The third T20I of the five-match series, between Australia and Sri Lanka, will be played on 15 February at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. Australia won the first match by 20 runs via the DLS method, but Sri Lanka came back strongly in the second until Marcus Stoinis hit the winning runs in the Super Over to help them go 2-0 up.
Sri Lanka must win the third T20I to keep the series alive. Pathum Nissanka has been in good form for some time, but has received little support so far in the series. Charith Asalanka, who had impressed before the series began, is yet to make an impact on his first visit to Australia. They have to stage a collective batting effort to pull one back.
Sri Lanka will be boosted by the return of Kusal Mendis, whose isolation period has come to an end. He is likely to replace Danushka Gunathilaka at the top. However, Binura Fernando, who impressed in the series opener but missed the second match, is still in isolation.
Australia, too, will look to improve their batting. They will replace the concussed Steven Smith with Moises Henriques, while Mitchell Starc is expected to replace of Pat Cummins. Their only concern is Aaron Finch’s form. Finch, currently the sixth-ranked batter in the world, has a solitary fifty and seven single-digit scores in his last 14 T20Is.
Sri Lanka have lost their last eight matches in Australia (six T20Is and two Test matches), and will want to end an unwanted streak with a much-improved all-round show.
Likely XIs
Australia: Aaron Finch (c), Matthew Wade (wk), Ben McDermott, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Moises Henriques, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara.
Fantasy tips
- With the sublime form he is in, Hazlewood is an obvious captain choice.
- Hasaranga can be a safe vice-captain pick. He can produce good value with both bat and ball.
- Among wicketkeepers, include McDermott and overlook Inglis, Wade and Chandimal.
Fantasy XI
Ben McDermott, Glenn Maxwell, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga (vc), Moises Henriques, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood (c), Chamika Karunaratne.