Sri Lanka vs Australia 3rd T20I Match Prediction - Who will win today’s match between Sri Lanka and Australia?

Australia have already clinched the three-match T20I series by winning the first two games convincingly over the hosts Sri Lanka. In the first game, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 128 in 19.3 overs after the Sri Lankan top-order surrendered to the Aussie pacer Josh Hazlewood, who finished with bowling figures of four wickets for 16 runs in four overs. The Aussies completed the chase in only 14 overs without losing a wicket, courtesy of David Warner and skipper Aaron Finch, who scored 70* and 61* respectively.

Dasun Shanaka’s men put up another average batting performance in the second game, scoring only 124 runs in 20 overs for the loss of nine wickets, and this time, it was pacer Kane Richardson who caused the damage with figures of four wickets for 30 runs in his four overs. Though the visitors lost seven wickets in their chase, they won the game with 13 balls to spare, thanks to Matthew Wade who played a run-a-ball 26* and saw his team home.

Sri Lanka’s major concern has been their batters who have failed to make big scores. If there has been a silver lining for the Asian team, it is in their number three batter Charith Asalanka who has played crucial knocks of 38 and 39 in the two games. Although it is a dead rubber, Sri Lanka would go into the final T20I match wanting to win and end the series with some positives to look back on. 

Match details

Venue: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

Date and Time: June 11, 7:00 PM IST

Telecast and Live Streaming: Sony Ten Network, Sony LIV.

Pitch Report

The Pallekele pitch usually offers an even contest between bat and bowl, but the team winning the toss must bat first. Of the 21 T20Is which have produced a result at this ground, the team batting first has gone on to win 13 of those. The stadium has also seen some big totals, including Australia’s 263 against Sri Lanka back in 2016, and Sri Lanka’s 215 against West Indies in 2015.

Probable Playing XIs for Sri Lanka vs Australia

Sri Lanka

Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, Maheesh Theekshana.

Australia

Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Agar, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc.

Probable Top Performers

Probable best batter of the match

David Warner:

Aussie opener David Warner has been the top-scorer of the series with 91 runs in two games, just ahead of his skipper who has scored 85. Warner has looked to attack the Sri Lanka bowlers in the powerplay and set the tone of the innings, which is visible in his strike rate of 168.51 for the series. He is also yet to be dismissed by a bowler after facing 54 balls, However, he was run out in the second game for 21.

Probable best bowler of the match

Josh Hazlewood:

Hazlewood is having a good run of games since the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and now with Australia. He has been bowling with a lot of discipline and consistency, bagging 20 wickets in 12 games with an economy of 8.11 in the IPL, and four wickets in two games with an economy of 4.00 against the Lankans in this series.

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.