to have a real knack of performing in this format of the game and whoever they send into battle you feel they will put up a really competitive showing.
Betting
There are two bets in this series that I like. With the major Australian players all being out in India already this is a different Australia side that will take the field and while it is a talented one Sri Lanka just saw off a similar South Africa outfit and at 9/2 I believe the tourists are overpriced here.
Sri Lanka have some batting firepower at their disposal in this series and with Lasith Malinga strengthening a bowling attack littered with canny skills they may not take the pounding that Glenn Maxwell brutally took them for in the series in Sri Lanka. I think a small bet could yield dividends at that price.
One of those Sri Lankan batsmen I hinted about is Niroshan Dickwella and at 3/1 I can’t help but think he is overpriced to lead the run scoring for the away side in this series. I totally understand how Upul Tharanga is the favourite but I can’t be taking captains in this format of the game.
Dickwella was brilliant in both 20 overs and 50 overs in South Africa and has already nailed 47 in the warm up match since he landed in Australia. The hard hitting opener is clearly in excellent form right now and he’ll enjoy the pace on the ball and the bounce on these tracks to let fly with some big shots.
Tips
WON – Back Sri Lanka to win T20 Series for a 2/10 stake at 5.50 with Betfred
Back them here:
Back N.Dickwella Top Sri Lanka Series Batsman for a 2/10 stake at 4.00 with BetVictor
Back him here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2017
