Australia v Sri Lanka – 3rd ODI Betting Preview
Australia v Sri Lanka: ODI Game 3, Sunday 10/2 – 3.20pm (AEST) at WACA – Latest Odds HERE.
AUSTRALIA’S TRI-SERIES CAMPAIGN:
Game 1 – defeated India by 65 runs (D/L method) at MCG (5/2)
Game 3 – v Sri Lanka at WACA (10/2)
Game 4 – v India at Adelaide Oval (12/2)
Game 6 – v Sri Lanka at SCG (17/2)
Game 7 – v India at Gabba (19/2)
Game 9 – v Sri Lanka at Blundstone Arena, Hobart (24/2)
Game 10 – v India at SCG (26/2)
Game 12 – v Sri Lanka at MCG (2/3)
SRI LANKA’S TRI-SERIES CAMPAIGN:
Game 2 – lost to India by four wickets (with 20 balls remaining) at WACA (8/2)
Game 3 – v Australia at WACA (10/2)
Game 5 – v India at Adelaide Oval (14/2)
Game 6 – v Australia at SCG (17/2)
Game 8 – v India at Gabba (21/2)
Game 9 – v Australia at Blundstone Arena, Hobart (24/2)
Game 11 – v India at Blundstone Arena, Hobart (28/2)
Game 12 – v Australia at MCG (2/3)
KEY PLAYERS:
Michael Hussey loves playing in front of his home crowd. Even more, Michael Hussey loves making a big score in front of his home crowd. The 36-year-old has always lifted for ODI games at the WACA over his career. Hussey averages an impressive 51.11 across his entire career, but he averages a whopping 76.25 when he plays at the WACA. The left-hander’s finest knock at his home ground came against South Africa in 2009, when he made 78 off 96 balls as he desperately tried to get the Aussies over the line. Hussey was in superb touch against India on Sunday night, compiling a lovely knock of 45 off 32 balls after an annoying rain delay. Expect that good form to continue on Friday night against the Sri Lankans.
He’s only 27-years-old, but it feels like Upul Tharanga has been around for a lot longer. The left-handed batsman first hit the international scene in 2005 and while he has dropped off in the longest form in the game, he has thrived in the 50-over format. Tharanga has scored just under 4500 ODI runs across his 137-game career and has cemented his spot as chief opening batsman alongside Tillakaratne Dilshan. He was in terrific touch during Sri Lanka’s recent series against South Africa, scoring 176 runs from five matches. Tharanga has already played six matches in Australia, but has played just one on the hard, bouncy WACA wicket, which was Wednesday’s game against India. He made just four, but he is a class act and will be out to make amends on Friday.
PITCH AND CONDITIONS:
The pitch prepared for Wednesday’s game between India and Sri Lanka was a typical WACA wicket: hard, fast, bouncy and a little extra grass than usual. And when you saw the pitch next door that was being prepared for Friday’s match, it looked incredibly similar. The outfield was lightning fast on Wednesday, so batsmen will once again get full value for their shots if the ball finds the middle of their bats. Expect the same Perth weather too: hot, sunny and a maximum of 36 degrees. Those drinks breaks will be vital!
TEAMS:
Despite their comfortable 65-run win on Sunday night, the Australians still suffered a huge blow. Experienced paceman Brett Lee has been ruled out for the remainder of the tri-series after suffering a broken foot in his team’s T20 loss to India last week. He is expected to miss four to six weeks, meaning he could also miss Australia’s tour to the West Indies in March. Lee has been replaced by fellow experienced fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus, who was his country’s leading wicket-taker in its Test series victory over India. The Tasmanian hasn’t played an ODI since 2009, but will slot nicely into the side, if he plays, in the current form he is in. Queensland batsman Peter Forrest is also a strong chance to make his international debut and is likely to come in for one of David Warner, David Hussey or Ricky Ponting. Hunch is man of the moment Warner will miss, due to his heavy workload this summer. Here is how the Aussies are likely to line-up:
1. David Warner/Peter Forrest
2. Matthew Wade (WK)
3. Ricky Ponting
4. Michael Clarke (C)
5. David Hussey
6. Michael Hussey
7. Dan Christian
8. Clint McKay
9. Ryan Harris
10. Mitchell Starc
11. Xavier Doherty/Ben Hilfenhaus
Even though the Sri Lankans went down by four wickets on Wednesday night, don’t expect too many changes to the side. They went into the game against India with seven specialist batsmen and four specialist bowlers, but in hindsight they perhaps missed that extra man to turn to with the ball. Due to the fast and bouncy nature of the WACA pitch, Tillakaratne Dilshan was the only spinner who rolled his arm over for the Lankans. But don’t be surprised to see experienced left-arm orthodox spinner Rangana Herath come in to give his team that little bit of variety. Here is how the Sri Lankans are likely to line-up:
1. Upul Tharanga
2. Tillakaratne Dilshan
3. Kumar Sangakkara (WK)
4. Dinesh Chandimal
5. Mahela Jayawardene (C)
6. Angelo Mathews
7. Thisara Perera
8. Lahiru Thirimanne/Rangana Herath
9. Nuwan Kulasekera
10. Lasith Malinga
11. Dhammika Prasad
WHO WINS?
Despite its recent form, Australia can’t afford to underestimate the Sri Lankans on Friday – because we all know they are capable of anything on any given day.
The big reason why the Sri Lankans went down to India on Wednesday was because they fell 30 to 40 runs short of a good total, something skipper Mahela Jayawardene admitted in his post-match press conference. A lot of batsmen were able to get starts, but the team’s entire innings lacked firepower and excitement, therefore the majority of individual strike rates were below 100.
But there were still some positive signs for the Sri Lankans. Rising star batsman Dinesh Chandimal looked at home in Australian conditions, top-scoring for his team with a gritty knock of 64 from 81 balls. Dhammika Prasad also showed poise with the ball to take 1-47 from his 10 overs, while vice-captain Angelo Mathews had a great all-round match, smashing 33 handy runs late in the innings and claiming 2-31 with the ball.
However you can’t go past the mighty Aussies here, especially after their performance with the ball against India in Melbourne.
The pace quartet of McKay, Harris, Starc and Christian worked superbly as a cohesive unit against India on Sunday night and should thrive on the WACA strip this Friday. Add the deadly accurate Xavier Doherty and you’ve got a bowling attack that may be inexperienced on paper but definitely high in confidence.
Expect the in-form Hussey brothers, especially hometown-hero Mike, to thrive in the scorching Perth sun and guide the Aussies to a comfortable victory.
BEST HEAD-TO-HEAD BET:
Australia to win ($1.37)
AUSTRALIA HIGH BAT:
Michael Hussey ($6.50)
TOTAL RUN OUTS:
Two or More ($2.50)
BOWLING SPECIALS:
Lasith Malinga to take the first wicket for Sri Lanka ($2.50)
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