Sri Lanka and Australia will lock horns in the first of the five-match ODI series in Pallekele. This game is set to take place on June 14. The visitors won the three-match T20I series by 2-1, and would be looking to continue their good form. They have arrived in the Asian country with a full-strength squad unlike in Pakistan, where they rested their first-choice players for the white-ball games.
As for this series, the Aussies are firm favourites against an inexperienced Sri Lanka side. However, they still wouldn’t be underestimating the Lankan Lions. After all, they do have a bunch of good spinners who can exploit the conditions during the series. In this article, we will discuss the top five players to watch out for.
Top Five Players To Watch Out For:
1. David Warner
The left-hander was in decent form during the Indian T20 League 2022 as he scored 432 runs in 12 games at an average of 42 including five fifties. He carried his form in the recently-concluded T20I series against Sri Lanka. In three games, he amassed 130 runs at an average of 65. Thus, he could be the one to watch out for.
2. Aaron Finch
The Australian skipper had a good time with the bat during the T20Is. He scored 114 runs at an average of 57. If he can continue to avoid planting his front leg on the off-stump, and become susceptible to LBWs, then he can certainly continue his good form.
3. Dasun Shanaka
The Sri Lanka skipper won the last T20I for his side from a difficult equation as 58 runs were needed off 17 balls with one ball to spare. While batting in the lower middle-order, he has the ability to change the course of the game, which was visible during the unbeaten fifty he scored against Australia.
4. Wanindu Hasaranga
The all-rounder carried his Indian T20 League 2022 form in the series. He took five wickets at an average of 18.60 and striking at 12. Hence, he can prove to be dangerous for the opposition batters. Besides, leg-spinners have been very important to teams in limited-overs cricket of late.
5. Josh Hazlewood
In the T20I series, he took six wickets at an average of 9.50 and striking at 12. With the new-ball, the tall pacer can trouble the batters irrespective of the kind of wicket. He can create problems for the batters in the series
