Tag: Sri Lanka

Series Sweep Beckons for Plucky Sri Lankans

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Wednesday’s T20 series finale between Australia and Sri Lanka was always in the spotlight. When the futures cricket schedule was shunned in favour of the big three proposition (a model that is now defunct) criticisms over the amount of cricket the big three (India, England, Australia) would play were rife.

To put the criticism in context, Australia plays a test in India on the day after the third T20 game.

The criticism is valid, but because of the performance from Sri Lanka in winning the opening two games, the focus on Adelaide is entirely different. Now, it’s Australia desperate to avoid an embarrassing whitewash on home soil.

The Series So Far

Sri Lanka won the series opener at the MCG, taking four off the final ball of the game to win a low scorer.

In Geelong for game two, Australia mustered 173 (about 10-15 runs short of where they should’ve been) which was again hauled down from the final ball of the innings. The incredible run chase was completed by the uber-impressive Asela Gunaratne who made 84 not out from 46 balls in a one-man show. The cheeky (in batsmanship not in personality) never panicked as his team mates lost their heads and remarkably, took 48 from the final three overs to see his side home by two wickets.

With the win, Sri Lanka secure their third successive T20 series win in Australia.

The Teams

Australia (from):

Aaron Finch (capt), Michael Klinger, Travis Head, Ben Dunk, Moises Henriques, Ashton Turner, Tim Paine (wk), James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake.

Ben Dunk and Jhye Richardson got their chance in Geelong instead of Adam Zampa and Billy Stanlake so there’s a good chance rotation plays a part in the selection thinking here too. Dunk helped Australia chase the momentum of the innings and probably did enough to retain his place.

Sri Lanka (from):

Upal Tharanga (c), Niroshan Dickwella, Asela Gunarathna, Dilshan Munaweera, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardena, Sachith Pathirana, Chamara Kapugedara, Seekuge Prassanna, Nuan Kulaskera, Isuru Udana, Dasun Chanaka, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Malinga, Vikum Sanjaya.Captain

With a series win in the bag, it might be tempting for the selectors to make some changes, but I don’t think they’ll win. The prospect of a series whitewash should outweigh any desire to rest players in the final game of a tour.

The Key Players

Australia

Moses Henriques may have bowled the over that allowed Sri Lanka to claw back into the game – the 18th of the innings; it went for 22. However, he also ensured Australia had a decent total to defend with an exceptionally well made half century. Henriques, with the added responsibility of batting four, was impressive in his 56 not out from 37 balls, finally showing promise in national colours after some horror outings in the past. Look for him to again be the mainstay of the batting effort, but perhaps not bowling crunch over at the death.

Sri Lanka

It’s hard not to preview anyone other than the amazing little right-hander that has set the series alight. Gunarathna has made (and averaged) 136 runs in the two games at a strike rate of 163. Aaron Finch described him as being incredibly difficult to bowl to, and that’s exactly how it has transpired in both games of the series. Gunarathna will now chase Virat Kohli’s record of 199 runs in a three-match T20 series – he needs 64 to beat Kohli’s current best aggregate.

The Match Odds*

Australia – $1.52

Sri Lanka – $2.53

*Odds from Bet365.

The Prediction

Each match in the series has seen Sri Lanka’s odds shorten ahead of the game. From $4.10 to win the first game, $2.87 to win Sunday’s second game, to the current $2.53 it has been a sensational series win against all predictions. We were wrong too, picking Australia in both the opening two games. We’re not making that mistake again. Sri Lanka to sweep it with a 3 wicket or 6 run win.

The Best Bets

We’re all in on Gunarathna to top score. He’s paying $6 to top score for the third straight game.

Henriques who has looked the most accomplished of the Australian side is paying the same. At $6 that’s attractive for a number four batsman who should spend lots of time in the middle. Ben Dunk is your other nicely priced option at $5.

Australia Facing Prospect of Series Upset in Geelong Twenty20

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While the stars of the Australian cricket landscape were plundering runs against the India A side ahead of their test series, the second stringers (and unkind but convenient title in this case) lost a tight Twenty20 match against Sri Lanka in Melbourne. The contrast highlights the intricacies of cricket scheduling but also proves that the Sri Lankans are a real chance to take a rare series win on Australian soil.

The Series So Far

A final call boundary from the bat of Chamara Kapugedera saw Sri Lanka get over the line at the MCG. Chasing a middling 169 to win, contributions from Dickwella, Gunaratne and Munaweera were enough for Sri Lanka to sneak home against the makeshift Australian outfit.

Australia’s 168 was built around Aaron Finch’s 43, Michael Klinger 38 and Travis Head’s 31, but ultimately lacked a decisive innings that took the game by the scruff of the neck. The smaller Geelong venue for Sunday’s game might be conducive to bigger scores and more sixes (there were just five in the game on Friday).

The Teams

Australia (from):

Aaron Finch (capt), Michael Klinger, Travis Head, Ben Dunk, Moises Henriques, Ashton Turner, Tim Paine (wk), James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake.

Ben Dunk and Jhye Richardson didn’t play in Melbourne so could be in line for a game, however, if Australia prefers that the same squad atone for their own efforts, there might not be changes.

Sri Lanka (from):

Upal Tharanga (c), Niroshan Dickwella, Asela Gunarathna, Dilshan Munaweera, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardena, Sachith Pathirana, Chamara Kapugedara, Seekuge Prassanna, Nuan Kulaskera, Isuru Udana, Dasun Chanaka, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Malinga, Vikum Sanjaya.Captain

Sri Lanka came through the series opener unscathed; they are unlikely to make changes aside from potentially resting Malinga and managing his comeback workloads.

The Key Players

Australia

Discarded then recalled captain Aaron Finch is the most experienced member of the Australian side and is therefore expected to lead the side diligently and score the bulk of their runs. With 29 matches under his belt he’s played significantly more cricket than his peers and needs to turn the 40-odd he made in Melbourne into a sixty or seventy; a score that will get Australia closer to 180 / 190. That said the signs were promising in game one.

Sri Lanka

Malinga has still got it. The biomechanics exception was back to his death bowling best on Friday night; slinging down four overs for just 29 runs as well as picking up two wickets. The left armer will be pleased with his return from a serious knee injury and he’ll be especially pleased with the way he was used by his captain – short bursts with both old and new ball. He’ll be dangerous again tomorrow night. Hopefully, he’s not rested.

The Match Odds*

Australia – $1.40

Sri Lanka – $2.87

*Odds from Bet365.

The Prediction

An inexperienced Australian side is an interesting beast. On one hand, they’re Australian and they’ll bounce back strongly from the loss at their home of cricket, but the other hand says, they’re still just a raw side; playing a team that has now won three out of their last four games in the format. The bookies have given them more of a chance in game two, but the home side is still the favourites – we’ll go with them too because we want a series decider.

The Best Bets

As a cricketer, Travis Head makes a lot of starts. He very rarely falls for scores of less than ten. As an example, in his last 11 innings’ in ODI cricket he has failed to pass 24 just once. In amongst those scores are four 50s and one hundred. Find a market that predicts Head will fail and bet against it or take the $4.33 at Bet365 on offer for him to top score.

Malinga Returns to Cricket in Secondary Series

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Much has been made of the scheduling impacting the two sides ahead of the three match Twenty20 series between Sri Lanka and Australia that gets underway at the MCG on Friday. Critics, including Australia’s vice-captain, David Warner, have been vocal in their condemnation of the series that starts just seven days after Sri Lanka spent three months touring South Africa and finishes one day before Australia are due to take on India in an away test series.

Optimists, however, see it as an opportunity to blood new talent and Australia has done that in spades. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has used it to welcome back old talent in the form of Lasith Malinga. The mercurial left armer returns after 12 months away from the game through injury.

Question marks over his body and form and that of some of the Australian newbies should still provide enough value in game one.

The Last Time These Two Met

Australia has taken the honours in the previous two meetings between the sides that were contested in Sri Lanka in September 2016. That said, it’s a vastly different Australian side now than it was then. The bulk of Australia’s side are either rested, injured or have been sent to India to familiarise themselves with conditions ahead of the four-test series starting at the end of February.

Perhaps the Australians haven’t noted the 6-4 winning record the Sri Lankans enjoy in the overall head to head.

The Teams

Australia (from):

Aaron Finch (capt), Michael Klinger, Travis Head, Ben Dunk, Moises Henriques, Ashton Turner, Tim Paine (wk), James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake.

Michael Klinger is in line for an international debut at the age of 36, while Tim Paine could get his first game for Australia after six years since his last. Fast bowler Jhye Richardson and all-rounder Ashton Turner are uncapped and could debut.

Sri Lanka (likely):

Upal Tharanga (c), Niroshan Dickwella, Asela Gunarathna, Dilshan Munaweera, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardena, Sachith Pathirana, Chamara Kapugedara, Seekuge Prassanna, Nuan Kulaskera, Isuru Udana, Dasun Chanaka, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Malinga, Vikum Sanjaya.

Captain Angelo Matthews is missing with a hamstring injury, and replacement skipper, Dinesh Chandimal has been dropped. That leaves Upul Tharanga to lead the young side, who despite being underdogs here, could have some confidence under their belts after winning the T20 series against South Africa last month.

The Key Players

Australia

Pat Cummins is quickly becoming a serious wicket-taking threat in the short format cricket after returning from injury. But more than that he’s actually learning to be pretty useful with the bat. Cummins was used as high as six for his Sydney Thunder BBL team and ably supported Marcus Stones during his unreliable Auckland effort recently. He’ll be a threat with his short-pitched bowling, as he will be with the blade.

Sri Lanka

The star of the recent series win against the highly fancied South Africans was Niroshan Dickwella. The opening batsman made scores of 43, 22 and 68 in a low scoring series to overshadow AB de Villiers’ return to cricket. He also topped the run scoring charts at an average of 39 in the ODI series that followed, proving he’ll be a threat in this series.

The Match Odds

Australia – $1.28 at Palmerbet.

Sri Lanka – $4.10 at Sportsbet.

The Prediction

While the Sri Lankans head the overall meetings between the two sides and have won all three of their previous T20 games in South Africa, it’s hard to see them getting the better of the admittedly weaker home side after such a draining tour of South Africa. Australia to win by 30 runs or 4 wickets.

The Best Bets

Ben Dunk, coming off an incredible Big Bash season (which surprisingly saw him miss out on the squad first time around) is great money to top score at $5 from Sportsbet. They’re also offering $4 for Cummins taking the most wickets for the home side – both are great options.

Cricket World Cup: Sri Lanka v South Africa – QF 1 Recap

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South Africa managed to shake the most unlikeliest monkey off their backs by finally winning a knockout game at a Cricket World Cup and in the process resigning two off the modern greats to an early plane ride home.

The word choke was used on more than a few occasion in the lead up to the first Cricket World Cup quarterfinal of 2015, and it could have been used afterwards too, just not in the manner that many predicted.  The Heimlich manoeuvre was needed, but on the Sri Lanka batsman not the South African team, after Dale Steyn, Kyle Abbot, Morne Morkel, JP Duminy and Imran Tahir choked the life out of the Sri Lankan batsman and restricted them to just 134.  Bowled out in the 38th over; a total that was never going to be enough, and ultimately costing Sri Lanka their place in the tournament as Quinton de Kock rediscovered some form to see South Africa home by 9 wickets.

The loss is a sad way to farewell two exceptionally gifted cricketers and gentlemen of the game.  Kumar Sangakkar and Mahela Jayawardene played their final international matches in the defeat, leaving an enduring legacy on Sri Lankan and world cricket.  A partnership of two more elegant batsman will never be seen in the game.

Unfortunately the Sydney crowd, made up of predominantly Sri Lankan fans, didn’t see any partnerships of note, let alone one from their departing idols.  Kyle Abbot struck in the first over and South Africa didn’t look back.  Abbot removed the experimental opener, Kusal Perera – who bizarrely replaced Lahiru Thirimanne the incumbent opener who had made 261 runs in the top of the order in the tournament already – and when Steyn got Dilshan in the fifth over the writing was on the wall.

Sangakkara couldn’t find his record-creaking lead up form, instead scratching around for 6 off 42 balls at one stage in the face of accurate bowling from all of the South African bowlers.  The pressure told on all.  Thirimanne looked the best of the batsman and threatened to help Sangakkara out of his deep hole, but when he became the first of seven wickets to fall to spin the wheels came off and Sri Lanka were bowled out for the second lowest quarterfinal total in World Cup history.  Sangakkara was ninth man out for 45, taking his World Cup total to 541.

South Africa commenced the chase prior to the Dinner break.  They lost a wicket in that time, Amla falling to Malinga, but also ticked off 40 of the required runs.  Post break, de Kock dismantled the short pitched bowling plan and played himself into some much needed form.  He ended on 78* and justified the decision by the selectors to preserve with him at the top of the order (he had earlier taken two good catches with the gloves too).

The confidence of AB de Villers in the news conferences prior to the match was infectious and his public support of his beleaguered keeper-batsman has obviously done wonders for the individual and the team.  They have sent a real statement of intent to their fellow semifinalists, all of whom have much easier games to make it there.

South Africa 134 for 1 (de Kock 78*) beat Sri Lanka 133 (Sangakkara 45, Tahir 4-26, Duminy 3-29) by 9 wickets

Cricket World Cup: Sri Lanka v South Africa – QF 1 Preview

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The first quarterfinal of the Cricket World Cup is also likely to be the most competitive.  After four gruelling weeks (said with a hint of sarcasm in the direction of the teams that had eight days between games) eight quarterfinalists have been found to vie for the most coveted trophy in international cricket.

The first of those quarterfinals is played today in Sydney, featuring the runners up of the past two tournaments against a team that has never won a knockout match at a Cricket World Cup.

South Africa’s stumbling record is so underwhelming that its nigh on impossible to consider they won’t remedy it this time around.  They have posted 400 twice in the tournament, they have the best batsman in the world and a fearsome new ball bowling attack.

Sri Lanka on the other hand, thrive in knockout matches (barring finals perhaps), and have over 1100 ODI matches between just three of their players (Mahela, Kumar and Dilshan).  That is a strength, but it’s also a weakness as they often rely too heavily on those three names.  To book a semifinal date with New Zealand / West Indies they’ll need to extract performances out of Malinga, Matthews and Thirimanne, all who have at times played significant roles in this World Cup.

It should be an absolute cracker.

The Last Time These Two Met

Of the last six matches the two team have played (dating back to July 2013) the teams have won three games apiece.  Interestingly, none of the most recent matches have been close.  Each win has been by over 56 runs (with an average winning margin of 85.6 runs) or by more 8 wickets or more.  The most recent ODI – in July 2014 – resulted in South Africa winning by 82 runs in Hambantota.

Both teams lost twice during the Pool stage of this year’s tournament.

The Teams

South Africa (likely): 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 AB de Villiers (capt), 5 JP Duminy, 6 David Miller, 7 Rilee Russouw/ Farhaan Behardien, 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Morne Morkel, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Imran Tahir

South Africa only have one selection decision to ponder.  It could have been two given Quinton de Kock’s horrific form, but AB de Villiers looks reluctant to keep and has thrown his weight behind the youngster.  That leaves a number seven decision between Rilee Rossouw, who has contributed nicely in the tournament thus far, and Farhaan Behardien.  Behardien’s ability to send down some overs might be enough to get him in (he also smoked it against the UAE in their last Pool game).

Sri Lanka (likely): 1 Lahiru Thirimanne, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Kusal Perera, 6 Angelo Mathews (capt), 7 Thisara Perara, 8 Seekkuge Prasanna/ Rangana Herath, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Suranga Lakmal/ Dushmantha Chameera

Sri Lanka has arguably had the most injury issues to contend with of the major tournament contenders.  Injury concerns remain over Herath in the only possible change to a settled side from the team that beat Scotland.  If Herath’s finger is no good, Seekkuge Prasanna will play (and face a heap of pressure).

The Key Players

Kumar Sangakkara – The tournament’s leading runscorer is in the type of batting nirvana that batsman very rarely visit.  Least of all at the age of 37.  Sanga has already set the record for the most consecutive ODI hundreds during the tournament, peeling off four in a row after failing against Afghanistan.  He’s scored them gracefully too, demonstrating textbook cricket shots still belong in the era of reverse paddles and scoops.  He’s obviously the vital cog in the batting order along with Tilakaratne Dilshan, and South Africa will be on their way to the semis if they can remove him early.

AB de Villiers – The third top run scorer of the tournament is also his side’s key player.  Throughout the tournament de Villiers has shouldered the hopes of a nation, and responded positively, confidently when probed about their form or ability to win the tournament.  It’s the type of belief that makes hime such a dangerous batsman.  His ability to score runs quickly is a frightening prospect for the Sri Lankan bowlers who have wilted in the face of such attacks from Maxwell and McCullum recently.  AB just needs a little help from his mates.

The Match Odds*

South Africa – $1.45

Sri Lanka – $2.75

*Courtesy of Ladbrokes Australia.

The Prediction

The biggest question mark hanging over this game is the dreaded c-word.  Not choke, but chase.  South Africa have not won a game at this World Cup when they have been asked to chase a target.  That of course leads to allegations of choking but the chasing is the bigger mental block at the moment.

Nonetheless, we’re backing the South Africans to display some better c-words today.  Class, composure, confidence to name but a few, and to win the game by 40 runs or 4 wickets.

The Best Bets

Quinton de Kock is an obvious roughie to Top Score at $5.50, but his 53 tournament runs at 8.83 may put you off.

The Hashim Amla (Top Runs) / Morne Morkel (Top Wickets) double looks like great money at $16.00

Finally, a quick double up is on offer if a Sri Lankan batsman top scores in the game.  That is at $2.20.

Cricket World Cup: Day 25 Recap

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Kumar Sangakkara became the first player in the history of one-day international cricket to score four consecutive hundreds with another classy display against Scotland.  Sangakarra has now racked up 496 tournament runs in 6 digs, including tons against Bangladesh, Australia, England and Scotland.  His and Tilakaratne Dilshan’s hundreds were enough to see them past Scotland by 148 runs on Day 25 of the World Cup.  Here’s a rundown of the action:

Day 25 Results

Sri Lanka v Scotland

As soon as Angelo Matthews won the toss, the cricketing world began to believe that Sangakkara could do the unthinkable.  And when Thirimanne was dismissed with 44 overs remaining, the chance of Sangakkara scoring four hundreds back to back was almost inevitable.  To his credit Sangakkara still batted for his team, still scored his runs at a rate of 130 per 100 balls faced, and sure enough got to three figures.

Tilakaratne also scored a hundred, largely forgotten though, next to Sanga’s effort.  The pair put on a masterful stand of 195, that was capped off with a rapid 51 from Matthews, and saw Sri Lanka through to an unbeatable 363/9.

Sangakkara as he so deserves, will get most of the credit.  He becomes the first player to score four hundreds at a World Cup, and has surely announced his retirement some 30 years too soon.  This guy could bat on for years and still chalk up the personal milestones as frequently as he does.

Scotland were probably in awe too.  That might explain their struggle to get close to the 363.  That or 363 is a huge total and they never really had a chance.  Kyle Coetzer, one player who might’ve given the total a run was out second ball of the innings and from there Sri Lanka just eased through the motions.  Freddie Coleman and Preston Mommsen scored half centuries to add respectability to the total, but no more.

We thought Mommsen was in for a big performance, and although he didn’t pay out, his innings was one of the few standouts in another disappointing batting effort from the Scots.  Kulasekara and Chameera were the most successful bowlers with three wickets apiece.

Kumar’s quest for 5 begins on 18 March against a yet to be determined opponent.

Sri Lanka 363 for 9 (Sangakkara 124, Dilshan 104, Mathews 51, Davey 3-63) beat Scotland 215 (Coleman 70, Mommsen 60, Kulasekara 3-20, Chameera 3-51) by 148 runs