Australia vs Sri Lanka 4th T20I Match Prediction - Who will win today’s match between AUS vs SL?

Australia would be taking on Sri Lanka in the fourth of the five-match T20 International series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Even though the home team has already won the series, there is plenty to look forward to for the two sides. Sri Lanka came very close in the second T20, taking the game to a super over, but was beaten comprehensively in the other two games of the series.

For them, it would be yet another chance to try out their squad and get some valuable experience against the current World Champions. Australia would admit they have not yet played the perfect game and a few chinks in their armor are visible. Although they have been prolific with the ball, the batters are yet to put on a flawless show.

However, Australia are likely to be going into the fourth T20 International without any of their pace spearheads in Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc with neither of them travelling to Melbourne.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has relied heavily on its spinners, especially Wanindu Hasaranga. However, the mystery spinner is in isolation having already missed the previous game owing to a positive COVID-19 test result. Sri Lanka is thus likely to miss out on his services in the next encounter as well.

Match Details

Australia vs Sri Lanka, 4th T20I

Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Date & Time: 18th February at 1:40 PM IST and 19:10 PM Local Time

Live Streaming: Sony LIV

Pitch Report:

The surface at MCG should be a good one for the batters if the recently concluded BBL is anything to go by. The pitch usually plays true with some purchase on offer for the spinners. Sri Lanka would like to exploit whatever spin they can get off the surface. However, it could well be a high scoring encounter. The captain winning the toss would like to bat first on this surface.

Average Score: 195 (Last 5 T20 games)

Record of chasing teams: Won 3 out of the last 10 T20 games.

Probable Playing XIs for AUS VS SL

Australia

Ashton Agar, Ben McDermott, Aaron Finch (c), Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Daniel Sams, Jhye Richardson, Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson

Sri Lanka

Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dasun Shanaka (C), Chamika Karunaratne, Jeffrey Vandersey, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Shiran Fernando

AUS vs SL Head to Head

Overall – 20 Australia – 12 Sri Lanka – 8

Probable top performers

Probable best batter of the match:

Glenn Maxwell

After a couple of low scores in the first two matches of the series, Glenn Maxwell found some form in the previous game. He was the top scorer for Australia in the low scoring encounter with 39 off 26 balls striking at a rate of 150. Australia would be banking on their star batter to continue from where he left and score big on his BBL home ground.

Probable best bowler of the match:

Maheesh Theekshana

Maheesh Theekshana was the silver lining for Sri Lanka in an otherwise gloomy outing in Canberra. He struck on the very first ball of the Australian innings sending back the in-form opener, Ben McDermott. The off-break bowler finished the game with his figures reading 3-24. With the MCG assisting spin and also taking into consideration the large boundaries, Theekshana could ask plenty of questions to the batters if he bowls the right lengths.

Today’s match prediction: Australia to win the match.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.