The post-Tillarakarathne Dilshan era starts off for Sri Lanka with a must-win encounter as they take on Australia in the fourth ODI tomorrow at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.
Unlike the Test series where Sri Lanka registered a whitewash, the ODIs have been well fought with both teams landing punches in turns. The home team is trailing 2-1 after Australians gained the lead with a close two-wicket win on Sunday in the 3rd ODI.
Photo Album – Sri Lanka Team Practices Ahead of 4th ODI
After the game, Sri Lanka Cricket issued a special notice apologizing to the ticket-holders that about 45,000 people came to the grounds despite the capacity being 18,000. With the game being played at the same venue on Wednesday afternoon it will be interesting to see how Sri Lanka Cricket handles the crowd with special security measures in place.
Chandimal sizzled for Sri Lanka with a superb century in the 3rd ODI but it was not enough for the hosts as George Bailey guided the Australian middle-order through a tough period of play after the Lankan spinners put up a late comeback.
Sri Lanka
After the retirement of Dilshan, the Sri Lankans will have to look for a new opening combination to tackle the Australian seam barrage.
It is likely that Dhananjaya De Silva will be tested as an opener alongside Danushka Gunathilake with Kusal Janith Perera coming in at no.7. Newly-added left-arm spinning all-rounder Sachith Pathirana will most probably replace Seekkuge Prasanna in the lineup as the visitors have struggled against left-arm spin throughout the tour. Angelo Perera may be the one to earn a spot in the middle order.
“From the Test series onwards it has been a problem with Mitchell Starc. We’ve given him wickets in the first couple of overs and that has been a setback. It’s put a lot of pressure on the no.3 and no. 4. We need to rectify that. That’s why we are still undecided about the combination. We will come up with a couple of changes maybe.” Skipper Angelo Mathews said prior to the 4th ODI.
Probable XI – Danushka Gunathilake, Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews (Captain), Angelo Perera, Kusal Janith Perera, Thisara Perera, Sachith Pathirana, Dilruwan Perera, Amila Aponso.
Australia
Shaun Marsh broke his finger while fielding during the 3rd ODI, ending what has been a pretty good tour for him. Usman Khawaja will become Australia’s 3rd number three option in only four games. The visitors will stick to their five-bowler plan but if they go back to Nathan Lyon due to the dry surface, Josh Hazelwood will be the most likely have to sit this one out.
“We need to take a look tomorrow and reassess from there. The selectors did have a team if we were playing in the other wicket but looks like we are playing in the same wicket which was used for the previous game. There is a possibility in bringing in Nathan Lyon when it is a second game wicket.” David Warner said during the pre-match press conference.
Probable XI – David Warner (Captain), Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, George Bailey, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, James Faulkner, John Hastings, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
There has been no rain for the last couple of weeks and Dambulla being in the dry-zone of Sri Lanka, there are little to no chances of rain interruptions. The surface will be the same one which was used for the 3rd ODI and will have a lot of turn for the spinners. The team batting first will look to post a score above 250 which could be enough to defend.
